Human Resources Volunteer Volunteer Roles

Job Description Chair of Trustees

Introduction

The Lucy Rayner Foundation (LRF) is a charity set up in May 2013 by the Rayner family after the loss of daughter and sister Lucy to suicide. The LRF is an organisation that supports young people to deal with their mental health issues and provides them with tools and techniques to improve and maintain their mental health in the long term. This is done through education, training and support services.

Mental health has reached an all-time high and the demand for our services is increasing every day. We became incorporated in July 2022 to grow the charity to meet those demands and we have ambitious plans for 2024/25.

Currently we are without a Chairperson due to unforeseen circumstances and we are now looking for a dynamic leader to help steer the Charity in the years ahead.

The Role

The Chair will lead the Board in its role to ensure that the clear strategic direction of the charity is met as laid out in the regulatory framework, that governs LRF through its compliance, financial management and people performance.

The Chair will also support and, where appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive, use effective collaboration, constructive engagement within the Board and between the Board Members and support with the management team, staff and volunteers where necessary. 

The Chair should also act as an Ambassador and the public face of the charity as part of the LRF external communications efforts. The Chair also line-manages the Chief Executive with governance and HR procedures.

Time Commitment - Four Board meetings a year and Chair the meetings and is to hold regular meetings with the Chief Executive by agreement.

Reporting to: - The Board of Trustees

Terms: - 3 years (there will be a three month probationary period following the appointment

Renumeration: - Unremunerated. Out of pocket expenses incurred can reimburse

Role & Responsibilities

- Establish a culture within the Board the fosters integrity, inclusion and openness

- Working closely with the Chief Executive, to shape the work of the Board to ensure constructive challenge and support in the development, implementation of policy frameworks, organisational strategies, financial management and effective risk management whilst ensuring that it  meets all the charitable objectives.

- Responsibility for governance arrangements working in the most efficient way

- Esure that there is the right level of governance in place

- Develop the knowledge capability of the Board of Trustees

- Encourage positive change, where appropriate, address and resolve any conflicts within the Board

- Ensure that the Trustees understand the balance between governance and management

- Chair the meeting of the Board of Trustees

- Supporting the Chief Executive, whilst respecting the boundaries which exists between the two roles

- Ensure that the Chief Executive has the opportunity to grow and develop professionally and has the appropriate professional support

Personal Description

- Has 3 years of experience as a Chair

- Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation

- Have a passion for supporting those with mental health

- Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees

- Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate and bring people together

- Financial management skills with an understanding of charity finance issues

- Experience of chairing meetings and events

- Demonstrate a strong and visible commitment to the Charity, its strategic mission and objectives

- Strong networking abilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the Charity

- Ability to commit time to conduct the role to the best of your ability, including attending events out of office hours.

Closing date for applications:

The Lucy Rayner Foundation operates an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating

and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage

applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual

orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil

partnerships.

We believe all dance professionals should be able to lead a fulfilling life in dance safe from hardship.  We are looking for new Trustees to help us achieve our aim. 

Who are Dance Professionals Fund? 

Dance Professionals Fund is an award-winning registered charity providing financial and wellbeing support to dancers, dance teachers and choreographers. Our dedicated services bring together a range of effective ways of supporting dance professionals, including financial grants, signposting to support services, rehabilitation, career upskilling support and access to professional counselling. Dance professionals will receive unbiased support from us whatever their situation. 

Role Description 

We are seeking several trustees to join us from mid-January 2025 for an initial term of three years.  We are looking for a range of skills and experience, including: 

• Knowledge and/or experience of dance or of dance teaching 

• Background in a finance/accounting role within a charity 

• Experience of benevolent funds and how they work

• Background in a legal role, knowledge of charity governance 

• Experience of charity marketing, digital advancements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills 

We welcome applications from anyone who is passionate about helping the Dance Professionals Fund achieve its objectives. Full trustee training will be provided.  

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and especially those from global majority groups. We are keen to add more voices with lived disability experience to the Board – helping us evolve our aims with all disabilities in mind.  

Salary 
All Trustee roles are voluntary. We will cover the travel costs of attending in-person meetings, and other costs such as childcare when required. 

Location 
Dance Professionals Fund is based at The Dance Space, 2 Market Square, Circus Street, Brighton BN2 9AS.

Board meetings are held four times a year in central London in accessible locations. Committee meetings dates are in line with each Committee’s remit and are held in person or online. 

This is an exciting opportunity to be a hands-on trustee at branch level, helping to promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things.  With your expertise and support we will achieve so much! 

