Marketing And Communications Trustee Volunteer Roles

We're recruiting for new members of ReachOut's Board of Trustees, as well as members of our governance committees. 

If you’re passionate about supporting young people from under-resourced communities to thrive, and you have the skills and experience to help shape and guide our organisation to achieve our vision, we’d love to hear from you. 

We’re currently recruiting for the following roles:

• Trustees.
• Committee members for our Programmes and Impact Committee and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

For more information on the roles please download our information pack. 

Reports to: Board of Trustees
Direct Reports: CEO
Commitment: Approximately 2-4 days per month throughout the year.
Remuneration: The role of Chair is voluntary, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Overview

Charity Purpose

• Raise funds for research into the cause, prevention and management of dementia.
• Allocate funding to university research project meeting the highest academics standards.
• Raising awareness of dementia.

Objective

• Holds the Executive team and the Board to account to:
  - remain focussed solely on the BRACE stated purpose
  - remain compliant with all English and Welsh laws and the regulations of the Charity Commission.
• Support the Chief Executive in ensuring both the Board members and Executive team work closely together to achieve the agreed strategic objectives.
• Act (in partnership with the Chief Executive) as an ambassador and the public face of BRACE.

Charity Structure

• BRACE the charity has a sole Trustee “BRACE Trustee Limited”. All members of the Board are Directors of BRACE Trustee Limited and act as Trustees of BRACE. There are up to 15 directors of BRACE Trustee Limited who for reasons of clarity are called Trustees.
• The Chair and Trustees are usually appointed for a fixed term of 4 years which can be renewed once, enabling Trustees to serve for a maximum continuous term of 8 years.

Meetings

• Board meetings are held 4 times a year plus 1 awayday. Each meeting is +/- 4 hours.
• There are currently 3 sub-committees of the Board (Scientific Advisory Committee [SAC], Finance and HR). The 3 sub-committees meet no more than one month before the board meetings either in person or on Zoom. SAC reviews applications for grants and makes recommendations to the Board for approval.
• Board Meetings are generally held in person in the Bristol area, online or hybrid meetings are not encouraged but can be facilitated.

How to Apply

If you would like to know more about the role, have an informal discussion or apply, please contact:

Chair of Trustees, Jane Dare

CEO, Chris Williams

Together we will defeat dementia.

Epsom RDA provides opportunities for disabled people to improve their health and well-being through the therapeutic power of horses.

We are a thriving charity providing therapy, fun and achievement for over 200 disabled participants delivered by a team of volunteers and our own herd of ponies. We have exciting plans for growth and to increase the range of activities we offer. 

To assist us in this we are looking for a new trustee with responsibility for fundraising. We are looking for someone with experience of fundraising in a charity or not for profit environment. Excellent relationship building and communication skills are essential, as is a desire to drive improvements and get things done.

As we are entirely run by volunteers, trustees need to be hands on and be able to collaborate with volunteers to achieve our aims. We foster an environment that is inclusive as well as diverse, where our people can be themselves.  Every idea and perspective is valued so that we can reflect the community we serve.

Key activities:

• Develop a fundraising strategy which sets out where best to focus our efforts to ensure we raise the funds needed to fund our ongoing operation and deliver our future strategic plans be that corporate fundraising, trusts and foundations, individual giving, legacies, events or a combination of all of these;
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with our existing funders;
• Establish new relationships to develop a range of new income streams and opportunities in line with the strategy;
• Work with our marketing and communications trustee to devise a regular programme of communications to existing and potential funders;
• Build and maintain close working relationships with our team of skilled events fundraising volunteers;
• Continually look for new opportunities, keeping up to date with the work of RDAs across the country and seek out new ideas and opportunities;
• Be a core member of the Finance, Performance and Governance Sub-Committee.

Skills and attributes:

• Experience of creating and/or delivering fundraising strategies;
• Excellent organisational and strategic planning skills;
• The ability to build trusted relationships with a variety of people including existing and potential funders, volunteers and fellow trustees;
• An understanding of our service users and their needs. 

Whilst there are no set hours, given the hands-on nature of all of our trustee roles, the successful candidate will need to commit to a minimum of three hours per week on average.   Whilst the role can be performed remotely, there is an expectation that the trustee will attend face to face meetings quarterly

Please apply with a personal statement of no more than one page, setting out how your skills, experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies and interests would make you a good fit for the role. 

