Trustee Volunteer Roles

Who they are

Citizens Advice Richmond is a local charity that has helped the people of Richmond since 1940. They offer generalist advice on any issue and specialist debt advice. Citizens Advice Richmond is a member of the national Citizens Advice service, a network of around 300 local advice centres.

The role: What will you do?

● Complete an induction for your role.

● Maintain an awareness of how the local Citizens Advice is operating.

● Plan the board meetings, including the dates and the agenda, with the Company/Charity Secretary and the Chief Officer.

● Read papers for board meetings and attend six board meetings per year.

● Facilitate the trustee board meetings by leading the meeting, ensuring that agenda items are discussed, enabling all members to contribute their views and take part, and seeking clarification where necessary.

● Ensure that decisions and actions taken at board meetings are carried out.

● Ensure that the board decisions are made within the remit of the Citizens Advice membership agreement, governing documents, and policies.

● Monitor attendance and commitment of all trustees.

● Provide or arrange training or support for trustees if needed.

● With other trustees and the Chief Officer, recruit a trustee board with a diverse range of skills, experience, and knowledge, with an aim to promote trusteeship to underrepresented groups that represent the community.

● Ensure that all trustees receive an induction and the training needed for them to fulfil their role.

● Be proactive in recruiting successors to key positions such as Chair, Treasurer, etc.

● Arrange or provide support and supervision for the Chief Officer, including an annual appraisal.

● Together with the Treasurer, ensure proper management and control of local Citizens Advice finances.

● Together with the Chief Officer, represent the local Citizens Advice in relationships with funders or potential funders, at local events, and in the community.

● Work together with all trustees to ensure that the board can:

♦ Set policy and strategy direction, set targets, and evaluate the performance of Citizens Advice Richmond.

♦ Monitor the financial position of Citizens Advice Richmond, ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, and ensuring there are clear lines of accountability for day-to-day financial management.

♦ Monitor whether Citizens Advice Richmond complies with its governing document and meets the required standards.

♦ Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.

♦ Ensure the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers.

♦ Review their own work and how effectively they operate, including action for improvement.

♦ Work on specific projects to further the strategic objectives of Citizens Advice Richmond.

What’s in it for you?

● Make a positive impact for people in your local area by ensuring the local Citizens Advice is sustainable and meeting the needs of the community.

● Meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff, and other volunteers.

● Build on your governance, leadership, and strategy skills.

● Increase your employability.

And they will reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You’ll need to:

● Understand the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice.

● Understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities as trustees.

● Be non-judgmental and respect views, values, and cultures that are different from your own.

● Have a good basis of leadership skills.

● Be able to facilitate and lead meetings.

● Have good interpersonal skills.

● Have good listening, verbal, and written communication skills.

● Be able to exercise good independent judgment.

● Have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the Treasurer.

● Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles, and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.

● Be willing to undertake training in your role.

How much time do you need to give?

You will need up to one day a week for the regular activities, but this will vary. Trustee boards usually meet in the evenings, and you’ll likely need to give 12-15 hours per year to attend these. Sub-committees meet quarterly and a further 4-6 hours per year are required for these.

Valuing inclusion

Their volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and they particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities

WellChild, based in Cheltenham, is the national charity for seriously ill children and their families. We fund programmes and services to make it possible for children and young people living with complex medical needs to thrive at home instead of hospital.

What we are looking for:

An experienced senior paediatric doctor with knowledge of the current challenging environment faced by children with complex medical needs and their families.

Purpose of the role:

Our medical trustee is the professional/clinical link championing our families and professional voices to ensure that we always act in the best interest of our service users which is the focus of our charity.

It is the duty of the board of trustees to act in the interests of the charity’s service users. It should ensure that the charity has a clear strategic direction and fulfils its charitable purpose as set out in the charity’s governing document – Articles of Association.

The board of trustees follows the Nolan principles of acting with integrity. It adopts values, applies ethical principles to decisions and creates a welcoming and supportive culture which helps achieve the charity’s purpose. The board ensures the charity’s ethics and values are embedded throughout the organisation.