We need volunteers who have expertise in Legal and GDPR matters to help us manage the Branch effectively and within legal limitations. You will get new skills and experience whilst enabling us to help more animals. 

Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with a legal background, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee at our Preston & District Branch and support us with GDPR compliance.

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.  As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a bi-monthly committee meeting lasting around 2 to 3 hours (virtual meetings are an option). However, the commitment may vary depending on your availability,  and if you decide to take on additional duties.Trustee do not need to live within the branch boundaries but occasional travel to Branch sites may be required from time to time.

About the National RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering. Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Preston & District Branch

Over 80% of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which are run by staff & volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The Preston & District Branch is part of a network of  140  branches, and one of only 8 in the North of England with an animal centre. We are a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area and engaging with the local community. Our mission is to provide safe homes to abandoned, neglected or abused animals, to nurse them back to health, rehabilitate them and find them their forever home.

RSPCA Preston is a well established branch with approximately 20 members of staff and 75 volunteers across 4 locations. The main activity of our branch is providing a rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming centre within the Preston area (close to JCN 31 of the M6). To continue helping animals in need we also operate 3 charity shops in Longridge, Chorley and Penwortham which bring in a regular income to keep our animal centre open. 

Take a look at our website to see a little more about the work we do.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR

• Assist the Branch in ensuring that activities are GDPR compliant and reviewing and updating the Branch processing activities register.
• Support the Branch in developing and updating Branch policies, particularly the Branch privacy notice and internal data protection policy, to make sure they are compliant.
• Support the Branch when liaising with external specialist providers such as HR and health and safety specialists. 
• The Branch may occasionally enter into new leases with regards to its charity shops; so, liaising with external specialists for advice if it does not fall under your area of expertise. 
• To assist the Branch when developing new schemes, such as providing welfare assistance to those on low incomes, to ensure any new schemes are GDPR compliant.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside legal and GDPR compliance experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action. 

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected at our AGM.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it is the right decision for you there is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! 

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

About you

We are looking for people with or without board level experience, and we would welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.

In order to continue to enhance the diversity of our board, we would particularly like to hear from people from ethnically marginalised groups, particularly Black African backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with physical disabilities, and other marginalised groups, and especially those with direct experience of services provided by our hospice.

On this occasion and following a recent skills audit of our current trustees, we are particularly looking for people with expertise in any of the following areas:

• Finance and accounting (with a view to succession planning for our current Treasurer)
• Co-production, community engagement and community development
• Property and estate management

Commitments from trustees and from the hospice

Trustees are expected to attend, in person or via tele-conferencing:

• Sessions agreed as part of each trustee’s personalised induction programme.

• Bi-monthly board meetings.

• Approximately two board away days per year, dedicated to strategic planning.

Where they are willing and able, trustees may be asked to join one of the board sub-committees.

Whilst this is an unpaid, voluntary role, out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. A personalised induction programme, training, support and mentorship will be provided.

Person specification

Each trustee must have:

• commitment to the vision of the hospice

• willingness to meet the minimum time commitment

• integrity

• strategic vision

• good, independent judgement

• the ability to think creatively

• willingness to speak their mind

• understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

• the ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good

of the hospice.

Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary and the hospice welcomes applications from all ages and backgrounds.

Closing date for applications is Monday 7 October.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Upbeat Communities achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity, and they also ensure we have a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the leadership team to enable Upbeat Communities to grow and thrive, and through this, empower refugees to thrive.

Through regular meetings, strategy days and written reports provided to the board, trustees are able to set the direction of the organisation, develop its strategic objectives and support and keep the staff team accountable in delivering on these
strategic goals.

Trustee meetings are currently held every 2 months either in person in Derby or online (hybrid). We have an annual strategy away day and trustees are also invited to be part of our sub-committees. Trustees are requested to be available to attend occasional ‘unscheduled’ meetings or engage in email communications which address urgent business as it arises, join working groups when needed and spend time preparing for meetings by reading and considering the papers circulated before meetings.

