Volunteer Roles

Are you involved with Media that helps people? Or wish to be? Experts in graphics and social media are needed.

Volunteer in MEDIA Globally from your home. Whether an hour a month or an hour a day, whether experienced or new; your help is needed. Meet many people from diverse cultures and socio- economic backgrounds globally, while helping children seeking a brighter future.

The International Humanity Foundation(IHF) is seeking experts and those who want to learn. Ages 18-95. Volunteering 1-2 hours a month (or week) on a long term basis. 

MEDIA PR DIVISION

�� IHF Cinematography

�� Writing team

�� Public Relations

�� GRAPHICS & DESIGN

�� IHF Website IT

�� IHF Social Media

�� Translation

�� Volunteer Outreach (General Online Outreach Task Team, GOOTT)

�� University Partnerships

�� IHF Newsletter

We're looking for an Honorary Treasurer to join our valued Board of Trustees who will play a pivotal role in ensuring IPEM is well governed and complies with all financial legislation and good practice for charities. This is an exciting time to join IPEM, with an ambitious growth plan agreed for the next 5 years. 

The Honorary Treasurer chairs the Institute’s Finance and Business Planning Committee (F&BP), four meetings/year, normally held on line and is also a Trustee and Director of IPEM, attending the Board of Trustees’ four meetings/year, normally 2 in York and 2 in London. The Hon. Treasurer is a member ex officio of the Board of IPEM Enterprises Ltd, IPEM’s wholly owned trading subsidiary, which meets three times per year, usually by teleconference. The Hon Treasurer is also Chair of the IPEM Remuneration Committee which meets once a year by tele-conference.

We anticipate a commitment of 12 - 15 days per year with the meetings during the working day (9 - 5pm). 

You do not need to be a member of IPEM, though it is essential you have either senior voluntary sector finance experience or you are a qualified accountant. 

The Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership is a great local charity looking for a volunteer to coordinate, support and motivate our other volunteers. We provide practical and emotional support to refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants in our community. We have a pool of around 80 dedicated volunteers helping a caseload of around 150 individuals and families affected by immigration issues at any given time. 

As Volunteer Coordinator your responsibilities would include:

• Working with the Office Manager to support prospective volunteers through our application process and organise training for volunteers
• Working with other Coordinators to help new volunteers to settle in to various roles
• Supporting and advising volunteers on issues arising, in consultation with other Coordinators and the Committee
• Building relationships with volunteers, staff, clients and local organisations
• Organising regular volunteer evenings throughout the year to enable volunteers to meet each other and share best practice

We ask for a time commitment of about 10 hours a week and you will need to be based in or near Watford & Three Rivers. We're looking for someone with the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (essential)
• Good organisation skills (essential)
• A good understanding of - and commitment to - equality, diversity and inclusion (essential)
• Experience of coordinating or managing people in previous voluntary or paid roles (essential)
• Knowledge of the issues facing refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants (desirable)

We particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority and migrant backgrounds, who are under-represented among our volunteers.

If you would like to join our friendly volunteer team we would love to hear from you!

Do you want to utilise your strong leadership skills to have a positive impact on the strategic direction and governance of a charity?

Are you passionate about developing people and fostering good relationships?

Do you have the time and willingness to get involved in steering the work of a charity to provide invaluable support to its community?

Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity (Alex TLC) is looking to appoint a leader with the passion and vision to Chair our Board of Trustees, ensuring we effectively fulfil our strategic goals and direction.

Who we are

Alex TLC provides invaluable support and information to people affected by leukodystrophy.

Leukodystrophies are genetic disorders that mainly affect the white matter of the central nervous system (i.e. the brain or spinal cord). There are more than 100 different known types of leukodystrophy, including some so rare they only affect one or two individuals.

Established in 2004 we are an internationally recognised centre of excellence and the only UK charity providing support and information to people affected by any of the leukodystrophy conditions worldwide.

Our expectations of you

In the role of Chair, you will be instrumental in ensuring effective and strategic governance of the Charity. Your collaborative efforts with our Board of Trustees will play a pivotal role in promoting inclusivity, driving excellent, well-rounded and considered decision making and ensuring our sustained success and progress.

We are looking for a Chair to join the Board immediately. You will be required to attend a minimum of 3 board meetings per year, review documentation in advance and maintain regular and responsive communication with the CEO outside of meetings. Mentorship can be arranged to support the transition into the role.