Trustees undertake their duties with this in mind.

Are you passionate about ‘The Creative Arts’? At Bloomin’ Arts, we see and hear the difference made when ensuring disabled adults have opportunities to be artists and leaders within visual art, drama, dance, and theatre. As a Trustee you will share a responsibility to oversee how our charity is managed and run. Ensuring what we do is always in our participant’s best interest.

As a visionary leader with a strong connection to or lived experience of disability? Are you committed to recognising ‘art and culture’s’ place in society. Do you have knowledge of the barrier's society places in the way of disabled artists? If so, we are looking for an inspirational Chair of Trustees to help us achieve our future objectives and impact our ability to empower the lives of disabled adults through the creative arts. As Chair, you will play a vital role in:

• · Supporting the development and growth of our charitable arts organisation.
• · Driving our commitment to disability provision and leadership within the arts.
• · Leading with empathy to tackle challenges and direct change where needed.
• · Leading governance and compliance in line with the charity commission.
• · Advocacy and support fundraising as an ambassador for the charity, leveraging your networks to advance the charity’s reach and influence.
• ·    Ensuring our values and disabled artists (participants) remain at the heart of everything we do.

We are seeking a candidate with:

• · Experience of charitable sector and/or arts and culture management.
• · A strong connection to or lived experience of disability.
• · Ability to lead and inspire other trustees and our staff.
• · Dedication to the role to ensure your contribution and leadership makes a positive difference.
• · Ability to be in person at Trustee Meetings, held at our venue in RH7. 

Why it’s an exciting time to join us:

• · This is a time of growth for us as a charity.
• · The challenges we face, we approach positively and openly.
• · We are constantly working to improve awareness and build our relationships to increase our reach and impact.
• · We love finding people who share our passion and vision and will stretch our viewpoints.
• · We celebrate diversity and make inclusion part of what we do every day.

 Length of term and time requirements:

Chair to join ideally for a 3 year term and opportunity for a further two.

Approximately 4-6 hours per month plus preparation and attendance for trustee meetings.

Renumeration:

Your services are always hugely appreciated, but services are offered on a voluntary basis and receive no renumeration except expenses reasonably incurred.

Join the Board of Aldridge Education and contribute to our mission to provide high-quality education for all and leave no-one behind.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Wednesday 16th April 2025.

Location: National (working with schools located in Brighton, Darwen, Salford, Warrington and London)

Time commitment: Equivalent to 1 day per month

About Aldridge Education

Aldridge Education is a national multi-academy trust operating across London, South East and the North West. Our trust consists of eight schools and one adult education provider, serving over 5,000 students. An additional school will be joining the Trust on April 1st.

We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone receives a high-quality education and are driven by our mission to provide everyone with the Aldridge Advantage.

The Aldridge Advantage consists of curriculum and culture, levelling the playing field, closing the gap, Aldridge Enterprise and benefitting our communities. These are the ambitions that drive what we do.

We recognise that not everyone starts with the same opportunities in life, and we firmly believe that every student should have the opportunity to excel, regardless of their background.

We believe that education should empower individuals and equip them with the skills, resilience and enterprising mindset to succeed in the future.

About the role

As a Trustee, you will work with the rest of the Board to support the executive team in guiding the strategic direction of the Trust. The Board plays an important role in developing the Trusts’ vision and working with the executive team to set strategic priorities.

The responsibilities of the Board include:

• Monitoring performance and supportively holding the executive team to account in maintaining high standards of educational and operational excellence.
• Contribution to setting the Trust’s vision and ensuring that it works effectively towards it.
• Ensuring that the trust maintains legal and financial compliance.
• Upholding the highest standards of governance.

Trustees are also expected to contribute to one of the Board’s subcommittees, which include the Education Standards Committee, People Committee, Finance and Operations Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, and Nominations Committee.

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate will have management experience within complex organisations, whether this has been gained in the public or private sector.