Benefits of Being a Trustee

We believe being a trustee of Upbeat Communities offers a number of fantastic
benefits:

• Strategic decision-making that positively impacts the lives of over a thousand
• asylum seekers and refugees every year
• Supporting an innovative, talented and passionate staff team as they develop
• our work and explore new services and ways of working
• Being part of a committed and focused trustee team working to see the charity
• grow
• Using your skills, experience and passion to contribute to an effective and wellfunctioning
• board
• Opportunities to learn new skills and experiences to contribute to your own
• personal development

Duties

Any individual acting as a trustee for Upbeat Communities would be required to
carry out the following:

• Promote the vision, mission and values of the charity
• Ensure Upbeat Communities and its representatives function within all legal and
• regulatory requirements applicable, and in line with its constitution, continually
• striving for best practice in governance
• Determine the overall direction and development of Upbeat Communities
• through good governance and clear strategic planning
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their
• implementation
• Oversee Upbeat Communities’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and
• evaluate progress
• Review and approve the charity’s financial statements
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively
• Provide support and challenge to Upbeat Communities’ Chief Executive in the
• exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
• Contribute to regular reviews of Upbeat Communities’ own governance.
• Attend Board meetings, and be adequately prepared to contribute to
• discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and
• protect the charity’s interests, avoiding any personal conflict of interests
• Take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be a
• material risk to the charity
• Maintain confidentiality about all aspects of the trustee’s business

Finance Specific Duties

• Lead on the strategic financial management of the charity at board level
• Liaise with our outsourced finance team (including our Finance Director)
• Chair the finance sub-committee (which meets 6 times per year ahead of every
• board meeting)
• Maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and ensure full and
• timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the board
• Support the board of trustees in financial decision making processes
• Review and approve annual budgets
• Advise on banking and investments
• Take an active role in the financial audit process
• Contribute to the financial management of our trading subsidiary (Upbeat
• Enterprises Limited)

Family Thing Dance is a small but growing charity that provides inclusive dance classes for people with learning differences and diverse abilities. We are looking for Trustees to join our Board to offer governance and support to grow the charity. 

The dance base is commercial dance and hip-hop. Family Thing's mission is to provide opportunities for empowerment, support and a sense of belonging using dance as a vehicle to reach these aims. 

Family Thing is passionate about providing these dance opportunities for everyone.  There are many reasons why. Mencap lists the main benefits of taking part in leisure activities as improving physical and mental health, personal social skills, self-worth and confidence, and social attitudes (Mencap, 2019). Yet despite these widely understood benefits, only 16.8% of people with a learning disability take part in a sport or physical activities at least once a week, compared with 39.9% of the general population (Sport England, 2018). Additionally, there is a great deal of evidence that inactivity is a major contributing factor of ill health in people with learning disabilities. Only 9% of participants in a 2016 review met the minimum recommended guidelines for physical activity (Dairo et al, 2016).

We know that organisations like Family Thing play a role in the well-being of people with learning disabilities by providing activities that promote good physical health as well as positive psychological and social stimulation, and offers a way to overcome situations such as loneliness and anxiety. We know that a positive impact of Family Thing is the increase in social engagement and improvements in physical and mental well-being for those who participate in our classes.

Activities: Family Thing offers free or subsidised, supportive, fun and creative dance classes to diverse groups of children, young people and adults. During each session, dancers are invited to create their own ‘dance hero persona’, and have opportunities to express themselves as individuals with the support of the group. There is a focus on strengthening their sense of community through the concept of “supporting your crew”. As defined by those who attend the groups, the overall aim is to create a “big family” that’ll dance altogether basically!

What are we looking for?

At this particular time we are keen to find people with a financial services background and someone who may be willing to take on the role of Treasurer in due course and/or someone with marketing skills, including digital marketing.

Experience

• Experience of the dance community (desirable but not essential)
• An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and a desire to support those with learning differences and diverse abilities
• Leadership experience (desirable but not essential)
• Experience of delivering strategic organisational change (desirable but not essential)

It is not necessary to have previous board experience as training and support can be given

Skills

• A commitment to the Family Thing
• A willingness to devote half a day a month to this work and be able to attend the bi-monthly board meetings
• Good, independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak your mind and communicate well
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• An understanding of safeguarding practices
• Some experience of charity finance and fundraising is desirable, but not essential (and candidates do not need prior experience as a charity trustee)
• Knowledge and experience of current and fundraising activities relevant to voluntary and community organisations (desirable but not essential)  

Attitude

• Honest, open and trustworthy with an understanding of the duty of candour
• Respectful of confidentiality procedures

Special Conditions

The post requires the ability to attend online meetings and occasional face to face events.  All expenses will be reimbursed.

What difference will you make?

We are interested in potential Trustees who can bring experience across of range of areas. At this particular time we are keen to find people with a financial services background and someone who may be willing to take on the role of Treasurer in due course and/or someone with marketing skills, including digital marketing.

We are also keen to hear from people who can bring experience in any of these areas:

• working with charitable organisations
• developing strategy;
• project management;
• fundraising and grants management;

Bringing skills in any of these areas will make a huge difference to the work Family Thing is able to provide.