Volunteer Trustees Volunteer Roles

What we are looking for

As a small charity we have a committed and enthusiastic team of employees and volunteers on the ground who work to support our young people and their carers. As Roots looks to expand its work and programmes, we are seeking to enhance our board in order to embed a new strategic plan and provide support to the growing number of employees.

We are specifically interested in trustees who have experience in any of the following areas to strengthen our existing skills set.

• Finance, accounts and budgets 

• Campaigning 

• Change Management 

• Comms and Marketing

• Legislation in relation to the organisation's work and charitable status.

• Monitoring and evaluating performance

• Health and Safety 

We are particularly keen this time to recruit Trustees with relevant lived experience, such as care leavers and kinship carers.

We also encourage applications from young, disabled or Welsh speakers, and people that live in Swansea and the surrounding areas, as these groups are currently under represented on our Board. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable but not essential. 

We are also particularly interested in recruiting a Treasurer. As the organisation grows and receives more funding, it is important that we have a Trustee experienced in financial management, who can oversee the accounts and budgets as well as advising on the financial implications of the new strategic plan. 

Role on Trustee board: 

• To oversee the strategic development and growth of the charity in line with its aims and objectives.

• To support events and be an active and contributing member of the trustee board and its activities.

• To take the lead in agreed areas, working with sub groups that could include employees and feedback to the wider board. 

Commitment required: 

We meet as a Board every two months, usually on a Tuesday at 5pm for 2 hours. The Trustees will be provided with the relevant papers in advance of meetings, preparation and reading for the meeting usually takes about an hour. 

There is an expectation that Trustees are available for 80% of these meetings (ie 5 per year) and to undertake agreed tasks outside of these times. The monthly commitment is approximately 6 hours per month, including meetings and meeting preparation. 

The Trustees also meet twice a year in person at Roots, usually in the spring for half a day and autumn for a full day. 

We are seeking Trustees that will also be visible and engage in activities at certain times of the year, for example celebrating successes, supporting activities such as trips with young people and be public facing where agreed to promote the organisation. One Trustee per month is expected to visit Roots, for visibility and to help support the staff and young people. 

Accessibility

Should you require any reasonable adjustments for this role, to make it more accessible, please let us know. 

Reimbursement / allowance entitlement.

Trustees will be entitled to mileage allowance and other reasonable expenses to attend meetings in person and take part in agreed activities. 

We will provide induction and ongoing training. Due to the nature of our work with young people, an enhanced DBS check is required for this role. 

About Home-Start Barnet, Brent & Harrow

Home-Start helps families with young children through their challenging times. We support families in the boroughs of Barnet, Brent and Harrow who are facing issues such as loneliness, isolation, financial difficulties, anxiety, post-natal depression, ill health, multiple births or disabilities. We help them grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and forge links with the local community. 

About the Role:

We are seeking a new Chair to join our Board. As our Chair, you will be passionate about our mission, and will have the drive and motivation to lead the Trustee Board to achieving our goals. We expect that you will have some experience of senior leadership and the ability to offer strategic support and direction to the charity.

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• Charity Governance and Compliance
• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Experience in the nonprofit sector in a paid or voluntary capacity
• Understanding of the challenges faced by families in the community

We are very committed to developing a diverse board that is representative of the local families we work with and understand the complex challenges many of them face. This might include lived experience of parenting challenges, migration, being from a minoritised racial community, life on a low income, being LGBTQ+, neurodivergent or having a disability. We also welcome applications from those with experience of our work, as a supporter, a family or volunteer.

Previous experience of being a trustee is welcome but not necessary – we can provide a thorough induction and support for those wishing to gain their first trustee role.

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

ABOUT THE ROLE

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

Main responsibilities

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

Main duties

Developing and reviewing strategic aims

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

Ensuring policies and practice are effective and in keeping with aims

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

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

Creating the right culture

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

THE PERSON

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

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

Part 1

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

 Part 2

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

Other essential criteria

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

 APPOINTMENT TERM

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

REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

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

Are you interested in the personal and professional development of local young people?

Play an important role in the functioning of our Trustee board.

We are looking for a new Trustee Safeguarding Lead.