This is a voluntary and unremunerated position.

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We will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to this post. If you have any additional support or have any access or communication needs throughout the recruitment process, please let us know. 

Communications & Marketing Board Member

At the Eco Centre our mission is to empower people to live and work sustainably. We inform, inspire and enable people to take action on climate change and the environment.

What we do

Our focus is on practical help so people can reduce carbon, live sustainably and combat climate change.

We’ve developed an innovative approach to helping people make that transition to sustainable living that has the potential of being scaled up and used nationwide – putting us on the road to zero carbon. We’re working closely with communities to pilot and develop the scheme.

In the next 12 months we planning an events programme to engage inspire the public and businesses, and for collaboration and co-creation for climate action innovation.

The next step will be a regional sustainability hub – a visitor attraction with hands-on activities. A go-to destination, training facility, and events/exhibition space – and a resource base for outreach and schools’ programmes.

How you can help

As Communications & Marketing Board Member, you’ll take a leading role in developing and implement communications and marketing strategies. You will help raise the profile of the Eco Centre so that it can increase its support and develop the opportunities and partnerships needed to achieve its sustainability goals. A key aim will be building support for a sustainability hub for the South West.

You will be a member of a newly enlarged team, ensuring we’re able to step up our action on climate change/sustainability and the drive to Zero Carbon.

Key information:

Responsible to: The board and membership

Working Location: Generally remote working but the ability to help occasionally at events in the South West is preferable.

Location Requirements: Preferably living or working in the South West. Regulations permit only a limited no. of directors from outside the area of benefit.

Hours: Minimum of 6-8 hours a month. Flexible

Renumeration: None. Voluntary. Expenses only.

How to apply: Click the Quick Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation. Please also submit a cover letter saying why you would like to be a board member and what skills you will bring to our board, operations and plans.

Closing date: 31 July 2023.

Interviews may take place in the week August or September.

Applicants can contact us for an informal discussion.

Please note, we’re actively reviewing applications and interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The ad may close early if a successful candidate is found.”

What you’ll be doing

As a hands-on board member, you’ll:

• Develop and implement a communications/marketing strategy
• Lead the membership drive
• Identify and develop new promotional and engagement opportunities
• Act as brand manager for all communications output
• Be joining newly enlarged team, steering and developing the Eco Centre, helping it to realise its ambition of a Sustainability Centre for the South West.
• Play an important part in developing strategy and ensuring the organisation is well run and able to deliver, and step up, its impact on climate change and sustainability.
• Contribute to the day-to day running of the organisation and/or its operations.

What are the requirements?

This unique opportunity is for you if…

• Have substantial experience in communications
• Can demonstrate use of a range of communications techniques, in particular social media.
• Have implemented engaging and cost-effective communications campaigns
• Can writing excellent and effective external materials for a range of stakeholders
• Have experience of corporate and public engagement
• You work effectively with others to identify, analyse, and solve problems.
• You can use your experience and knowledge to make considered judgements
• You have a commitment to action on climate change/sustainability.

This position is open to people residing in the UK only.

Reprieve is pleased to advertise for two Trustees to join our Board and provide the highest level of Governance. The Board meets four times a year (normally April, July, October and December). 

About Reprieve

Reprieve is a UK charity founded in 1999. Reprieve uses strategic interventions to end the use of the death penalty globally, and to end extreme human rights abuses carried out in the name of “counterterrorism” or “national security”.

Reprieve works with the most disenfranchised people in society, as it is in their cases that human rights are most swiftly jettisoned and the rule of law is cast aside. Thus, Reprieve promotes and protects the rights of those facing the death penalty and those who are the victims of extreme human rights abuses carried out in the name of “counterterrorism” or “national security”, with a focus on arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial executions.

Reprieve’s main office is in London, UK. Reprieve also supports full-time Fellows, who work as lawyers, investigators and campaigners in the countries in which we work. We work closely with a number of partner organisations in jurisdictions all over the world, who provide access to clients, expertise, knowledge and guidance on specific issues or regions. We work in cooperation with relevant government officials, individual lawyers and human rights defenders, as well as individual, corporate and foundation funders to further the cause of our shared goals.

