Governance Officer Volunteer Roles in Manchester

We are seeking a passionate and experienced finance professional to join Gaddum’s Board of Trustees. Our work is evolving, and we need a financial expert to guide us into the future.

What we're looking for: A background in finance, accounting, or auditing, with the ability to oversee financial governance. Experience in budgeting, financial strategy, or holding organisations accountable for financial performance. A commitment to using your skills to support a charity that is making a real impact in the community. Whether you are a qualified accountant, have financial expertise in the public, private, or third sector, or have experience working with charity finance, we want to hear from you. 

About Gaddum, and our financial needs

Our vision is for every individual and community we serve to have equitable health, wealth and self. As a trusted charity serving Greater Manchester for nearly 200 years, we are dedicated to promoting wellbeing, challenging inequalities, and empowering individuals and communities.

At the core of Gaddum’s work is the need to allocate resources effectively and efficiently. With the increasing challenges of securing funding in the third sector, robust financial oversight is essential. A Finance Trustee will bring the expertise needed to oversee the charity’s financial strategies, ensuring that we operate within our means while continuing to deliver high-quality services to the community. Your knowledge will help guide budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with charity regulations and standards.

Additionally, a Finance Trustee will support the wider board in making informed decisions by offering clear insights into the charity’s financial status and the potential risks and opportunities ahead. This strategic guidance will be invaluable as Gaddum navigates a complex funding landscape and seeks to diversify its income streams. Our vision is for every individual and community we serve to have equitable health, wealth and self. As a trusted charity serving Greater Manchester for nearly 200 years, we are dedicated to promoting wellbeing, challenging inequalities, and empowering individuals and communities. 2 By adding a finance professional to our board, Gaddum will strengthen its governance structure and build on nearly 200 years of service, ensuring we continue to thrive for decades to come.

With a focus on ensuring financial sustainability, the Finance Trustee will also contribute to the development of long-term financial plans that align with Gaddum’s mission of promoting wellbeing, challenging inequalities, and empowering communities. Your finance expertise will work closely with the Head of Finance, enhance the board’s ability to make well-rounded, informed decisions that safeguard Gaddum’s future and extend our impact across the region.

By adding a finance professional to our board, Gaddum will strengthen its governance structure and build on nearly 200 years of service, ensuring we continue to thrive for decades to come.

Why become a trustee?

Becoming a charity trustee is an incredibly rewarding experience. On a personal level, it offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on causes you are passionate about, contributing to the wellbeing of communities and individuals in need. The sense of fulfilment that comes from helping shape the future of a charity and seeing the tangible difference it makes in people's lives is unmatched.

Professionally, trusteeship provides a unique opportunity to develop skills in governance, leadership, and strategic planning. Working alongside other dedicated professionals, you gain insights into how organisations are run and expand your network in the process. The responsibility of overseeing financial, legal, and operational decisions strengthens your decision-making skills, while the collaboration required fosters valuable teamwork and communication abilities.

If you’re ready to make a difference and support Gaddum’s continued success, get in touch with our CEO, Ben Whalley, or Chair, Elaine Mills, for an informal chat. Visit our website for more information.

Instructions on expressing an interest: Please complete an Expression of Interest on one side of A4 which outlines how you meet the essential (and, if applicable, desirable) criteria below and forward it along with a current CV to Gaddum's HR team.

Closing date: This is a rolling recruitment, so as-and-when Expression of Interests come through from candidates we will respond.

Next steps: We will respond to all submitted applications within three working days to inform applicants of the outcome, and interviews will be held at the earliest convenience.

Lead the Charge for Animal Welfare! Join the League Against Cruel Sports as Trustee (Treasurer)

Passionate about animal welfare? Ready to make a real impact? We're looking for a finance professional to join us in ending cruelty to animals in sport.

About us:

We're dedicated to creating a kinder society where animals are protected from persecution in the name of sport. We've been at the forefront of change, instrumental in landmark legislation like the Hunting Act 2004. Through our wildlife reserves, investigations and advocacy, we're driving tangible change and standing up for those who can't speak for themselves. The League operates in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, striving to protect animals from the horrific acts of hunting, shooting and animal fighting.