A background in education is not a requirement, though a passion for the sector and a willingness to champion our mission of providing an education that leaves no one behind is essential.

As a Trustee, you will be:

• Strategically minded and able to help navigate the trust through the next stage of its development.
• Strongly collaborative and able to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Aligned with our mission to give everyone a high-quality education that ensure that no-one is left behind.

Previous governance experience is desirable but not essential. Candidates will be assessed on their understanding and experience of managing large organisations, value-alignment to Aldridge Education and dedication to making a positive difference within the education sector through the Aldridge Advantage.

Peridot Partners and Aldridge Education are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 16th April 2025.

Position: Chair of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the ultimate governance body for the organisation, serving as stewards of the organisation’s resources, and is ultimately responsible for Self Help UK’s strategy, operations, adherence to law and regulation, and financial management. The Trustees serve on a voluntary basis and currently meet virtually every 6 weeks.

Chair Responsibilities: The Chair leads the Board of Trustees and works closely with the Charity’s Chief Executive and Senior Management Team to achieve its goals. The Chair is responsible for key areas, including:

Strategy and Governance

• Ensuring that the Board operates effectively in the consideration, iteration, and approval of the organisational strategy in support of the charity’s mission and values.

• With Trustees, ensuring that the charity operates efficiently and effectively to fulfil its objectives

• Safeguarding the interests of the charity’s beneficiaries and providing oversight of stakeholder interests • Maintaining high standards of governance and risk management.

• Ensuring that the Board is as diverse as possible and provides the range of knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to deliver the charity’s aims.

• Ensuring the organisation is accountable and transparent in its activities.

• Maintaining compliance with relevant charitable and company legislation.

• Oversight of the Sub Committees of the board.

• Ensuring a high-performing and effective board by committing to regular appraisal and review of Trustees and board performance (including managing retirements and resignations of Trustees).

Guidance and support to the Chief Executive

• Appointment of the Chief Executive and approval of Chief Executive’s salary with the Trustees.

• Line management of and work in partnership with the Chief Executive to support them in achieving the aims of the charity.

• Support and guidance on operations, including personnel management.

Financial

• Ensuring, with the Board, sound financial oversight, including review and approval of the annual budget

• Oversight of high standards of financial management

Advocacy and fundraising

• Using personal and professional networks to help the executive with access to potential donors and supporters, including governments, international bodies, corporations, trusts and foundations, NGOs, and individuals.

• Advise and assist in raising and maintaining the charity’s profile in the UK and internationally.

Lead Board Meetings:

• Lead all aspects of meeting management.

• Encouraging discussion at Board meetings, summarising key points and ensuring decisions are made and implemented.

Remuneration: Unremunerated, but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed

Time Commitment: Estimated at 2 days per month, but some flexibility and the ability to offer more time on occasion are required.

Standard commitments include:

• Attending Board meetings every 6 weeks. Currently, meetings are held via Zoom

• Attendance at subcommittee meetings as necessary

• Monthly scheduled meeting with the CEO, with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad hoc issue.

• Attending, as a minimum, an annual half-day strategy session and other face-to-face events as required.

Qualities of a Chair

Essential

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

• Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims, and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities. • Strategic and forward-looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims.

• Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of colleagues.

• Balancing tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.

Desirable

• Prior experience of committee/trustee work.

• Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation.

• A wider involvement with the voluntary sector.

• Experience of chairing meetings, committee work, some experience of charity finance, charity fundraising.

• Leadership skills exercised through a period change.

upReach is an award-winning social mobility charity, driven by a vision of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential regardless of social background. Since 2012, upReach has supported thousands of undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds to access and sustain top graduate jobs. Our unique one-to-one support model means every undergraduate receives sustained, tailored support from a specific member of our team.

upReach are looking for a trustee with HR experience and a passion for social mobility to join our Trustee Board. Having seen significant growth over the last 3 years, we are looking for someone passionate about social mobility who has the HR experience to ensure the highest standard of governance in policies and practice related to employee relations, recruitment, retention, reward and development.