About the roles

Our new Trustees will be passionate about our vision and mission and will be able to bring inclusive and knowledgeable insight to the Board and the Executive Directors. They will have a passion for seeking justice for the victims of extreme human rights abuses. They will support our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion at Reprieve and share our commitment to fighting against racism and advancing racial justice, both in our work and within Reprieve.

Trustee 

We are seeking a new trustee with direct or indirect lived experience of some of the conditions and difficulties faced by beneficiaries of Reprieve’s work or other Trustee July 2024 2 victims of human rights abuses. This could include long term or arbitrary detention or other human rights abuses, whether or not Reprieve would have been able to have been involved.

For full details please see the role description. 

Trustee and Chair of the Development Committee

We are seeking a new trustee who would look to take on the Chair of our Development Committee when the current Chair retires in April 2025. You will be someone who has experience as a senior fundraising volunteer or who is well networked and happy to connect us with your contacts and make asks on behalf of Reprieve. Reprieve has a highly diverse funding base, built up over many years, and you would help support this by working with our Philanthropy and Events team to maximise support from individuals.

For full details please see the role description. 

Full details and how to apply

This is a non-remunerated role but Reprieve will pay reasonable travel and other expenses. Trustees are appointed on a three year term, renewable once. The deadline for applications for each role is 19 August 2024. 

Please see the role descriptions for full details and information on who to contact to discuss the roles. 

We are looking for trainee volunteer advisers to join our advice team to support people across Ashford, Kent

You will be trained to give advice to clients across channels including face-to-face and telephone.

Volunteers make up around 75% of our workforce. We would not be able to provide such a vital free advice service without them.

What will you do?

• complete an introduction to Ashford Borough Citizens Advice and training for your role

• talk to clients over the phone, face to face, or online to explore what problems they've come for help with

• find information about the clients' problems and help them to understand their options

• support clients to take action to resolve their problems. This might include drafting or writing letters, making phone calls, or referring the client to another organisation

• write a summary of the clients' problems and what action you've taken

• look out for problems' that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP, AM or local councillor

What's in it for you?

• make a real difference to people's lives

• learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt, employment and housing.

• build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and problem solving

• work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.

• have a positive impact in your community. And we'll reimburse expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You don't need specific qualifications or skills but you'll need to:

• be friendly and approachable • be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own

• have good listening skills

• have excellent verbal and written communication skills

• have good maths and IT skills • be able to understand information and explain it to others

• 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?

Ideally we ask for you to be available for 2 advice sessionsw per week, for at least 12 months.

We can be flexible so come and talk to us.

Barnardos is commited to providing 'Better Outcomes For More Children'. Our childrens service's volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children's service and help make a real difference.

Why we want you

Bardnardos protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vunerable children.Barnardos helps brings out the best in children - no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen.

What you will be doing

• Working with children, young people or families on an individual basis, to help them achieve the desired outcomes of their plan.
• Building positive relationships with children and young people by meeting with them regularly on a one-to-one basis.
• Encouraging children and young people to access resources, groups and activities within their local community, such as after school activities, youth groups and sports clubs.
• Accompanying children and young people to attend meetings or attend on their behalf.
• Supporting children to have their voices heard on decisions that affect them.
• Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality,Diversity and Inclusion; Health and Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
• Participating fully in training and supervision
• Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours

The skills you'll need​

• Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
• Approachable and welcoming.
• The ability to empathise with children, who may be facing difficult times in their lives.
• Awareness of factors impacting on and issues facing young people (e.g. Disadvantage, poverty, disabilities, health conditions including mental health).
• Being passionate about making a differencein the lives of children, young people and families.

What's in it for you​

• Full induction and training
• Other training opportunitiesrelevent to the volunteering role.
• Regular supervision and support.
• Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
• Access to the Barnardo's internal vacancy listing.
• Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile childrens charity.

Disclaimer

We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. 

Our partner works alongside those involved in or affected by armed conflict, helping them find solutions that address the root causes of conflict and contribute to lasting peace and economic development.

After almost nine years, their current Treasurer is coming to the end of their term in office. They are seeking a replacement, who will Chair the quarterly Finance sub-committee meetings and report back on the work and recommendations of the committee in full Board meetings.

They are seeking someone with a proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to the Board and other stakeholders, ideally with experience and knowledge of the not for profit sector, particularly international development.

There are four Board meetings (one full day) and four Finance Committee meetings a year. Board meetings are held in London, with optional virtual attendance. Most committee meetings take place virtually.