Your role:

As a trustee, you'll have a shared responsibility with 6-10 fellow board members to play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction, ensuring compliance and supporting our CEO. You'll lead policy, monitor financial stability, identify and manage risks, and as a League ambassador you’ll champion our cause.

As a trustee you will attend eight board meetings per year (seven virtually) and the AGM.  In line with the Charity Commission regulations, no payment will be made for this role, but all expenses will be reimbursed.

Skills/knowledge:

• Accountancy qualification
• Proven experience in accounting with at least two years in a senior role and ideally an understanding of charity finance issues  
• Expertise in financial forecasting and budgeting
• Inspirational leadership
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong analytical and decision making skills
• Financially astute and good attention to detail

It’s not necessary to have previous board experience as training can be provided.

We particularly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds as we want our board to be more representative.

Why join us?

By becoming a trustee at the League, you'll be part of a dynamic team driving real change for animals across the UK. You'll have the opportunity to make a tangible difference, influence policy, and be at the forefront of the fight against animal cruelty.

This position is an excellent development opportunity if you’re taking your first steps to develop wider board level and governance experience.

To apply:

If you're ready to lend your expertise to a cause that truly matters, please submit your CV accompanied by a covering letter outlining your motivations, interests and how your skills and experience fulfil the requirements of the role.  We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will respond to all applications.

Recruitment process: Applications will be reviewed against pre-identified requirements from the job specification, followed by a single interview stage.

Together, we can redefine what is acceptable and create a better world for animals.

Do you love trees, woodlands and beautiful homegrown timber?

Woodland Heritage is looking to recruit a Vice Chair and Chair to its trustee board.

You would be joining a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers and a wider staff group who are developing exciting plans for the charity’s future.

Experience of the charity / woodland / forestry / timber / making sectors is helpful but certainly not essential.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of people and we want to listen to your ideas and benefit from your guidance. If you have any questions about this, please do ask.

What is essential is compatibility with the charity’s mission and values and the desire to bring your life’s experiences and skills to the table.

If this isn’t the right time or opportunity for you, do you have someone in mind you could share this opportunity with?

Being a trustee at Woodland Heritage is an engaging, thought provoking opportunity to make a difference. You will receive insight and access to remarkable people, amazing woodlands, fine timbers, beautiful furniture, stunning workshops and so much more.

Woodland Heritage is creating a thriving UK wood culture that benefits our environment, all people and our economy. We do this by championing the good use of home-grown timber from sustainable, productive woodlands for the benefit of present and future generations. Through a combination of demonstration sites, research, education, membership and outreach, we build on the wisdom and skills of the past to weather the challenges of tomorrow.

Put simply: Grow trees. Use wood. For our future.

Time commitment, events and meetings

In addition to bi-monthly trustee meetings, which usually take place virtually and in the evening (though a few times per year these will be in person or hybrid meetings for which reasonable expenses will of course be paid), there will be additional time and involvement required to undertake these roles effectively. The role of chair in particular would suit someone who wants to give several hours of their time per week.

Skills & Experience

There are many ways to be an effective trustee and you can read more about the essentials on the government's website. You may have skills in the following areas:

· Governance

· Finance

· Risk management

· Fundraising and Marketing

· Business

· Forestry & Making

· Culture & People

Supporting you

You will be supported with an initial induction with the staff team. This will be followed by activities to familiarise yourself with the organisation’s activities and your governance role.

Once you have become familiar with these you will be able to get more involved in those things which you find exciting and rewarding.

Along the way you will be supported by the staff team and trustees to make a real difference!

Your application

· Applications close on the 3rd January 2025.

· Week commencing 6th January 2025: We will contact all candidates to inform them of the shortlisting outcome.

· Week commencing the 13th January 2025: virtual meetings will take place to discuss your application and to answer any questions you have.

· Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to meet the trustees at a trustee meeting on the 20th January 2025, held online.

· We would be delighted to speak with you at any stage if you have questions or would like to learn more!

Thank you for your interest in becoming a trustee!