Overview 

Esteem works with young adults aged 14 - 26 to build lasting self-Esteem and stronger communities through group activities and 1-2-1 support. 

Esteem creates spaces where everyone matters.

Esteem works with over 200 young adults annually across all of Sussex who face barriers to achieving their life goals. We have a base in Shoreham and offer a variety of different opportunities, including social drop-in sessions, mentoring, wellbeing sessions, volunteering and counselling. We have a dedicated staff team with various backgrounds and a commitment to championing the views of young adults throughout the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to volunteer for a charity that is passionate about giving young adults the chance to develop their skills and confidence, both for their own benefit and for that of society as a whole. Esteem works with young adults to run Wellbeing, Social, Mentoring and Volunteering opportunities, with a youth-led and asset-based approach.

This voluntary role of Trustee Safeguarding Lead is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the effective implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures within Esteem. The role requires a commitment to protecting the welfare of all beneficiaries, volunteers, and staff, ensuring that the organisation meets its legal and moral obligations to safeguard vulnerable individuals.

As part of the Board of Trustees you will be jointly and severally responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. All trustees should also be aware of, and understand, their individual and collective responsibilities, and should not be overly reliant on one or more individual trustees in any particular aspect of the governance of the charity.

Individuals are sought who have a strong empathy with Esteem’s goal of enabling young adults to flourish. The Trustee Safeguarding Lead will be expected to contribute around 6 hours per month to the organisation, including board meetings, which run for two hours every two months, from 6-8pm at The Old School House, Shoreham. A minimum commitment of two years would be preferable. This post requires some flexibility due to the nature of Esteem being a growing organisation.

Your regular tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Attend Board meetings on Tuesday evenings every 8 weeks at Esteem, from 6-8pm

• Read meeting minutes and pre-reading documents ahead of meeting (sent at least 1 week before the meeting)

• Contribute to all aspects of Esteems Strategy and maintain oversight of the organisation

• Provide strategic oversight and guidance on all safeguarding matters at governance level

• Ensure safeguarding is embedded in the organisation’s culture, practices, and decision-making processes

• Develop, review, and update safeguarding policies and procedures to comply with legal requirements and best practices

• Ensure that these policies are effectively communicated and implemented across the organisation

• Promote awareness and understanding of safeguarding policies among trustees

• Ensure that appropriate safeguarding training programs are developed and delivered regularly

• Monitor compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures

• Ensure that safeguarding incidents are appropriately recorded, investigated, and reported

• Work alongside the DSL to report on safeguarding issues to the board of trustee, highlighting any risks or areas for improvement

• Work with DSL to prepare and present regular safeguarding reports and updates to the board

• Keep abreast of developments in safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practices

• Recommend improvements to safeguarding policies and practices

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience in a safeguarding role within a similar organisation or setting

• Knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practices

• Strong understanding of the safeguarding needs of vulnerable individuals

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently

• Strong organisational and leadership skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Commitment to working towards Esteem’s values of Trust, Support, and Respect

Desirable:

• Professional qualification in social work, education, healthcare, or a related field.

• Experience in a trustee or governance role.

• Knowledge of Charity law and the voluntary sector.

• Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting young adults. 

• Have knowledge of Google Drive

Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory vetting and barring checks.

What we offer

• A Diverse and Inclusive Environment: Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to Esteem’s values and how we work. We are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and support young adults and staff from different backgrounds so they can be their best selves. Our networks include All Sorts (LGBTQIA+), Adur Refugees and Possibility People.

• Wellbeing Activities: You will be invited to attend wellbeing activities that our staff team and young adults enjoy every three months in our Wellbeing Week.

• Training Opportunities: You will be invited to training opportunities.

Applicants that are offered an interview will be asked to provide two referees and bring ID to the interview to enable us to take up references and undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Esteem welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and promote inclusion through our activities, as well as in our policies and practices. Our culture and values reinforce this. We seek to create an inspiring and inclusive environment where all feel valued and able to contribute to the organisation.

If you have the skills, knowledge and drive that we are looking for, and are passionate about making a real difference in young adults' lives, we would love to hear from you.

Could you be a Trustee?