For an informal chat about the role, please contact us.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

It Gets Better UK envisions a world where all LGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals. We strive to tell the stories of LGBTQ+ people and to provide positive and reassuring messages to LGBTQ+ youth.

Founded in 2010 in America, the It Gets Better Project has since grown into a global movement, with affiliated charities in 20 different countries. We launched in the UK in October 2018 and have grown significantly since then. Our rapidly expanding organisation now includes a newly appointed staff team consisting of a CEO and a Volunteer Coordinator, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers across the UK.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking dynamic and committed individuals to join our Board of Trustees. We are particularly looking for expertise in the following key areas:

Key areas of expertise and desired backgrounds

• Corporate Partnerships and Strategic Fundraising:
  • Experience in securing and managing corporate partnerships, preferably within the charity sector. Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and strategic fundraising initiatives that drive financial support and long-term relationships.
     
• Charity Law:
  • Extensive knowledge of UK charity law, with experience in providing legal advice on governance, compliance, contracts, and safeguarding within a charitable context.
     
• Small Charity Growth and Development:
  • Proven track record in leading or advising small charities through periods of growth. Expertise in strategic planning, resource management, volunteer engagement, and scaling operations sustainably.
     
• Community Engagement and Advocacy:
  • Deep understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, with experience in community organising, advocacy, or public engagement. Ability to build strong relationships with community stakeholders and effectively represent the charity’s mission.

Roles and responsibilities

As a trustee, you will play a critical role in guiding our strategic direction, ensuring good governance, and supporting the delivering of our mission. Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Oversight: Collaborate with fellow trustees and staff to develop and implement strategies that align with the charity’s goals and ensure its sustainable growth.
• Advisory Role: Provide expert advice in your area of expertise, whether that be corporate partnerships, legal matters, charity growth, or community engagement.
• Support and Advocacy: Act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting our work and engaging with key stakeholders to advance our mission.
• Operational Input: While our board is transitioning from an operational to a more strategic focus, trustees will still be expected to take on functional roles as needed, especially in areas where the charity requires additional support

Qualifications and skills

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and can bring the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equality and inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Relevant professional experience in one or more of the key areas listed above.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to high-level decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team.
• Willingness to dedicate time and expertise to the charity’s success.

Time commitment

• The Board meets at least four times a year.
• It is expected the trustees spent at least two hours a week on their duties.
• As we continue to transition our board to a more strategic focus, trustees may be asked to support operational tasks on an as-needed basis.

Become a Trustee of Akshaya Patra UK

Akshaya Patra, the Indian-born charity which provides nutritious school meals to more than 2.2 million children every day, is recruiting two new Trustees for its UK organisation.

Akshaya Patra UK raises awareness and funds to help sustain and grow the organisation’s support to children living in poverty across India, whilst directly running Akshaya Patra’s first international kitchen in North London, from which 700,000 meals have been served to British beneficiaries since it opened in 2020.

The UK charity recently published its ambitious new strategic plan and is entering an exciting phase of development, as it seeks to grow its UK meals programme and thereby support many more disadvantaged children across Britain to both eat well and make the most of their education.

The Trustee role

Akshaya Patra UK’s vision is a world where no child is deprived of education because of hunger. And our mission is to build a movement of people who – working together with compassion, generosity and determination – will ensure a growing number of vulnerable children can realise their full potential free from poverty and malnutrition.

To help us navigate the next stages in our vital journey, we have the opportunity to welcome two new members to our volunteer Trustee Board.

Our Trustees – in close collaboration with our CEO and staff team – draw on their diverse mix of backgrounds and skillsets to guarantee Akshaya Patra UK’s good governance, set our strategic direction, carefully steward our resources, uphold our vision and values, and ensure we always act in the best interests of those children and communities we exist to serve.

Applications are invited from those with the knowledge and experience – perhaps gained from working at a senior level in the business, public or charity sectors – needed to provide strategic insight, sound advice and constructive challenge to both fellow Trustees and the staff team.

Through offering a blend of mission-centred scrutiny and skilled support, you can contribute to Akshaya Patra UK’s continued strong governance and the expansion of our hot and nutritious meals service to many more children and young people.