Welcome to Unlock YOUR Potential, a brand new dynamic charity starting up thats dedicated to transforming lives and empowering individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We are passionately committed to creating new pathways for positive change through our comprehensive programmes and holistic support.

Our Vision: We envision a world where every individual has the opportunity to unlock their full potential and make meaningful contributions to society.

Our Mission: Our mission is to empower, inspire, and support those facing barriers and challenges. We deliver tailored programmes that foster skills, confidence, and networks, paving the way for success.

Our Values:

• Passion: Our work is fuelled by a deep care for the communities we serve.

• Results: We are driven by the tangible outcomes and achievements of our beneficiaries.

• Innovation: We constantly seek innovative methods to enhance our programmes.

• Collaboration: We believe in the power of partnership and inclusivity.

• Integrity: Our operations are marked by professionalism, ethics, and transparency.

At Unlock YOUR Potential, we will be offering a suite of transformative programmes and services designed to empower individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our holistic approach will address key areas such as employment, education, life skills, mentoring, and personal development.

Its an exciting time to launch our new charity with the new governments focus on getting people back to work or in training and development, there will be plenty of opportunities for us to make a huge impact but we need to set the foundations and get ourselves ready to launch. 

Chief Operating Officer (COO):

We are looking for a Chief Operating Officer, who can join our new charity start-up and help us build a solid foundation and help to build a strategy and plan to get Unlock YOUR Potential set-up and running, providing our key services to those who need it.

As COO you will be responsible for the daily operations and long-term strategy of Unlock YOUR Potential. You will be responsible for;

1. Operational Management: You will oversee the charity's day-to-day operations, ensuring that activities run smoothly and efficiently.

2. Strategic Planning: You will work closely with the Founder and CEO and other senior leaders to develop and implement strategies that align with the charity's mission and goals.

3. Resource Allocation: You will manage the allocation of resources, including human, financial, and physical assets, to maximise the charity's impact.

4. Performance Monitoring: You will track and assess the performance of various departments and initiatives to ensure targets are met and identify areas for improvement.

5. Policy Implementation: You will ensure that organisational policies and procedures are created, followed and updated as needed.

6. Stakeholder Engagement: You will maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, partners, and regulatory bodies, to support the charity's objectives.

Join us in making a difference and unlocking the potential of disadvantaged people in our community!

Unlock YOUR Potential

• BREAKING BARRIERS
• UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

Are you vegan or vegetarian? Do you think it is important that older people should have access to quality vegan/vegetarian food when in need of care? Would you like to ensure that older people can find trustworthy information and advice on healthy eating and rights while sustaining their vegan or vegetarian diet?

Vegetarian for Life (VfL) is the only UK charity specifically dedicated to supporting older vegans and vegetarians. Our trustees work with the CEO and operational team to ensure good governance and realise the strategic aims and development of this unique charity. VfL has experienced sustained growth and impact since it was formed in 2007 and is highly respected for the breadth and quality of its work across care, advocacy, and catering sectors.

To prepare for changes in our board membership during 2025 we are seeking new trustees. Experience of business development including income generation would be particularly welcome.

 We also seek someone who can lead the board and bring experience of:

• Charity Governance (as a trustee/chair).

The role of trustee is a voluntary one although expenses are paid when incurred in connection with the role. The board meets quarterly, mainly via video conferencing but with at least one meeting a year in Manchester where VfL is based. Full board meetings are held on a Saturday. Some communications occur between meetings (usually by WhatsApp or email) and occasionally additional (short) meetings are required to make decisions timeously – these will always be scheduled by arrangement with members.

To be considered for this role 

You should have the skills and experience outlined above and be committed to the aims of VfL. You should be able to articulate the contribution you believe you can make to furthering these aims. To find out more about the charity visit our website.

To apply 

Please send a covering letter along with a CV of no more than 2 pages FAO Chair, Dr Barbara Sharp. We usually offer an informal chat about the role to applicants in the first instance prior to a formal recruitment process including interview.

Would you like to be part of our future?  After a period of growth Grassroots Suicide Prevention are seeking to recruit further trustees.