Are you based in the West or East Midlands and looking for an opportunity to create positive social change, meet new people and learn new things?

Music Therapy Works is looking for three-to-four committed, motivated people to join the Board as Trustees, enabling even more people to benefit from music therapy.

We are looking, in particular, for one or more of the following skills/experience to complement our existing Trustees:

• Fundraising
• Marketing and communications
• Digital
• ICT strategy management skills
• Safeguarding
• Project or operational management
• Performance management
• Strategic planning

We also want our Board to reflect the diverse community that MTW supports. We would particularly like to hear from you if you:

• have a background in social care and/or safeguarding
• have a background in music therapy or a related field
• reflect MTW’s beneficiaries. For example: are you a disabled person? Do you have mental health needs? Are you a parent or teacher of a young disabled person, or a young person with mental health needs? Are you part of an adoptive family or do you work with children in care? Are you a carer for a person with dementia?

Whether you’re an experienced trustee or wanting to take up your first position at board level, we really want to hear from you! It is not necessary for you to have previous experience as a Trustee - training will be provided. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, but you must be over 18 years old.

What do you get out of being an MTW Trustee?

We recognise that volunteering with us is a two-way process and are keen to ensure you get the most out of your time with us:

• Being a Trustee is a great way to ‘give something back’ while developing your skills in leadership, influencing, debating, negotiating, strategic and organisational planning. You will have the opportunity to meet, network and learn from people who may have very different professional backgrounds and life experiences to your own
• We provide an induction pack for new Trustees to help you quickly feel settled in
• We provide opportunities for training and development
• Every new trustee is assigned a Board buddy to help them to feel part of the team
• We offer reasonable expenses

Interested? What to do next:

1. For full details about being an MTW trustee, including a role description, please download and read the Candidate Pack
2. To register an initial expression of interest, please email us. We will be happy to discuss any queries you may have about the role or the recruitment process generally
3. If you want to apply, please complete the application form on our website and attach a copy of your CV. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the form as a Microsoft Word document from MTW's website and send it with a copy of your CV 
4. If you require any materials in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to ask
5. The closing date for applications is Sunday 11th August 2024
6. Interviews will be held in person in Worcester on 5th and 6th September 2024, with an online option if absolutely necessary

We really look forward to hearing from you! Check out MTW's website - musictherapyworks. co. uk/jobs for a full candidate pack and application form.

Refugee Support Devon aims to create a community where refugees can achieve their full potential and be treated as equal members of society. We support refugees and their families by providing the protection they need, aiding in their successful settlement within the local community, and helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and respect.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of Trustees at Refugee Support Devon. As Chair, you will have a unique chance to champion the charity’s mission to support and empower refugees and asylum seekers as they rebuild their lives.

What will you be doing?

The Chair leads the board of trustees, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the manager. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

Time Commitment is estimated as equivalent to 2-4 days per month.

What are we looking for? 

• Experience of being a trustee or a CEO. (You do not need to have been a Chair before) 
• A keen sense of strategic purpose. 
• An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing. 
• The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment. 
• An understanding of issues facing refugees and asylum seekers. 
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 
• Be responsive. As a small charity, things sometimes ‘come up’ that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to. It is very helpful to have a Chair who is available and responsive.

What difference will you make?

"RSD has been supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Exeter and across the county for over 20 years and has built a community of committed, dedicated staff, volunteers and community supporters. We are all proud of the essential work that we continue to deliver, to support some of the most vulnerable in our community. A new Chair would bring fresh perspectives to the Board’s strategy." - Current RSD Chair, Jenny Longford

How to Apply

Reach Volunteering are supporting Refugee Support Devon with their Board recruitment. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills would add value to the board. 

About us

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a pan-London organisation that supports women and girls affected by all forms of gendered-based violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls who have experienced, or are at risk of, gendered-based violence, whilst working towards a society free of gendered-based violence.

We do this by:

• Providing women-only holistic and seamless therapeutic services, which meet women and girls’ needs and contribute to total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.
• Evidencing the impact of gendered-based violence and presenting this information in appropriate forums to affect social change in attitudes towards, and responses to, gendered-based violence.
• Developing good practice in the sector by providing training and guidance on specialist service provision and the development of culturally appropriate service delivery.

