Safeguarding Trustee Volunteer Roles in Edinburgh

Join us as Dog A.I.D.'s new Honorary Secretary and you would be joining the Board at an exciting time as we have launched the charity’s Strategic Plan with a new CEO supported by a small but strong team, which we will be building further this year. As Honorary Secretary you would be using your skills and experience to support the leadership and strategic direction of our charity as we look to achieve ambitious strategic growth targets over the coming years, becoming a larger, more robust charity with increased profile and reach.

Dog A.I.D. empowers physically disabled people by coaching them to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog. By focusing on the existing pet/owner bond, outcomes for our clients include:

 · increased independence and self-confidence

· improved mental well-being

· reduction in social isolation

· reduced reliance on family members and/or carers.

· increased opportunities, with many of our clients being able to return to work or education, supported by their accredited Assistance Dog.

We are looking for an active and well-organised Secretary who can provide support for our governance functions. You will be required to attend and minute online quarterly Board meetings and other ad-hoc meetings and strategic discussions.

The organisation

Thank you for considering becoming a Director of Every Body Outdoors (EBO). We are a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) that aims to make the outdoor space more inclusive to plus size people. There are several strands to our work including:

• community building, both online and in person
• coordinating volunteer led walking groups across the country
• organising plus size hill skills and navigation courses, and other plus size specific courses and events
• working with brands to improve the size inclusivity of their clothing
• working with retailers to encourage them to stock a wider range of plus size clothing

We run an Instagram account with over 15k followers, an active facebook group with 3k members and have over 20 volunteer walk leaders. To find out more about EBO you can read a short summary of who we are and our asks for brands.

By serving on the board of EBO, you directly contribute to creating a safe space and empowering our plus size community to access outdoor activities, wearing well fitting kit. Board membership is a strong addition to your professional profile, showing a commitment to leadership and community service.

The Board

We are a small organisation, with the board currently consisting of four Directors, who are all co-founders of the organisation. We currently have funding which allows us to pay a freelance worker for 2 days a week. Due to the small size of the organisation it is important that Directors are available to provide unpaid support and direction to our freelance worker and to take a hands-on role in developing the organisation.

Our main role as a board is to:

• lead the strategic direction of EBO
• ensure that EBO complies with its governing documents, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• financial oversight of funded projects and safeguarding the financial stability of the organisation
• support our freelance worker in their role to deliver funded projects, coordinate courses, events and social media
• seek out appropriate opportunities for funding and fundraising and supporting applications
• meet with brands and develop partnerships

The people

We are looking to recruit an additional two Directors to strengthen our board. We are encouraging applications from candidates with experience in a leadership or governance role (e.g working in a leadership role or a role that requires you to interact with a board, as a school governor, as a board member or trustee of another organisation)

It is vital that candidates have an understanding of the issues faced by plus size people in the outdoors, and are passionate about breaking down these barriers. While we recognise the value of lived experience as a plus size person this is not a pre-requisite for applying for the role.

An ideal candidate would also have proven experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising and income generation
• Third sector finance
• Strategic planning
• Advocating for community needs
• Social media campaigns
• Event planning
• Community building

EBO is dedicated to fostering equality and diversity, creating an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone involved with the organisation feels respected and empowered to contribute their best. We acknowledge the intersectional barriers to accessing the outdoors and warmly encourage applications from individuals belonging to groups that have been historically underrepresented.

By law, to apply you must be at least 16 years old and cannot have been disqualified from acting as a company director in the past, or be under restriction from a bankruptcy, IVA or debt relief order.

Commitment

This is an unpaid, voluntary position, though  expenses may be covered where appropriate. All staff, directors and volunteers for EBO are expected to follow our Code of Conduct.

Based on our experience the time commitment required as a board member is 10 - 12 days a year and consists of:

• Attendance at 4 board meetings (held online), including preparation time - 2 days
• Attendance at 2-3 task specific meetings - 1 day
• Answering emails and questions regarding day to day running of EBO - 2 days
• Attendance at brand/partnership/event meetings, including preparation time - 2 days
• Support freelance worker, by checking documents or regular check ins - 2 days
• In person representation of Every Body Outdoors at events (e.g Kendal Mountain Festival) - 1-3 days

Additionally there are opportunities to volunteer to review kit and clothing, attend events and contribute posts for our social media.

How to Apply

To express your interest, send a short CV (max two pages) and a cover letter (one page). Please use your cover letter to outline any relevant experience that is not reflected in your CV, your motivation for joining our board, and how you would contribute to the EBO mission to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible for plus size people.

The closing date for applications is 2nd April 2025, and we will respond to all applications within two weeks of this date. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview, and successful candidates will be asked to attend the next board meeting as an observer before a final decision is made on their membership.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will hold an informal online information session on 26th March at 6.30pm with two of the current board members, please contact us if you would like to attend. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to 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.

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No