Though expressions of interest are invited from all qualified parties, applications are especially welcomed from those with a background in:

• The UK education sector.
• Fundraising.

The key time commitments involved in this non-remunerated Trustee role are:

• Attendance at a two-hour Board meeting once per quarter.
• Participation in an annual strategy day.
• Nominated membership of a Board sub-committee, meeting for an hour once per quarter.

Half of all Board meetings are generally held online, with Trustees invited to attend in-person meetings in central London for the other half (with support available for reasonable expenses).

Submit your application

Please apply for this Trustee role by submitting an up-to-date CV and a supporting letter (covering no longer than two sides of A4).

As a low-cost charity with limited resources, we will only be able to acknowledge those applications from candidates we wish to take forward to interview with the Chair and potentially other Trustees from the Board’s Nominations Committee.

Thank you for your interest in Akshaya Patra UK’s mission!

We are seeking to appoint a trustee with senior safeguarding expertise and experience, this may be from areas including social care, the Police, other statutory services, or the not-for-profit sector. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The role of the Trustees is to develop Scouts in keeping with its charitable objectives and in the parameters of good governance. We are particularly looking for a Trustee to contribute their extensive senior level skills and experience in the area of Safeguarding and to Chair the Safeguarding Committee.

Main responsibilities

• To take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the organisation, and in providing direction for its ongoing development, in accordance with the Bye Laws.
• To provide support as the Board’s safeguarding-focussed Trustee contributing specialist skills, experience and knowledge as required.
• With other Trustees, to ensure that the policy and practices of the Association are in keeping with its aims.
• With other Trustees, to exercise effective control, ensuring that the Association functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.
• With other Trustees, to fulfil all other duties as laid out by law and in accordance with the Bye Laws.
• To chair the Safeguarding Committee which is responsible for the strategic oversight and challenge to the organisation on the discharge of its safeguarding responsibilities.

Main duties

Developing and reviewing strategic aims

•  Consider the Association’s strategic plans and make sure they reflect safeguarding legislation, relevant regulations, statutory guidance, and the safeguarding expectations of the Charities Commission
• Work with the senior staff and volunteers to regularly review whether the practice of the Association is creating a safer culture and keeping people safe.
• Check that the Association’s risk register reflects current safeguarding risks appropriately and has put in place effective risk mitigations.
• Abide by the principles laid down in the person specification (and code of conduct).
• Attend meetings of the Trustee Board and the reporting committees (frequency varies).
• Reflect the Scouts’ vision, strategy, major policies and values at all times.
• Contribute specific skills, experience and contacts in support of our activities.

Ensuring policies and practice are effective and in keeping with aims

Make sure there is an annual review of safeguarding policies and procedures and that this is reported to trustees.

• Scrutinise the performance of the Association relating to safeguarding to see whether policies and procedures are effective.
• Make sure there is a regular effective (internal and external) quality assurance framework using qualitative and quantitative data to monitor the effectiveness of safeguarding practice.
• Learn from case reviews locally and nationally, to improve the Association’s policies, procedures and practices.
• Reflect the Trustees’ policies and concerns in all interactions with the Movement.
• Assist in the implementation of the Association’s strategic goals.

Creating the right culture

• Champion safeguarding throughout the Association.
• Attend relevant safeguarding training events and conferences.
• Support the trustees in developing their individual and collective understanding of safeguarding.
• Attend meetings, activities, projects to engage with staff, volunteers and young people to understand safeguarding on the ground.
• Support regular safeguarding updates for staff, volunteers and young people.
• Make sure you have ways of gathering the views of staff and volunteers in relation to safeguarding and sharing these with the Board.
• Work effectively as a team member of the Trustee Board in exercising its responsibilities and functions.
• Protect the assets and integrity of the charity, with regard to best practice.
• Maintain good relations with Association staff.
• Fulfil such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the Trustee Board.
• Engage with members of the Movement at other levels in the organisation.

THE PERSON

As a Trustee of the Board, you should be able to demonstrate and provide evidence of the following criteria listed under Part 1 within your written application. This will be tested further at the preliminary interview stage, along with the criteria listed under Part 2.