About the opportunities

WGN is now looking for additional committed women professionals to join our existing dynamic and dedicated Trustees, we are seeking number of trustees including treasurer. We are in particular encouraging Black African or Caribbean candidates  to apply to align with the agenda of WGN.

Our ideal trustees:

• Are committed to supporting women and girls affected by gendered-based violence
• Have feminist/womanist and anti-racist values and principles
• Have a strong understanding of intersectionality
• Have the ability to think strategically and creatively about service delivery and development
• Have an understanding of the women’s / VAWG / voluntary sector
• Want to advance WGN’s aims and objectives
• Have well-developed leadership skills
• Have previous governance experience (desirable).

About you

The ideal candidates will also offer expertise, skills and experience in one of the following areas:

• Financial management
• Human resources management
• Strategic development
• Safeguarding
• Legal
• Policies and procedures related to WGN’s work.

Additional information

Trustees are required to attend six meetings a year. In addition, trustees are required to attend induction training and Away Days are usually held once a year. There may also be sub-committees that Trustees wish to join, and one Trustee member is invited to be on interview panels for any senior management recruitment. Trustees are also required to read documents and emails between meetings.

How to apply

Please visit our website to download the vacancy documents. Completed applications and equal opportunities monitoring forms should be submitted by 9am on Monday 21 October 2024.

Further Information

We will aim to get back to you within four weeks of your application with an invitation if you are successful. If you have not received a response to your application within 4 weeks you can assume your application has unfortunately not been successful on this occasion.

Please note if you are successful at the application and interview stages, you will be required to attend WGN’s Induction Training.

All posts are subject to pre-volunteering checks including DBS, references, and social media background screening.

WGN is an equal opportunities employer.

The above post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1

Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI) is seeking new Trustees

Commitment: 2-3 hours per month

Location: Exeter/Hybrid

Contract: voluntary

ECI has an active board of trustees known as the ECI Council. The trustees set the strategic direction of the organisation and oversee the governance required to deliver innovative projects and programmes that meet the needs of people in Exeter and wider Devon.

We are seeking multiple trustees to strengthen and diversify our board. We are particularly interested in hearing from people who have skills and experience in the following areas:

• Using ECI’s services or similar services of other organisations.
• Have relocated to Exeter and/or have faced challenges finding a sense of belonging in their community.
• Child and/or adult safeguarding.
• Human resources, particularly employee relations/employment law
• Law/Legal services.
• We are keen to hear from younger applicants as we want to ensure we are including the
  perspectives of young people.

About the role

 As a voluntary trustee you will play an important role in the success of ECI as part of the board team. Your responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to the strategic direction of ECI.
• Advocating for the services we provide and the positive outcome they have for our community.
• Governance oversight to ensure we operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Networking/utilising your skills to enhance our reach and impact.

The board of trustees meet bi-monthly, usually alternating between in person and online, with meetings taking place on weekday evenings. In addition, we will look for your engagement and support in areas of work that your skillset and experiences lend themselves to on an ongoing basis.

All reasonable travel and other associated expenses will be reimbursed in line with ECI’s travel allowance policy.

You don’t need to have previous experience as a charity board trustee – we will give you the support that you need to learn about us and your role.

ECI is an equal opportunities employer and we will provide reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the process. Please contact us to identify any additional support that you might require to enable you to make an application. 

We're looking for three new individuals to join our Trust Board and help us deliver our vision to be champions of excellence in girls’ education.

This is an exciting time to join the Girls’ Learning Trust, as we emerge from the impact of the pandemic and build towards our future. The Trust is financially strong, is led by a team of talented individuals, and all our schools are high performing. Our governance is professional and robust, and we are now looking at the next stage of our development with a new CEO and Executive Leadership Team at the helm of the Trust.

As we look to our medium-term future, we recognise the importance of succession planning and ensuring that we have individuals with the right level of experience in the organisation’s governance. A number of our longest serving Trustees are due to finish their terms of office over the next two years, and we are therefore recruiting a ‘wave’ of three new individuals to join our Board. This will give us the perfect blend of renewal within our current membership, as well as set the organisation up positively for the future.