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For more Trustee and Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.

As a StreetLink London Volunteer, you will be part of our StreetLink London referral line which works to connect people who are rough sleeping to homeless support services in their area. You will play a vital role in connecting people to support that can help them end their homelessness. In this role, you will be supporting us with all or some of the following tasks: • Supporting with a high volume of calls and alerts via our website and mobile app from members of the public and people who are sleeping rough themselves. • Creating detailed alerts for local outreach teams so that people rough sleeping are found as quickly as possible. • Signposting people experiencing homelessness to other homeless support services. • Educating callers on a variety of issues related to homelessness. • Adhering to St Mungo’s Policies and Procedures at all times. 

At the Eco Centre our mission is to empower people to live and work sustainably. We inform, inspire and enable people to take action on climate change and the environment.

What we do

Our focus is on practical help so people can reduce carbon, live sustainably and combat climate change.

We’ve developed an innovative approach to helping people make that transition to sustainable living that has the potential of being scaled up and used nationwide – putting us on the road to zero carbon. We’re working closely with communities to pilot and develop the scheme.

In the next 12 months we planning an events programme to engage inspire the public and businesses, and for collaboration and co-creation for climate action innovation.

The next step will be a regional sustainability hub – a visitor attraction with hands-on activities. A go-to destination, training facility, and events/exhibition space – and a resource base for outreach and schools’ programmes.

How you can help

As Event Management Board Member, you’ll take a leading role in developing a new events programme that will inspire and engage and establish Eco Centre as a prominent proponent of climate action in the South West. A key aim will be the development of a sustainability hub for the South West.

You will be a member of a newly enlarged team, ensuring we’re able to step up our action on climate change/sustainability and the drive to Zero Carbon.

Key information:

Responsible to: The board and membership

Working Location: Generally remote working but the ability to visit venues and attend at events in the South West is essential.

Location Requirements: Preferably living or working in the South West. Regulations permit only a limited no. of directors from outside the area of benefit.

Hours: Minimum of 6-8 hours a month. Flexible

Renumeration: None. Voluntary. Expenses only.

How to apply: Click the Quick Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation. Please also submit a cover letter saying why you would like to be a board member and what skills you will bring to our board, operations and plans.

Closing date: 31 July 2023.

Interviews may take place in the week August or September.

Applicants can contact us for an informal discussion.

Please note, we’re actively reviewing applications and interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The ad may close early if a successful candidate is found.”

What you’ll be doing

As a hands-on board member, you’ll:

• Lead the development of an events strategy and programme
• Manage a programme of small/local and large-scale events
• Identify and develop new opportunities and potential partners in all sectors.
• Identify the communications, operational, strategy and capacity needs for the programme
• Be joining newly enlarged team, steering and developing the Eco Centre, helping it to realise its ambition of a Sustainability Centre for the South West.
• Play an important part in developing strategy and ensuring the organisation is well run and able to deliver, and step up, its impact on climate change and sustainability.
• Contribute to the day-to day running of the organisation and/or its operations.

What are the requirements?

This unique opportunity is for you if…

• Are experienced in events coordination and management in corporate or voluntary/statutory sectors
• Have some marketing experience
• Able to demonstrate a background in relationship development.
• Have experience of sponsorship and/or other income generation
• You work effectively with others to identify, analyse, and solve problems.
• You can use your experience and knowledge to make considered judgements
• You have a commitment to action on climate change/sustainability.

This position is open to people residing in the UK only.

Voluntary Minute Taker for the Chaseley Trust

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and experienced volunteer Minute Taker to support us at the Chaseley trust. 

· Are you an experienced minute taker who is looking to give back to the community and help towards a great cause?

· Are you available 4 times a year, on a quarterly basis to minute take at our board meetings that generally last around 3 hours?

If you are, the Chaseley trust could really benefit from your help and support. We are a registered charity providing long-term nursing and respite care for individuals facing complex disabilities, including Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, and Degenerative Neurological Conditions such as Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone, and Parkinson’s disease.

The minute taker will be asked to keep an accurate record of what happens during the meetings and what decisions are made. The notes must be taken in an impartial way and be prepared and distributed to all attendees as soon as possible once the meeting is over. 

Volunteers are so important in helping us to make sure we can support the development, independence and continued well-being of the people who use our services. Volunteers not only make a difference to the lives of our residents and their loved ones, but also to their own lives.