We are particularly interested in applications from candidates with strategic safeguarding experience in sectors such as Social Care (e.g. service manager to director role experience), Health (e.g. deputy or chief nurse experience), Police (e.g. Superintendent to Chief Constable experience) and Education (e.g. Head Teacher experience).

Part 1

• The successful candidate will be able to give evidence of:
• A record of proven and significant achievement and executive background in operational and strategic safeguarding.
• An understanding of the type of work undertaken by the Association and commitment to the values and ethos of The Scout Association.
• Successful experience of operating on a board or a major committee in a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.
• Confident and effective communication skills with a range of audiences, including Trustees, the Chief Executive, senior staff, senior volunteers and others, and the ability to challenge in a constructive way.

 Part 2

• An understanding of how to motivate and enthuse volunteers.
• A proven track record of sound judgement and effective decision-making.
• An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees, UK Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive.
• A track record of commitment to promoting inclusion, equality and diversity.
• Wider involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks.
• Enthusiasm, energy and time to commit to this role.

Other essential criteria

• Commitment to attend four Board of Trustee meetings each calendar year, one of those will be a two-day residential held over the weekend).
• Attendance at the Annual General Meeting of the Council (AGM) held in the first week of September each year (this will be on a Saturday).
• Availability to chair the Safeguarding Committee, who meet four times per year. Three of these meetings are virtual and outside 9-5 working hours – the fourth meeting will be a full-day face-to-face session.

 APPOINTMENT TERM

Appointments are typically for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of a further term of three years subject to a satisfactory appraisal.

REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

In common with other registered charities, there is no remuneration directly associated with the role, although the Association will reimburse fully for all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing duties.

Alike is a charity with one simple mission: To end the loneliness and isolation that people impacted by cancer experience. We exist to empower our community to make meaningful connections through seamless digital experiences which help people find their sense of belonging. We were created for people impacted by cancer, by people with cancer.

Driven by our mission and inspired by the start-up mentality, we operate with agility and pace. In 2021, we launched our ground-breaking iOS and Android app as a space exclusively for the cancer community to connect. Now we’re looking to scale nationwide, and we need your help to do it. Alike is the only non-for-profit organisation providing a large scale, tailored peer support platform across all ages and diagnoses, whether someone’s facing a sleepless night or a lonely weekend.

We're looking for 1 legal trustee to join our scaling charity! We are particularly interested in people who have a background or experience in UK law, such as IP law or data protection. Read more about what we are looking for in more detail below. If this doesn't sound exactly like you but you feel you have something to give, we'd still love to hear from you. ​

Our Trustees:

Our board of trustees is essential to Alike’s mission. Working as a team, they take shared responsibility for maintaining alignment between our vision, strategy and day-to-day operations. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team, driving Alike’s growth, inspiring new approaches, and helping us scale. Their perspective, insights, passion and collective experience is crucial to our mission as we continue combating loneliness and isolation throughout the cancer community.

Your Responsibilities:

Joining our board of trustees is a commitment to Alike’s mission as well as our products. We need our trustees to not just believe in our potential, but to authentically champion it. Our ideal trustee can clearly envision Alike taking a leading role in combating isolation in the cancer community - and in making a lasting, positive change. We’re looking for active, engaged and experienced trustees to join our existing board during this thrilling period of growth and innovation.

Beyond that, you would be required to collaborate on certain statutory duties (listed below), and to provide advice and guidance throughout Alike’s new initiatives. The power of our board lies in a diversity of viewpoints, so your unique combination of specialist knowledge, skills and experiences is key to success in this role.

We would expect you to contribute this set of skills to the board’s shared responsibility: making sound decisions for the charity’s direction. This would include - but by no means be limited to - scrutinising board papers, leading meetings, chairing discussions and taking an active role in board meetings.

Time Commitment:

• Regular board meetings (6 per year, 3 in-person meetings, 3 virtual)
• Additional time for sub-committee work and strategic planning
• Flexible availability for brief ad-hoc advisory calls or meetings
• Attendance at our Annual General Meeting in central London

Skills and Experience:

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship
• An understanding of the challenges faced by those living with cancer and the impact of emerging technology in addressing these challenges
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style
• Strategic and critical thinking skills - a problem-solver with a lateral thinking style
• Strong financial literacy 
• An understanding of the tenets of employment law and GDPR compliance at scale 

We need trustees with a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge, and would love to hear from people who could bring the following:

• Experience in UK law, ideally in employment law, data protection or intellectual property

If you’re interested in joining Alike on our mission to bring comfort, support and community to the millions of people impacted by cancer across the UK, then we would love to hear from you.