Key responsibilities for the role include:

• Strategic Leadership: approving and championing the vision, ethos and strategy of the Trust.
• Accountability: holding the organisation and each other to account for driving up educational standards and financial performance.
• People: ensuring the Trust recruits, retains and develops staff with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity.
• Structures: approving and upholding the governance structure that reinforces clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and ensures the right decisions are made by the right people at the right time.
• Compliance: ensuring the Trust complies with statutory and contractual requirements as required by relevant regulation.
• Evaluation: continually monitoring and reporting against key indicators to improve quality and impact.

The successful candidates:

Although we’re open to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds (your skills and values matter to us more than anything), we’re particularly keen to hear from those with an experience in financial management, estates management and education leadership.

Our commitment:

The Girls’ Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and trustees to share this commitment. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all Trustees to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure and any further checks deemed appropriate to establish your suitability. 

Closing Date 1 October 2024

We Are Family is hiring! We have an exciting role within our adopter peer support community to join us as our Chair of Trustees. 

We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees with a strong understanding of the challenges facing adoptive parents and who shares our commitment to supporting adopters and prospective adopters throughout their adoption journey. Ideal candidates will have strong governance knowledge, the capacity to think strategically, work collaboratively and lead the Trustees in making significant contributions to our future.

You will join the Board as the organisation heads into its second decade, with established services, partnerships and a growing membership base. Our quality and consistency of service provision is leading to exciting conversations nationally, and we are looking for our new Chair to help steer us through this next stage of growth.

To take an active role in the charity activities.  Responsible for governance, safeguarding and strategic direction of the charity with other board members.  To work in partnership and to support contractors and volunteers helping them to achieve the aims of the organisation.

• Ensure the charity is run in accordance with the governing document, charity law, company law and that the decisions of the board and any other appropriate legislation or regulations are upheld.
• Ensure the charity pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• Work within SDAC’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies at all times.
• Assisting with the development of strategic plans and ensuring the charity operates efficiently.
• Assisting in setting organisational aims and objectives and setting priorities.
• Supporting other trustees in their roles.
• Assisting with reports and being responsible for own secretarial work.
• Attending and actively participating in monthly Zoom board meetings on a Tuesday from 6.30 to 8.30pm and yearly AGM.
• Seek out new opportunities to work with vulnerable residents in Surrey to promote the success of SDAC Ltd.

· Take delegated roles/tasks for the Board as discussed and agreed with the

Chair and report back to the Board.

· Ensure the charity’s confidentiality and safeguarding policies are adhered to with regards to the management of the charity.

· Attending in person meetings with volunteers in Guildford.

Become a Trustee of Akshaya Patra UK

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

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

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

The Trustee role

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

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

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

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

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

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

• The UK education sector.
• Fundraising.

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

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

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

Submit your application

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

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

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

We are seeking a volunteer Trustee to join the Board of Trustees at WORTH to collectively oversee the administration and financial governance of the charity. The board is our governing body, providing strategy and direction and ensuring WORTH is run according to the rules.

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals with business, finance and fundraising experience in corporate or charity sectors to join us.

About WORTH

WORTH is a charity providing long term aftercare to women affected by Domestic Abuse. We offer clients 1-1 support and a range of wellbeing groups including art, writing, music and self-defence to help rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.

We provide a safe space for clients to share experiences, give and receive practical and emotional support, learn new skills, reduce isolation, build friendships, and give women their voice back. It is a space where women can focus on their future and we can support our clients in their healing, post abuse.

To be able to provide this support we rely on a great team of volunteers with a wide skill set and a whole lot of passion to enable our services to work effectively.

Our Board of Trustees play a vital role in making sure that WORTH achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management, administration and governance of the charity. They also ensure that WORTH has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the CEO to enable WORTH to grow and thrive and support more women in need.

Trustee Duties:

• Support and provide advice on WORTH's purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee WORTH's financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve WORTH's financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to WORTH's CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in WORTH's operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of WORTH's own governance.
• Attend regular Trustee Board meetings and be adequately prepared to contribute to  discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect WORTH's interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of WORTH's objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Trustee Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising meeting papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking and skills on our Board of Trustees. We are particularly interested in candidates with business, finance and fundraising experience.