We are a national suicide prevention charity, and our vision is a future where more lives are saved from suicide. We empower people to help saves lives from suicide through connecting, educating, and campaigning nationally:

· Connecting: We listen and connect people to support through our Stay Alive app, tools, and resources to help keep people safe from suicide.

· Educating: We offer bespoke and evidence-based consultation and training, co-designed to empower individuals, organisations, and communities to develop the skills and confidence to help save lives.

· Campaigning: We help remove the stigma around suicide. We know that most suicides are preventable with timely intervention and the right support. We raise awareness through campaigning on the ground and influencing at a strategic level.

As a Trustee, you will be joining a charity in a strong position with an ambition to build on our successes.  We will be looking to build on existing activities and developing new innovative projects.

Trustees are our most senior leaders. They set our strategic direction, make sure we’re using our resources effectively and ensure we’re having the greatest possible impact in the communities in which we work. Trustees are expected to undertake duties in a manner that reflects GSP’s values and ethos.

We are particularly looking for Trustees with skills and experience in one of the following areas:

· clinical in suicide prevention and mental health

· academic in suicide prevention and mental health

· frontline support both online/digital and face to face

· fundraising and/or someone who sits across marketing, comms and fundraising

· business development and networking

· charity experience, ideally a CEO or former CEO who has grown a local charity into a national charity

We are a friendly and welcoming organisation and are passionate about what we do. You’ll be joining our Board of Trustees at an exciting time with lots of opportunities to build on our success over the next few years. If you have the time and enthusiasm to be part of something amazing, please get in touch.

We welcome applications from those with lived experience.

If you would like to apply and/or find out more about this position, please see the job description attached.

Closing date for applications is January 6th 2025.

If you are viewing this advert after January 6th and are interested in the role we would still love to hear from you, so do please get in touch.

The Trustee Chairperson will provide strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring the charity’s mission is fulfilled. The Chairperson will be pivotal in steering the organisation towards achieving its goals while maintaining its Christian ethos. This role requires a blend of strategic vision, leadership, and a deep commitment to Christian values.

Girls Brigade is a prominent Christian charity committed to, help children and young people to grow as followers of Jesus through providing weekly activities to support their physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. 

We have a fantaastic opportunity for you to join our Board of Trustees in a growing and expanding organisation that makes a difference in the lives of women and girls, preventing exploitation and trafficking and advocating for a life of freedom, dignity and empowerment.

Emerge Worldwide is a humanitarian organisation whose purpose is to advocate and raise awareness against sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, focused on women and girls. Our activities provide interventions, tools and resources in prevention work, as we seek to end it everywhere. 

We help and support those suffering trauma, and who are victims of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking and empower survivors of this horrific crime, to go on and live independent successful lives.

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. 

We are seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Trustees, who will partner with us in our dedication and fight to combatting this heinous crime. We are keen to receive your application if you have human rights, fundraising, or sexual exploitation / sex trafficking experience.

We are keen to receive applications with experience in any of the following areas:

• human rights

• fundraising / income generation

• asylum seekers / refugees

• sexual exploitation / sex trafficking

Your experience will help to support Emerge Worldwide to engage in high-level discussions and actions, which will position and promote our voice and impact, create positive change within the humanitarian and modern slavery sectors and deliver on our purpose to end sexual exploitation and sex trafficking everywhere.

Duties

• Support and provide advice on Emerge Worldwide’s purpose, vision, mission, goals and activities. 

• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

• Oversee Emerge Worldwide’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress. 

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.

• Keep abreast of changes in Emerge Worldwide’s operating environment.

• Contribute to regular reviews of Emerge Worldwide’s own governance. Attend Board meetings and adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Emerge Worldwide’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.

• Contribute to the broader promotion of Emerge Worldwide’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Personal skills and qualities

• Enthusiasm and commitment to Emerge Worldwide vision, mission, purpose and work.

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member with good governance.

• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussions. 

• Good independent judgement.

• A strong personal commitment to equality and diversity.

• Willingness to lead according to our values.

• Fulfilling the criteria of a charity trustee the essential trustee 

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a minimum of 2 years of office

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending quarterly Board meetings annually - currently meetings are held remotely.

• Trustees are encouraged to attend all staff in-person meetings which run 3 times annually plus any relevant training days.