The Trustee Board:

• The Trustee Board consists of eleven trustees including the Chair and three Alumni Trustees, who were formerly upReach Associates. 

• Trustee Board meetings take place four times per year, in-person in Central London, with the option to join remotely. All regular governance activities are scheduled in advance and outside of working hours. 

• The initial term for the Trustee position is three years, with the opportunity for a second three year term after that

• An Annual Strategy Day between the Trustees and upReach Senior Leadership Team is typically scheduled to take place on a weekend day in July. 

• Board Papers are sent out two weeks in advance. 

• Trustees are invited and encouraged to attend upReach delivery and fundraising events, such as Employer Insight Days, and the Student Social Mobility Awards.

The duties of the HR Trustee:

• Attend and contribute to trustee meetings.

• Support upReach’s People & Culture Team in developing HR policies and procedures, advising on good practice in people and HR matters.

• Apply your knowledge and experience to help the Trustees make decisions that ensure HR activities and interventions are linked to the charity’s objectives.

• As required, to support the upReach Senior Leadership Team to review HR management arrangements and provide guidance on HR strategy and short and long-term direction.

• Work collaboratively with fellow trustees and leverage skills to mentor Alumni Trustees. 

• Support the Chair of the Board in trustee recruitment and related processes and procedures.

• Be an active ambassador for upReach within the HR community.

Person Specification

Essential

• Passion for social mobility, evidenced through lived experience, personal background, or professional activities

• A substantial background as a senior HR professional, with a proven track record of success at an operational and strategic level.

• Thorough understanding of HR policy and practice.

• Good judgement, communication and interpersonal skills.

• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and a can-do attitude.

Desirable

• An understanding of the UK charity sector and HR practices within this context

The Caldecott Foundation provides specialist residential care, fostering families and education for disadvantaged, vulnerable and traumatised young people in the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of Trustees and staff helping some of the most vulnerable children in our society to build a future and reach their potential. We are keen to hear from anyone who shares our values and feels that their HR experience and expertise could be beneficial to our Board.

What will you be doing?

The Caldecott Foundation have a committed Board of Trustees with a wide range of experience and personal skills.

The HR Trustee will help to ensure the highest standards of governance relating to employee relations, recruitment, retention, reward and recognition as well as staff training and development. You will act as a critical friend to the CEO and Executives responsible for Human Resources whilst providing expert advice to Trustee colleagues in respect of HR best practice, regulatory compliance and employment law.

4 Board meetings per year would be the minimum commitment with most Trustees attending 8 meetings per year including committees.

What are we looking for?

· Up-to-date HR and Employment Law knowledge and experience, and ability to communicate this with Trustee colleagues

· Experience of operating at a senior level of business, preferably within an organisation which links to children and young people or someone who has worked with children and vulnerable adults in the past.

· Ability to provide strategic oversight on HR related policies.

· A good team player who can work with a small, committed Board of Trustees and Executive team.

· Existing Trustee experience is desirable but not essential.

· Having an interest in our cause is crucial for all Trustees.

What difference will you make?

Your experience and expertise will add immense value to the existing Board. The Trustee role is a critical one within the functioning of the organisation and as part of a group of volunteer Trustees you will be an important member of the leadership team. Through your involvement you will contribute to an organisation achieving outstanding long term outcomes for some of the most vulnerable young people in our society.

Who they are

Citizens Advice Richmond is a local charity that has helped the people of Richmond since 1940. They offer generalist advice on any issue and specialist debt advice. Citizens Advice Richmond is a member of the national Citizens Advice service, a network of around 300 local advice centres.

The role What will you do?

● Complete an introduction for your role.

● Maintain an awareness of how the local Citizens Advice is operating.

● Read papers for board meetings and attend six board meetings per year.

● Work on specific projects with other trustees or staff within the local Citizens Advice to further the strategic objectives of the local Citizens Advice.