You might not necessarily tick every single box - and that’s okay: if you’ve got the passion and you feel confident that this role is for you, please do get in touch anyway. You may still be the perfect fit.

We are looking for a Fundraising Trustee that can take our fundraising to the next level. The limb reconstruction process can be long, painful and challenging for patients' mental health. Rebuild has exciting plans to expand our psychological support for these patients but we need the help of an experienced fundraiser to do this.  

Main responsibilities: 

• Oversee fundraising and to make sure it is carried out in legal, honest and accountable ways.
• To identify funding opportunities. 
• Contribute knowledge of fundraising techniques and strategies.
• To guide and advise the Trustees in the approval of the fundraising strategy and targets.
• To keep the Trustees informed about its duties and legal responsibilities in relation to fundraising and the Fundraising Regulator.
• To assess risks in new fundraising directions and alert the Board of any concerns.
• Be an active champion of the charity.

Background: 

We are looking for a Trustee who has experience in any of the following areas: charity fund raising, marketing, finance, public relations, sales. 

Qualities of a Fundraising Trustee 

Essential: 

• Fundraising/income generation knowledge or business development background.  
• A good understanding of fundraising and the UK charity sector, Charity Commission, Companies House requirements, relevant legislation and statutory requirements.
• Excellent networking and communication skills.
• Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Experience in the health sector.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of digital or social media.  
• Experience of diverse fundraising practices, including statutory funds, corporate and philanthropic giving.  
• An understanding of the challenges facing small UK charities in maximising income streams & donor cultivation.  
• Experience in the charitable or voluntary sector.

Time commitment/location:

• The Trustee Board meets 4 times a year.
• Board meeings are usually held virtually.
• Anticipated time commitment: 8 hours per month
• To work with the Trustees outside of the Board Meeting in developing a new fundraising strategy.
• Appointment term 3 – 4 years 

Terms and conditions: Voluntary roles, expenses paid

Closing date: This advert will close on 7th October 2024

SEED Madagascar is looking for two new Trustees to work on its Board of Trustees and with the Managing Director and his team.  One role is to be the Vice Chair to support our Chair across her role, and the second role is to bring fundraising expertise to support SEED in its vital work in Madagascar.

SEED is growing and rising to the challenges that the country and its people are facing, and these Trustees will play an important role in SEED’s development.

SEED delivers impactful projects with communities in the southeast of Madagascar in the fields of community health, sustainable livelihoods, conservation and school infrastructure.  More recently SEED has responded to the famine affecting many families in the areas it works with emergency food distribution. 

The new Trustees will bring experience of working at a senior level in the not-for-profit sector. The Vice Chair will bring governance experience, and the fundraising trustee will have experience of fundraising in organsiations of a similar size. We are looking for a passion for, and understanding of, international development, along with strong people skills and a good grasp of strategic planning.

Please see our Candidate Pack for full details of the role and the recruitment process. 

Aurora Nexus is a fast growing, innovative and forward-thinking health and social care charity, supporting individuals with Autism and Learning disabilities. The Charity is at a pivotal moment in its growth and development, with a new strategy being developed for launch in April 2025.

We are excited to be recruiting a new chair and new trustees to join our creative and committed small group of trustees and newly structured executive team, in leading the charity through a truly exciting time of growth and development.

We are looking for 2 – 4 trustees. As our trustee you will be central in setting our future direction and strategy, with your skills and governance enabling us to lay strong foundations for the future. We have and plan to continue our highly effective Board, to keep our organization contemporary and relevant. We want to be seen as an exemplar support provider, and this is mirrored in our 100% of Outstanding CQC rated homes.

We are particularly keen to work with individuals from a financial background, to take on the role of the Finance Committee, and those with health and social care, Marketing and Comms, ESG, Charity fundraising and IT/Cybersecurity experience.

Our Vision

A world where people with learning disabilities or autism are equal in society and lead a good life.