You will be part of a professional, friendly and skilled Board of Trustees.

We are a welcoming organisation, dedicated to creating a positive and engaging experience where you’ll feel valued, inspired, and empowered to bring your ideas to life.

Apply and help us end sexual exploitation and sex trafficking for good!

Application:

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation for the role and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. 

If you do have any questions, our HR Manager can arrange to speak with you or communicate with you by email.

Please note that we will request references, and a DBS check will be required due to the nature of our work.

We are looking for a treasurer to join Screen Share’s Board of Trustees. 

We are looking for someone with experience in a charity finance, treasurer or finance director role.

Principal Tasks:

• Regularly supporting and co-facilitating the reporting of financial information at Board meetings, overseeing the production of budgets, forecasts, funding applications and annual statutory accounts.
• Provision of specialist knowledge and experience to key staff – specifically the Founder and Chief Executive Office – in the role of financial advisor on activities including but not limited to pensions, payroll, financial software and provisioning our financial processes
• Support the development of Screen Share’s social enterprise arm and provide strategic and commercial advice relating thereto.
• Ensure that the Board operates effectively in support of the charity’s mission and values. Ensure a high performing and effective Board by committing to regularly appraising its performance. Maintain high standards of governance and risk management.
• Ensure that the Board is as diverse as possible and provide the range of knowledge, skills and experience necessary to deliver the charity’s aims.
• Act as an Ambassador for the organisation through - but not limited to - attendance at relevant project and sector events to advocate the work of the Charity and to represent its interests in a variety of situations.

We particulalry welcome applications from those with experience of forced migration. 

Time Commitment

• Board meetings last 3 hours and are held quarterly, with two held in-person in London.
• Sub-Committee meetings are typically held online
• The Treasurer role is expected to provide additional time compared to other Trustees, likely compromising a total of 25 days across a calendar year.

All candidates should:

• Show commitment to Screen Share’s values and be able to uphold them personally
• Share the energy and drive of the organisation and be committed to their role
• Have a demonstrable passion for supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK

The Charity’s Commitment to Board Members

• Dates and times of Board meetings, Sub-Committee meetings, Board Strategy Day, and the Annual Review will be confirmed at the last board meeting of the preceding year
• Board meeting / Sub-Committee agendas and papers will be distributed at least five working days in advance of meetings

Are you passionate about children’s mental and physical health? Do you want to positively shape and impact children’s lives and create healthy, happy humans? Do you believe it matters and it matters now?

Who we are

Stormbreak seeks to embed mentally healthy movement programmes and services that reach and help every child requiring support at a preventative level through education, health and social sectors and to support trusted adults that live with, work with, care for and support children recognise, respond and regulate their mental health through movement now and in the future.

The role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for new Board Trustees and Advisers to stormbreak CIO,a registered charity in England and Wales that aims to improve children’s mental health through movement, equipping them with sustainable, transferable skills and coping strategies to thrive during the complex demands of growth into adult life.

We are looking for individuals to join our Board as Trustees or Advisers to broaden our representation and bring valuable new skills and experiences.We are seeking individuals who have some or all of the following:

• A commitment to stormbreak’s vision, including an interest in childrens’ wellbeing and/or physical activity

• Ability and willingness to act as an advocate for stormbreak to a broad audience.

• Desire and capacity to inspire and influence change across a wide range of stakeholders with children and young people’s mental and physical well-being

• Experience and commitment to lead and embed equality, diversity and inclusion.

• Experience at a senior level within a charity would also be desirable, whether employed or voluntary

The Organisation
PMH is one of the few charities in the UK that specifically helps parents who are supporting a child with mental health challenges and whose needs and impact for positive change are all too often overlooked. In most cases support is focused on the child and parents are left isolated, unaware of what the best approach is and have to try and cope on their own. The impact on families can be devastating. Friendships, social activities, work, school and family relationships can be disrupted. All energy is focused on the one child with their siblings often feeling neglected. For parents, realising that their child is struggling with their mental health, that they might be experiencing anxiety and depression, be suicidal, self-harming or have an eating disorder, is incredibly difficult to come to terms with and accept and they feel totally out of control. They often blame themselves for the struggles their child is enduring. It is the start of an emotional roller coaster, with many finding it hard to cope having nobody to turn to for help and support. 