Previous governance experience is preferable but not essential. The role is open to remote and local applicants.

Applicant minimum age is 18.

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as a Board of Trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Willingness to lead according to the values of WORTH.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
• Knowledge and experience of business, finance and/or fundraising.
• An understanding of Domestic Abuse is an advantage but not essential as training will be provided.
• An understanding of client confidentiality, safeguarding, diversity and inclusivity in the services provided by WORTH.

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a two year term of office, with eligibility to renew and serve for two further terms to a maximum of six years.
• This is a voluntary unpaid position.

Time commitment

• Attending a minimum of six trustee board meetings annually, meetings are held remotely via Zoom once every two to three months.
• Attendance at ad hoc trustee meetings in addition to the minimum six annual meetings.

Are you passionate about wildlife and nature? Are you looking for a purpose- driven Trustee role? Do you have a background in HR and an interest in developing people? Unique Trustee role at a leading Swan rescue charity offers the chance to be the ‘wind beneath the wings’ of these beautiful birds, who we rescue, rehabilitate and release back into their natural habitat.

What will you be doing?

As Trustee – HR Lead, you will play a crucial role in developing our most precious and important asset: our people. You will gain valuable experience in the non -profit sector and contribute to the growth of a unique and valuable wildlife charity. This role involves engaging with an interesting and varied group of people from many different backgrounds (fellow Trustees, full and part-time site staff and Volunteers).

This is an unpaid Trustee position. We understand the importance of work-life balance and value your time. Your commitment can be tailored to fit your schedule. You’ll be working with a passionate and friendly group of Trustees and while we all work hard, we learn lots and have fun doing it!

About Swan Lifeline

Swan Lifeline is the oldest registered charity devoted entirely to the care of sick and injured swans in the Thames Valley and surrounding areas and has cared for over 30,000 sick and injured swans. We are based on the magical Island setting of Cuckoo Weir Island in Eton, Berkshire, SL4 6SS. Our aims are to RESCUE, REHABILITATE and RELEASE injured swans, and we are able to provide shelter and treatment for up to 180 at a time, returning them to the wild as soon as possible.

What are we looking for?

As our As Trustee – HR Lead, you would play a leading role (with input from fellow Trustees) in developing our HR strategy and policies. You would also be responsible for helping us recruit, train, manage and develop our staff (Full-time staff, Trustees and volunteers).

What difference will you make?

As a small charity with currently 3 employees and 20 Volunteers your skills and experience would be an invaluable addition to our board of trustees as we seek to grow and do more. Without the right balance of skilled and dedicated staff and volunteers, we cannot support swans who desperately need our help and face an uncertain future because of the Nature emergency and Avian flu. The team you build and develop will be the driving force behind continuing to sustain Swan Lifeline for the future.

Experience and Skills

We are looking for the following qualities, attributes, skills and experience:

General qualities and attributes

• Passion for animal welfare, and Swan Lifeline’s core mission.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High degree of empathy suitable for personal, informal team.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple work streams at any one time.
• Ability to lead independently but be part of a team.

Primary responsibilities of the Trustee – HR Lead

• Build a mid and long-term strategy for people.
• Develop our Volunteer offer and strategy.
• Advise and develop onboarding, training and development strategies.
• Review and update compliant People-related policies and data.
• Stay informed about HR/Charity best practices, and emerging trends.
• Develop an informative induction programme for new Volunteers.
• Working with the Volunteer Manager implement regular Volunteer outreach & satisfaction reviews to assist in long-term retention.
• Develop low-cost but high impact CPD programme for staff.

Trustee responsibilities

• An understanding of trustee legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities.
• Safeguarding the reputation of the charity.
• Ensuring financial stability of the charity.
• Ensuring SLL has a long-term strategy to achieve its objectives.
• Ensuring SLL has effective policies and procedures to achieve its goals.
• Actively participate in Trustee meetings and shared workload.
• Comply with charity law, our constitution, and other relevant legislation.
• Use your specific skills and expertise to help good decision making.
• Be an active Board member exercising our responsibilities and functions.