My Life Films is seeing to appoint a highly motivated and experienced finance professional to join its Board of Trustees, to further its aims of improving the wellbeing of people living with dementia.

ABOUT MY LIFE FILMS

My Life Films is an award-winning charity that uses film and TV to improve the lives of people living with dementia and support those who care for them, through the on demand, dementia-friendly streaming service, My Life TV and life story film-making.  

My Life TV contains video content carefully created and curated to enable people living with dementia to feel stimulated and connected to the world, improving their mental health and supporting their essential care. It contains a wide variety of high quality content: interactive activities like quizzes, singalongs, drawing & chair yoga; calming content like animal or nature programmes and slow TV; a wide range of reminiscence programmes from the 1960s onwards and much more. We work with highly respected content partners as well as producing our own programming in partnership with trusted organisations in the dementia care field and more widely.

With the My Life TV platform successfully through its testing phase, we are now scaling up its use, with a primary focus initially on the professional care sector, in order to reach as many people affected by dementia as possible.

ABOUT THE ROLE

My Life Films is seeking an experienced qualified accountant to join the Board of Trustees and act as Treasurer. 

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of My Life Films and is ultimately accountable for everything it does. Its main purpose is to provide strategic direction, governance and to ensure My Life Films has a clear, shared vision of its aims, objectives and goals, clarity on what it is aiming to achieve and how it will go about doing it.

The Treasurer is the Board lead on financial oversight, statutory reporting and governance, Chairing the Finance Committee and providing direction and support to the Executive Director. The Treasurer will also act as support on banking as secondary signatory for the charity. This role will play a pivotal role in ensuring the financial integrity, sustainability and accountability of the charity as we grow our reach and diversify our income over the coming years.

We are committed to inclusion and representation and would particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and other minoritized groups.

ROLE DESCRIPTION 

• Role title: Trustee, My Life Films (Finance)
• Location: Remote – 1 meeting p.a. in person in Greater London
• Time Commitment: Approximately half a day per month
• Renumeration: Not applicable

Purpose of Role

As a Trustee, the commitment you display will make a direct difference to My Life Films. You will bring your skills and energy to supporting our work including developing our strategy, accountability to our beneficiaries and the public.

This trustee will provide expert financial oversight, chairing the Finance Committee and helping review and steer the structuring of quarterly management accounts, annual reports, financial processes and forecasting. They will also act as second signatory on the bank account, and process the monthly payment run.

All trustees are also asked to support on promoting the profile of the charity, including helping with fundraising as needed and promotion among their networks

Time Commitment

• Prepare for and participate in Board meetings (quarterly)
• Chair the Board Finance Sub-Committee (quarterly)
• Support the Executive Director with financial management and planning (monthly check-ins)
• Approve the monthly payment run alongside the Executive Director (monthly action)
• You may also be asked to attend events and/or support staff with certain projects.

Eligibility

Only persons aged 18 years or more may serve on the Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Duty of Compliance
  Ensure My Life Films complies with its governing document and regulations, reports on what it has achieved through annual returns and accounts, remains true to its charitable purpose and as a trustee to act with integrity 
• Duty of Care
  Use reasonable care and skill in the role as Trustee, using skills and experience as needed to ensure that My Life Films is well-run and efficient
• Duty of Prudence
  Ensure that My Life Films is, and will remain, solvent, has due regard to its reserves policy, avoids undue risk and safeguards its good name and values
  Ensure that My Life Films applies its resources exclusively in pursuit of its charitable objectives