Our Mission

To deliver services that support people with learning disabilities or autism to lead fulfilling lives, effectively engaged in the local community feeling safe and involved

Our Values

Our Values are core ethics or principles that we will abide to, no matter what. They will inspire our best efforts and constrain actions. Overtime they will improve our ethical character.

We are proactive, honest, professional and brave.

· Proactive and innovative in everything we do.

· Honest – we will acknowledge our errors and mistakes and foster an open and transparent culture, to learn from them and improve our future performance.

· Professional - We will strive to be professional in everything we do.

· Brave – We will support people to be brave and to take risks, we will be courageous in everything we do and we will do the right thing even when it isn’t the easy thing.

Are you interested in social care and have an understanding of marketing, branding, communication and social media? Or perhaps you are looking at becoming a trustee for the first time, we would like to support you.

What will you be doing?

You will join a Board of Trustees who support the organisation in their governance role, through strategic planning support and as ‘critical friends’ to the leadership team. Trustees are offered an opportunity to have a real and meaningful involvement in what the organisation does. Our purpose is to support people to live meaningful lives and enable independence through personalised, affordable care, by sharing a home and family life and by supporting involvement in the local community. 

Induction and training for the role will be provided.

Our Vision: To be the leading Shared Lives provider in the country

Our Purpose: To make a positive impact on the lives of the people we support

Our Values: Putting CARE into everything we do

Community - Working together with a shared purpose and belonging to achieve common goals

Autonomy - Empowering people to take ownership and accountability for decision-making

Resilience- Building the strength and character to embrace change and challenge

Equity- Giving people what they need to have equal access to opportunities in life

Trustees will be asked to commit to: 

• Endeavouring to be available for up to 7 meetings per year with a requirement to attend at least 50%. 
• Endeavouring to be available for the annual Board Away Day
• Be able to respond via email to discussion and potential issues between board meetings
• Complete a programme of mandatory training, proportionate to the role, renewed every three years
• Attend an annual review with the Chair

What are we looking for?

We are currently seeking someone with skills and experience in a marketing role as well as Younger Trustees who may be taking on their first trustee role. You will also need to have knowledge, skills and experience in some of the following areas:

• Governance - the oversight of an organisation's functioning
• Strategic planning and management
• Charity cultures and values
• Working with people
• Operational delivery
• Effective communication and influencing skills
• Committed to working as a collaborative member of a team 
• Commitment to devoting the necessary time to Board activities
• Being open to learning and development for self, staff and the Board
• Commitment to working to the Nolan Principles for Public Life

If I join Shared Lives South West as a trustee what can I expect? 

You will help enrich the lives of people we support by becoming a part of this friendly charity known for providing high-quality support to people as recognised by our recent “Outstanding” CQC award. You stand to also enrich your own life through the empowering and satisfying sector of volunteering as well as having access to training and development opportunities through SLSW. This is a voluntary post and would be offered subject to satisfactory references and DBS check. Voluntary, with travel and other reasonable expenses payable.

You will be joining an enthusiastic and committed team of trustees. Induction and training for the role will be provided. The appointment will run for three years and be subject to an annual review with the Chair of the Board. Two further terms of three years may be agreed upon. You will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement, declare any relevant business interests and complete an insolvency check as well as a charity-related parties register prior to your first Board meeting. You will be required to declare, on an ongoing basis, any further relevant business interests and/or conflicts of interest that may arise. 

How to Apply

We have an application form that you will need to complete if you are interested in the role of Trustee for Shared Lives South West. This can be provided upon expression of interest, which you can do by applying on Reach Volunteering.

The Organisation

The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union (UPSU) is an independent charity that exists to advance the education of all students at the University of Portsmouth. Our vision is to have a ‘Positive Impact with every Portsmouth student’ and we aim to have both immediate and legacy impacts through our range of inspiring services and activities.

UPSU is a forward thinking, friendly organisation with a vision of “delivering a positive impact with every Portsmouth student”. As a charity led by its values and guided by its members, we offer a wide range of services and activities to support and enrich the lives of our students. UPSU employs approximately 30 career staff, a further 50 student staff and we work with over 1000 registered student volunteers and over 100 student groups.