To find out more about the work PMH do, visit the website.

Person Specification:
Preferred:
•  Lived experience of parenting a child with poor mental health
•  Technology, digital, and/or online community experience

Essential:
•  A passion for the aims of Parenting Mental Health and the energy and skill to balance connection to the founding principles with a sustainable, impactful future focused approach
•  Belief in the power of the parent to effect change in their family
•  Commitment to lived experience working and to developing deeper knowledge, process, and potential of our volunteers
•  Collaborative in approach
•  A proven track record of leadership in either the voluntary, public or commercial sectors
•  Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
•  Successful track record of achievement through their career
•  Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees

Further Information
For comprehensive information about Parenting Mental Health, the role responsibilities and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Information Document.

How to Apply
If you are passionate about joining PMH and believe you have the skills and experience we are looking for, please apply with the following:

•    An up-to-date CV
•    A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, detailing why you would like to be considered, your relevant experience and expertise and what you think you can bring to the role.

All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Trustees Unlimited (part of the Russam group). 

All applications should be emailed to Trustees Unlimited.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter, Managing Partner - Charities.

Closing date for applications: Monday 20th January 2025 
Interview with Parenting Mental Health: 30th / 31st January 2025 

We look forward to receiving your application. 

National Numeracy is looking to appoint up to four new trustees to join its charity Board, including a new Hon Treasurer, to replace retiring trustees, many who have reached their maximum term limit.

These are key appointments to help steer the charity through its next phase of development. The new trustees will be inspiring, dynamic and ambitious individuals who are committed to making a significant and lasting improvement to numeracy levels across the UK.

While we are open to applications from candidates with expertise and experience within a range of different professional disciplines, we are particularly interested in candidates that can demonstrate at least one of the following skill areas:

• Financial management and oversight, including accounting (for the role of Honourable Treasurer)
• Business development and fundraising
• Product and programme development
• Campaigning, PR and communications
• Legal
• Human resources
• Technology and online education
• Strategy and change management

Trustees are encouraged to get to know National Numeracy well and to respond to opportunities to involve themselves in National Numeracy activities. Beyond board meetings this might include supporting key initiatives, such as National Numeracy Day, meeting with prospective strategic funders, or providing guidance on major projects to the Executive team as appropriate.

Whilst the charity is based in the South East of England, we are looking for the right candidates from across the UK and are willing to pay travel expenses for meeting attendance if required. We are also committed to broadening the diversity of the board and would like to hear from applicants who can contribute greater diversity of representation, experience and thinking, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities.

For a more detailed information pack please contact our HR Team

Back Up is seeking to recruit 4 new trustees to add strength and depth to our board and support the work of this passionate charity as we look ahead to the future. It is an exciting time to join us.

Being a trustee is a voluntary role, therefore unpaid, but expenses including for travel are reimbursed.

About Back Up

Back Up is a national charity that inspires people affected by spinal cord injury to get the most out of life. We offer wheelchair skills training, an accredited mentoring service, life skills and activity courses, support returning to work or education, as well as support to family members of people with spinal cord injury. More information can be found out at www . backuptrust . org . uk

What does the role involve?

As a Back Up trustee, you’ll play a vital role in keeping the charity on track and accountable to the people we support. You’ll attend quarterly meetings where you’ll review the charity’s performance and make recommendations to ensure we meet our business objectives. There are also opportunities to utilise your professional experience by joining one of our committees and shaping our strategy on fundraising, finance, services, governance, and other areas of work. All our trustees are incredibly passionate about Back Up and work closely with our staff team to make a real difference to the lives of people affected by spinal cord injury. Being a Back Up trustee is fun, challenging and very rewarding.

What support and training will I receive?

New trustees receive a comprehensive induction and ongoing support from the Chair and CEO to become confident board members, fully aware of their role and responsibilities. Trustees are also encouraged to attend training courses to keep up to date with current legislation and to widen their experience. Joint meetings with staff help to build relationships and understanding to fulfil our mission.