● Provide support and assistance to the Chair and the Chief Officer in carrying out their responsibilities, acting as a ‘critical friend’ and sounding board.

● Take on specific responsibilities delegated by the Chair, e.g., supporting new trustees with their induction.

● Carry out the Chair’s duties in their absence, with the acknowledgment of the board as being capable and suitable to do so.

● Be prepared to take over as Chair in the near future.

● Be open to approaches, where appropriate, from other trustees about the work or judgment of the Chair. The Vice Chair will then discuss any issues arising with the Chair or National Citizens Advice.

● Take an active role in discussions during board meetings and work with other trustees to:

● Set policy and strategy direction, set targets, and evaluate the performance of the local Citizens Advice.

● Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.

● Ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers.

● Review their own work and how effectively they operate, including action for improvement.

Who they are

To promote and encourage, for the benefit of the public, the improvement, protection, and preservation of the countryside of North and East Yorkshire, including its towns and villages, and the better development of the rural environment.

The role Introduction

Do you care about the future of the countryside in North and East Yorkshire? Do you have skills and experience in policy development in or for Local Authorities that you could bring to their work? CPRE North and East Yorkshire are looking for a Trustee and Local Authority Communications Lead to contribute to their important work protecting the beautiful local countryside and green spaces.

Who they are

CPRE campaigns nationally and locally for positive solutions that safeguard the long-term future of the precious countryside, which is facing multiple threats. At the national level, the charity produces in-depth research and sound arguments to press government, Parliament, and other decision-makers to support the countryside, be it national landscapes or much-loved local green spaces, through policies that ensure:

The right development in the right place

Active support to improve biodiversity

Countryside protection from climate change impacts and contribution to climate change solutions.

Here in North and East Yorkshire, the largest of the CPRE regions (6,900 square miles!), they have a successful track record of enabling residents and community groups to help shape development in ways that enrich the countryside around them. They also use their planning expertise to proactively campaign for local authority planning policies that safeguard and enhance the beautiful and varied landscapes.

The role

Their small but energetic team of volunteer Trustees enables people to protect the countryside they love and enjoy the benefits it brings wherever they live. But with your support, they can do even more! In joining them as a Trustee on the Board, you’ll have a general role in developing the charity in line with their strategy and, together with other Trustees, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and other legal and governance regulations. However, additionally, as their Lead for Local Authority Communications, you will use your particular knowledge of policy development in this arena to inform and guide the Trustee Board on Local Authority campaigning and coordinate and drive forward related activities to meet agreed aims.

+Trustees initially serve a three-year term and may serve up to six years in total.

What they need and what’s in it for you

You don’t need to have prior Trustee experience, but they are looking for applicants with manager/senior-level experience in policy development in Local Authorities and/or as policy advisors to Local Authorities. By volunteering with them, you’ll be using what you know to help find positive solutions for the major issues facing the countryside and the environment, as well as being part of a group of people who share your passion for the countryside. Their friendly team will provide you with initial training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience in charity governance and leadership.

Their small but energetic team of volunteer Trustees enable people to protect the countryside they love and enjoy the benefits it brings wherever they live. But with your support, they can do even more!

In joining them as a Trustee on the Board, you’ll have a general role in developing the charity in line with their strategy and, together with other Trustees, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and other legal and governance regulations. However, additionally, as their Lead for Supporter Development, you will use your specialist knowledge to inform and guide the Trustee Board in this area and coordinate and drive forward related activities to meet agreed aims. As part of this remit, you will also oversee the recruitment of a Communications and Supporter Care Officer (a brand new role) and have ongoing responsibility for communicating organisational requirements and providing feedback to the individual once engaged.

+Trustees initially serve a three-year term and may serve up to six years in total.

What they need and what’s in it for you

You don’t need to have prior Trustee experience, but they are looking for applicants with manager/senior-level expertise in Supporter Development/Fundraising. By volunteering with them, you’ll be using what you know to help find positive solutions for the major issues facing the countryside and the environment, as well as being part of a group of people who share your passion for the countryside. Their friendly team will provide you with initial training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience in charity governance and leadership.