UPSU has implemented a new 3 year Strategy from August 2023 and as always, our Strategy sets the direction for UPSU and ensures we are all focussed on the right things for the benefit of all University of Portsmouth students. Our new Strategy focuses on three areas:

1. Academic Success - All students’ academic outcomes are improved as a result of the work that we do - making this the best we can for UoP students through our charitable aims of Representation, Development and Welfare
2. Social Capital - Students are supported to find themselves, be themselves, connect and belong
3. Future Readiness - Students’ futures are made clearer and enhanced by the work that we do

The Person

The right candidate will thrive in a student led, highly responsive environment and have an enthusiasm for supporting and guiding a student organisation. They will command confidence, have sound judgement and strong communication and leadership skills.

To support our current strategic direction and bring new skills to the Board, the essential skills, knowledge or experience required are:

• AI / Digital Communication
• Finance
• Charity Experience - governance, leadership and strategic direction

Due to the current make-up of our Trustee Board, we are not actively searching for candidates with skills, knowledge and experience related to the Student Union and HE sector and we would welcome candidates from other sectors or regions to apply.

That said, we would very much like to encourage anyone who feels that they could bring something to our Board to apply, regardless of experience - our purpose and values also lead us to welcome first time Trustees too!

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which supports everyone from recruitment through to appointment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people and as part of this commitment, we are working to improve the diversity of our Trustee Board to ensure that it is as relevant and representative of our student community as possible and are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.

Board meetings sit 4-5 times per year and in addition we ask our Trustees to share their expertise in supporting one of our sub-committees. The roles are voluntary and whilst we welcome all applicants, the requirement for regular meeting attendance may suit people within easy travel time to Portsmouth.

Further Information

For information about how to apply, please visit our website. Application is via a comprehensive CV plus a supporting statement (of no more than two sides of A4) detailing why you are applying for the position and what requirements you meet to carry out the role

Completed applications must be received by midday on the 7th October 2024

As a Trustee you must:

• Always act in the best interests of GMWSA exercising the same duty of care that a prudent person of business would in looking after the affairs of someone for whom they have responsibility.
• Act as a group and not as an individual

Duties of a Trustee Board Member:

• Ensure that GMWSA complies with charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensure that GMWSA pursues its objectives as defined in the Strategy and Business plans
• Ensure that GMWSA applies its resources wisely and applies ‘best value’ principles
• Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the CEO in setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• Contribute actively to Board Meetings and other appropriate events and activities
• Safeguard the reputation and values of GMWSA
• Ensure the financial stability of GMWSA
• Ensure that the accounts are audited in the manner prescribed by Charity Commission regulations, and any recommendations of the auditors implemented
• Ensure that GMWSA has an appropriate reserves policy
• Be assured that the financial resources of GMWSA meet its present and future needs

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, scrutinising board papers, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, evaluation or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

Person Specification-
Each Trustee must:

• Have commitment to the mission and values of GMWSA
• Show willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Act with integrity and have a willingness to speak their mind
• Employ a strategic vision
• Have an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship
• Have the ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of GMWSA.

Minimum time commitment:

• Trustees are expected to attend an induction meeting with the Chair of the Board and the CEO prior to attendance at their first Board meeting.
• Trustees are expected to attend all Board meetings, which are 6 time per year, online and in person.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of Trustees and Staff, helping some of the most vulnerable children in Medway to build a future and reach their potential, by supporting the board with your experience.In 2023 our current Chair will be Stepping down from the Board at the end of their extended term in office. We are therefore seeking a Trustee with experience to join the Board with the view of stepping into the role of Chair in the future. The Chair holds a pivotal role in guiding the board and the governance of the organisation of Home-Start.

What are we looking for?

Experience:

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

Significant experience of chairing meetings and events

Qualities:

Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause.

Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities.

Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively.

Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity.

Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.

Ability to commit time to conduct the role well.

Knowledge and Skills:

Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together.

Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues

Good understanding of charity governance issues

Ability to make good use of technology to drive effectiveness.

What difference will you make?

As a Chair for our board, you will be instrumental in shaping the work and strategic direction of Home-Start Medway.  Your commitment and Leadership will ensure that we continue to provide a range of much needed support and services to families in Medway.Our small, friendly team of trustees are vital to the success of our charity and the role of Chair is key on the Board.