Who should apply?

We’re happy to receive applications from everyone with the relevant passion and experience especially people affected by spinal cord injury. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with any one or more of the following areas of experience:

· Digital, Data and Systems

· Fundraising and Income Generation

· Commercial / Trading

· Marketing and Communications

· Third Sector Knowledge

We’re also seeking to improve the diversity of our board, so we’d welcome applicants from younger people and or people from an ethnic minority background.

Next steps

You’ve read the pack, and you:

1. Feel inspired by the work of Back Up

2. Have read the role description and person specification and feel you could make a good trustee

So, it’s time to apply.

Please send your CV along with an accompanying letter explaining your reasons for applying and how you meet the person specification to our CEO, Abigail Lock, at abigail @ backuptrust . org . uk

The deadline for completing the application is midnight on Sunday 5th January 2025.

• All applications will be reviewed against the role description and person specification by a small team of trustees and the CEO by 10 January 2025.

• Everyone will be contacted by email or phone with regards to the success of your application at this stage and you’ll have the opportunity to get feedback if you are not successful.

• If you have been shortlisted, you’ll be invited for a one hour online interview with two trustees and the CEO on Tuesday 21st January 2025 with a second round in person interview on Wednesday 29th January 2025 Please advise us in your application if you cannot make these dates.

• If you are successful you’ll be asked to attend your first trustee meeting as an observer to be held on Wednesday 5th February 2025

• We expect you’ll have more questions, and if so you can get in touch with either Abigail, the CEO or Damian the Chair.

About us – the Irene Taylor Trust: Creating Music. Transforming Futures.

We believe that creating original music collaboratively can have a powerful impact on people’s lives, bringing them new confidence, important transferable skills and raised aspirations for the future. Our programmes Music in Prisons, Sounding Out and Making Tracks support people of all ages in prisons, previously imprisoned people rebuilding their lives on release, and young people experiencing challenging circumstances in the community. We have a measurable impact on recidivism, helping people into training and jobs, and on enhancing wellbeing. We work with around 600 participants each year. The quality of our work was recently recognised by the Royal Philharmonic Society with their ‘Gamechanger’ award.

About you – who we’re looking for to join our board

We are looking for Trustees to join our welcoming and productive Trustee Board - in particular, we are looking for a Finance Trustee/ Treasurer to take a lead on overseeing our finances (c £500k and in good order). 

We are also starting succession planning for the Chair role, so please get in touch if this would be of interest to you and you have experience and skills in leading others. This is an exciting time to join the team, as we look ahead to celebrating 30 years of the Irene Taylor Trust in 2025. 

At the Irene Taylor Trust, we understand that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and help us better serve the communities we aim to uplift. We actively encourage applications from individuals who bring a wealth of different experiences, particularly those from Black, Asian, and other global majority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities and neurodiverse individuals. We are also eager to hear from those who may not have previous trustee or board membership experience but are passionate about making a difference. Your voice is valuable. We are open to applications from people with a criminal conviction (and could help you to check your eligibility under the Charity Commission rules). We will deliver an induction and support working collectively as team. 

Our terms of office are three-years, renewable up to twice. The time commitment for Trustees includes attending quarterly meetings (in-person in London or online), attending our project performances when possible, and supporting the office team on emerging issues in your areas of skills and interest.

Finance Trustee role details

We are looking for someone with a skill for numbers to take the lead at the Trustee Board concerning keeping our finances in good order, meeting financial governance requirements and thinking strategically. This role is formally referred to as the Treasurer. We have a Fundraising and Finance Committee which you would also join alongside our Vice Chair, who is an investment professional; this meeting is also attended by the office staff responsible for our fundraising and finances; you would chair this committee. You would also have occasional involvement with the office team in approving larger payments or verifying financial aspects of reports for funders.

This role would suit someone with the following particular skills and attributes:

· Knowledge of charity finances and the Charity Commission's requirements, or the willingness to develop this knowledge.

· An accountancy qualification and/or good financial management experience

· The ability to provide, communicate and explain financial information and advice to members of the Trustee Board and other stakeholders.

· A collaborative approach to working with others