Support Through Court offers practical and emotional support to people going through the civil and family courts with no legal aid so that litigants in person are comfortable with the process and can represent themselves to the best of their ability. Our volunteers proved support face to face, on the phone, and online to people dealing with divorce, eviction, access to children and many other challenges. We believe that no one should have to face court alone.

Our current Chair, Caroline Artis is standing down at the end of May and we are looking to recruit a replacement. The new Chair will lead an established board of 9 trustees with a wide range of skills and experience, and work with our Chief Executive and leadership team.

We are looking for a Chair who has skills and experience in leading teams, focusing on strategic goals, communicating with stakeholders, and championing the values of an organisation. While we would expect the Chair to be committed to the values of Support Through Court we do not require applicants to have any experience or qualifications in law or the legal system. We value diversity in our trustees and encourage applications from all walks of life.

Our Chair will work closely with our Chief Executive and other trustees to achieve our strategic objectives. Our board meets five times a year and has three sub-committees dealing with service, audit and risk, and fundraising, each with its own chair. In addition to chairing full board meetings, the Chair will be responsible for appraising the work of the Chief Executive and acting as an ambassador for Support Through Court at various events.

Being a trustee and Chair of Support Through Court is hard work and needs real commitment but it is inspiring and fulfilling to be part of this team.

For further information visit our web site.

Closing date for applications: 13th April 2025

At the Mental Health Foundation, we are seeking an experienced Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. This is a voluntary position which will bring you a rewarding experience and an opportunity to help the Foundation deliver its mission. The role is part-time, with attendance required at various meetings throughout the year.

Deadline: 5pm on Sunday 27th April
Location: Glasgow/London/Belfast/Cardiff
Time commitment: 2-3 hours every 6-8 weeks, plus an away day each year, for a 3-year term

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to join a dynamic and inclusive Board of trustees and help ensure the Foundation maximises its impact.

What does the role involve?

• Monitoring the financial administration of the charity and reporting to the board of Trustees, in compliance with the governing document. 
• Overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
• Acting as a counter signatory on cheques and applications to funders as needed.

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Integrity, strategic vision and good relationship building skills
• Understanding of or interest in mental health and public mental health approaches
• Accounting and/or finance skills and experience

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment.

How to apply

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application form by clicking 'Apply via Website'. Please ensure you attach an up to date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification. Applications will close at 5pm on Sunday 27th April.  Interviews are planned for 20th, 26th & 27th June. 

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing).

We look forward to hearing from you!

Crescent Purchasing Consortium is looking recruit new trustees, including a Chair to the board of Trustees.

We are looking for a maximum of two volunteer Trustees who are employed by the state, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law (specifically the education sector).

Crescent Purchasing Consortium is a charity with a purpose to provide procurement support services and advance education in all aspects of procurement to the education sector. Through our work, we provide additional support to SEND learners, the wellbeing of all learners and assist in trying to reduce the growing challenge of absenteeism in education. To assist the Charity with our vision, we are looking to appoint two additional Trustees who have a passion for education and enhancing teaching and learning.

The two areas of expertise we are look to appoint separately or combined are:

1. Chair to the Board of Trustees.

2. Finance/Accounting experience.

The two positions have become available as a result of the existing postholder coming to the end of their maximum term as a trustee of Crescent Purchasing Consortium.

Our vision is to be the procurement services partner of choice for the education sector and through our work, help the education sector enhance teaching and learning. We do this by delivering great-value professional procurement services to the education and wider public sector. We then gift surplus reserves generated by the Charity back to the education sector to fund a variety of projects focused on assisting SEND learners, the wellbeing or all learners and tackle the growing concern of absenteeism within education. This means our customers can benefit twice from our service. Essentially, we want to keep education sector money, within the education sector.