Key Duties

• Strategic Direction 
  - As part of the Board, ensure that My Life Films has a clear vision, mission and values, contributing actively to the Board's role in setting strategic direction to the organization, defining goals, targets and evaluating performance.
• Performance Management
  - Ensure that the Director receives regular, constructive feedback in managing the charity and in meeting objectives and that My Life Films measures its impact effectively.
  - Ensure that My Life Films’ values are put into practice by Trustees, staff and volunteers, with effective employment policies and processes in place.
• Financial Leadership
  - Ensure all strategic plans are financially appraised and that budget setting is aligned with objectives
  - Lead the Board review of Quarterly Management Accounts and constructively challenge and support the ED 
• Statutory Financial Reporting
  - Work with the ED, liaising with external agencies to create the Annual Report and Accounts.
  - Present the Annual Report and Account to trustees for formal approval
• Financial Safeguarding
  - Regularly assess the charity’s reserves status, advising the Board on occasions
• Financial Governance
  - Ensure that My Life Films’ legal, financial and regulatory obligations are met and that there are adequate financial controls in place, monitoring the financial position of the organization and to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to My Life Films and always in the interests of My Life Films.
• Financial Processes
  - Oversee the charity’s banking arrangements and serve as Primary User of the bank accounts
  - Approve the monthly payment run for both the Charity and subsidiary trading company (MLF Productions Ltd) alongside the Executive Director
• Good Governance
  - Ensure that My Life Films has a governance structure that is appropriate to a charity of its size and reflects the diversity of its beneficiaries.
  - Ensure that the responsibilities delegated to the Director are clearly expressed and understood, and directions given to him/her come from the Board as a whole.
  - Ensure that there is systematic, open and fair process for recruitment of Trustees, subject to the charity’s governing rules and with a Code of Conduct in place.

PERSON SPECIFICATION (Essential)

• Finance
  - Qualified accountant, with significant experience in a financial role, and ideally some experience of both non-profit as well as commercial financial management.
  - Ideally has knowledge of charity SORP regulations as well as general accounting standards
• Commitment
  - Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Trustee including the time and effort required. Commitment to equal opportunities, inclusion and the aims and values of My Life Films.
  - A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort required to do the role
• Focus
  - Ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement with a willingness to listen and learn.
• Communication 
  - Ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and in a reasoned way, taking an active part in discussions, challenging constructively and ask questions appropriately
• Accountability
  - Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment, confidentiality, standing by collective decisions and able to manage challenging situations
• Leadership & Management
  - Ability to give clear direction and strong guidance to the Executive Director, as well as leadership among the Board of Trustees on financial issues

PERSON SPECIFICATION (DESIRABLE)

• Specialist expertise / sector understanding in one or more of the following areas:
  - Social Care / Healthcare
  - Media
  - Content production and distribution
  - Subscription services
  - Charity Accounting & Law
  - Fundraising

Board and Committee Recruitment

About Us

Day One Trust’s mission is to help young people from every background to succeed in the creative industries.  Currently the Trust operates two free-to-attend academies – East London Arts & Music (ELAM - opened 2014) and London Screen Academy (LSA - opened 2019). They already have an impressive track record in getting young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds into creative industry careers. Our alumni include winners of the BRIT Rising Star and BAFTA Young Game Designer awards, and they are working across the UK games, music and screen industries.

We are supported by the largest players in the creative economy including YouTube, Working Title Films, EON Productions, Universal Music Group and Heyday Films.

Both our Academies are judged outstanding by OFSTED and the Trust’s finances are healthy. From these secure foundations we want to grow the organisation and expand our impact. We are considering projects to expand our existing academies, open new academies and find other ways to spread our unique approach to vocational education for the creative industries so that it is available to more young people. Our ambition is to do whatever it takes to future proof our creative industries and ensure that young people, no matter their background, have the foot-up that they need to make their greatest possible contribution.

About our boards

It is an exciting time to become a Board or Committee member at Day One Trust (DOT) as we look to increase the impact of our existing academies, ensuring their excellence is secured for the long term and explore opportunities to grow our impact beyond them, so young people everywhere, whatever their background, can benefit from the access to the creative industries, The Trust Board and its committees have oversight of the Trust and its academies, and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do. Our board and committees’ strengths come from the range of different skills, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives of their members. A diagram of our board and committee structure is at the end of this document.

The foundations of both DOT academies were laid by leaders in the creative industries, spanning music, film & television; most of our founders still work closely with the academies and serve on the DOT board or on one of its committees, which include the governing bodies of the academies. They are joined by others who bring expertise in Education, finance, operations, and other areas. All of our board and committee members share a passion and commitment for the organisation’s work.

Is this for you?

Our mission is to help young people from every background to succeed in the creative industries, so representation is central to our work. We are always looking to improve the diversity of our board and committees and we want to make them as representative as possible of the characteristics and lived experiences of the young people attending our academies. We strive to make our boards inclusive spaces and welcoming to different voices and perspectives. 

Whether you are an experienced trustee or wanting to take your first step at a non-executive level, we want to hear from you. We are looking for individuals with a passion for education, the creative industries & inclusion who want to use their skills and expertise or lived experiences to strengthen our governance. Candidates do not need to have previous experience of being a trustee or serving on a board. We will support you in learning about the role and the organisation through your induction and by providing ongoing support from an established board or committee member.