The backbone to how we operate, as a Board of Trustees and our employees, are our values. These are: People Orientated, Supportive, Collaborative, Professional, Customer Focused. Trustees play a vital role in providing strategic direction and strong governance, as well as supporting the work of the leadership team. Our Trustees have independent control of the Charity and are committed to providing the highest standards of governance and guidance. The Trustees have a responsibility to understand the environment in which the Charity is operating, and to lead the Charity in fulfilling its purpose, they are responsible for protecting the Charity’s best interest and oversee the management, strategic planning and accountability.

We are seeking Trustees with high-level skills and experience from all sectors to help drive our Charity forward. We would welcome applications from all areas of the public sector, in particular the education sector.

To apply please attach your CV and cover letter,

Crescent Purchasing Limited is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to Equality and Diversity. We believe in fair treatment of all our candidates and commit to promoting diversity in our employment practices.

**The deadline to apply for this role is 6th April 2025**

PMRGCAuk is an ambitious, patient-led charity that achieves a great deal with very limited resources. We are growing and this is an exciting time to be involved. The new Chair will play a leading role in the charity’s future development. 

What will you be doing?

The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the board of Trustees.

The Chair’s aim is to enable the board to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.

The Chair will ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations and to make sure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

The Chair's role is also to work in partnership with the Director and support the employees, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation; and to optimise the relationship between the board of Trustees and staff.

It would be an advantage if the Chair was able to commit to a three-year term.

This position is not remunerated but reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred fulfilling the duties of the role are reimbursed.

Main Responsibilities:

• Providing leadership for the board of trustees in their role of setting the strategy and policy of the organisation.
• Chairing and facilitating the board meetings.
• Liaising regularly with the Director and Treasurer to maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and to ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the Board.
• Representing the organisation at appropriate events, meetings or functions.
• Acting as a spokesperson for the organisation where appropriate.
• Leading the Board in fostering relations with potential partners/funders/donors.
• Consulting with the Director on matters of strategy, governance, finance and HR.
• With the Director, raising funds for the charity.
• Maintaining careful oversight of any risk to reputation and/or financial standing of the organisation.
• With the Director, maintaining oversight of the organisation’s work and financial performance.
• Reviewing and appraising the performance of the Director.
• Attending and being a member of other working groups when appropriate.

What are we looking for?

ESSENTIAL

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the UK voluntary sector
• Understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee

Skills

• Leadership ability
• Strategic vision
• Ability to take decisions for the good of the organisation
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with a wide range of people, verbally and in writing
• High level of competence in IT applications including MS Office
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in different locations

Personal qualities

• Passionate about improving outcomes for people with PMR and GCA
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Chair
• Good judgement and integrity
• Tact and diplomacy
• Willingness to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Ability to protect confidentiality and awareness of data protection issues
• Enjoyment of working with people and enabling them to develop their skills

DESIRABLE

​Experience

• Experience of being a trustee or having another governance role
• Experience of charity fundraising
• Experience of line management

Knowledge

• Knowledge of health and social issues affecting older people

Skills

• Ability to understand budgets and financial projections

What difference will you make?

The Chair of Trustees provides leadership alongside the paid Director, and is therefore one of the most influential and important roles in the charity. We are looking for a Chair who can contribute strategic vision as we move to the next level in terms of impact, professionalism and size.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) are linked rheumatic conditions that are little known by the public and have been poorly understood in medicine, although scientific interest in them is now increasing. They can strike separately, but often together and usually affect older people. They cause severe pain and discomfort and the standard treatment is long-term use of corticosteroids. Undiagnosed and untreated GCA can lead to catastrophic sight loss, although this is easily prevented if caught in time.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica & Giant Cell Arteritis UK (PMRGCAuk) is a registered charity established to meet the needs of people with these debilitating conditions, their friends, families and helping professionals.

What we offer

We offer information and support at all stages – from diagnosis through to recovery. We provide information packs, a helpline, newsletters, support groups around the country, and a web forum where you can share your experiences and learn from other people with PMR and GCA.

Above all, we offer hope!