Commitment: For each board or committee that you join, you would be expected to attend four meetings a year as well as an annual strategy day. In addition, you would be expected to engage with the academies between meetings, using your skills, experience and expertise in the most appropriate way to have maximum impact on their success. Typically this will mean three visits to the Academies per year, which could be timed to coincide with board meetings.

Skills and knowledge we are seeking

In this recruitment round we are particularly keen to recruit people with knowledge or experience in the following areas, but we welcome applications from anyone who is passionate about what we do and able to make a contribution.

• Educational standards and quality, with an academy trust, school or FE background

• Safeguarding in post-16 education

• Special Educational Needs

• Marketing to young people and employers, especially through social media

• Leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Building and property management, including construction projects

• Fundraising

Roles available

1. Trustee to chair the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Committee

The Safeguarding and Wellbeing Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Trust safeguards all of the young people in its academies and equips them to succeed in the creative industries or their chosen careers after leaving us. Our mission is to create pathways for under-represented and disadvantaged young people into those industries. Enabling them to overcome the challenges they may face in life while at our academies and afterwards is essential to that mission and we take it just as seriously as our responsibility to keep them safe from harm. We are currently seeking a dynamic individual to assume the role of the Chair of the Committee, who would also join our Trust Board.

2. Trustee to chair the Standards and Teaching Committee

The Standards and Teaching Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Trust’s educational outcomes and the quality of educational experience it provides match that mission. We want young people, whatever their background or circumstances, to make excellent progress in our academies, to experience excellent teaching, and as a result to go on to successful careers in the creative industry, either directly after leaving or after further study. We want to recruit a chair of this committee with experience of leadership in a multi-academy trust or of academy leadership, who can help us strengthen our practice and provide support and challenge to our academy and trust staff and governors. The chair would also join our Trust Board and report on the work of the committee as well as contributing to the overall strategic direction of the Trust.

3. Members of the Standards and Teaching Committee, with one also joining the ELAM Governing body

We want to grow the membership of the Trust’s Standards and Teaching Committee with 3-4 new members to broaden the range of educational expertise in the group. The Standards and Teaching Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Trust’s educational outcomes and the quality of educational experience it provides match that mission. Your educational expertise will be instrumental in enriching the overall educational experience in the academy.

Our first priority is for one of the new members to also join the ELAM Governing Body. In this role, you will play a key part in upholding the highest education standards at  ELAM. As a Member of the ELAM Governing Body, you will report on the Standards and Teaching Committee’s scrutiny of educational standards at the academy, and actively contribute to governance discussions and decision-making processes. 

4. Property or Estates professional to join the Finance, Audit, Operations and Risk Committee

We want to extend the Finance, Audit, Operations and Risk  Committee’s knowledge and experience in property matters by recruiting individuals with experience in property development or estate management. The Trust is responsible for two unique academy buildings which provide industry standard equipment in exciting learning environments. They are now 5 and 8 years old respectively. As they begin to mature, the trust must ensure that the buildings and their facilities continue to meet the needs of students and provide an authentic industry experience for them. In addition, the Trust is planning significant expansion of the ELAM site and is exploring other growth projects, including opening new schools, which will involve constructing new buildings or converting existing sites. Ensuring that these buildings are well designed, securely funded and successfully delivered will be essential to the success of any of these future projects

Appointment Process

Closing date: 23rd August 2024

Shortlisting date: 30th August 2024

Interviews: 23rd September - 11th October 2024

To apply: please send your CV and an email explaining which role you are interested in (Chairing a particular committee, or joining as a member of the  local governor body and committee), why you are interested and what you think you would bring to the role.

Day One Trust values equality, diversity and inclusion. We exist to ensure that young people from every background can succeed in the creative industries. Our staff and students are from very diverse backgrounds  and we want our Board to reflect this. We welcome applications from anyone regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, heritage, sexuality, gender and socio-economic background. We particularly encourage applications from disabled candidates, and black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates, as these groups are underrepresented within our organisation.

This post is unpaid, but we are committed to ensuring that people  from all backgrounds are able to contribute to our boards. We are happy to pay reasonable standard class travel expenses for any applicant and we will pay the same travel costs and any childcare costs for any board members so that these are not a barrier to taking part.