About the organisation
Age UK Surrey is an independent local charity providing services across the whole of the county of Surrey to help people aged 50+ make the most of their life.
Our Vision and Values:
Our Vision: A county where older people can live well and make the most of later life.
Our Values: We are compassionate, creative and collaborative and person-centred.
We were formerly known as Age Concern Surrey and joined the Age UK Network in 2016. We are a proudly independent and expert organisation with a strong reputation for providing vital support to older people, and their families, right across Surrey,
We have an experienced staff team of around 60 and an active volunteer team of 370, out of a total of more than 450 currently registered, and a strong local presence across Surrey.
We presently lease and own buildings in Milford, Godalming, Caterham and Ash and we run a range of events and activities from our Clockhouse Community Centre.
Since 2022 we have operated a portfolio of three retail shops in Haslemere, Lingfield and Esher [now moved to East Molesey] which enable us to engage with local communities, fundraise and provide volunteering opportunities for local people.
The majority of our income is raised from grants, legacies and contracts with Surrey County Council. The balance of income is generated through our Clockhouse Community Centre and the dementia support, activities, and classes it provides; trading activities; donations; community fundraising and investments. To ensure our sustainability, we must diversify the sources of our income.
We aim to continue our core and current services with an ambition to fill identified gaps in delivery within Surrey and seek opportunities to raise income.
We recognise that there are a number of barriers to good health and independence for older people in our county such as poverty (including fuel poverty and the challenges caused during winter), unclaimed benefits, health inequalities prevalent in areas of the county, loneliness and isolation, dementia, the high costs of care (both domiciliary and residential) and housing costs, particularly for rental properties, and digital exclusion which impacts on so many aspects of life.
We want to be the leading provider of support services and advice to older people across Surrey.
About the role
Applications are warmly invited from potential volunteers who wish to join our Board of Trustees. We do not require previous board experience and very much encourage applicants from across our diverse communities in Surrey. We will provide a wide range of support, training and development opportunities.
Hours: Approximately 3-6 hours per month
Supported by: Board and Chair of Trustees and CEO
Location: Meetings in Milford, Godalming with visits across Surrey.
Role on the Board:
To work as part of the Board of Trustees team:
In providing a governance framework for the Charity and be able to make effective decisions and be accountable to the Charity commission.
You would contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in defining: the strategic direction of the organisation, goals, targets, overall policy and evaluating organisational performance against agree strategic targets.
You would protect the reputation of our Charity.
You would attend quarterly Board meetings and potentially, committee metings twice yearly. Attendance at Board Meetings is in person or remote.
Finance Trustee Role involves:
Maintaining an overview of the organisation's financial affairs, ensuring stability with accurate and timely reporting and advise Trustees as appropriate.
Advising fellow Trustees on the Board on the approval of budgets, accounts and financial statements and to assure the Charity's Board of the organisation's financial integrity.
Advising on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans and key assumptions in the operational plan and budget.
Providing assurance that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs and to have an appropriate reserves policy.
Ensuring there is an appropriate investment policy.
Monitoring the effectiveness of internal financial controls.
Examining management accounts, budgets and providing reports to the Charity Board on a regular basis as needed.
Ensuring statutory accounts are properly filed with the appropriate authorities and annual returns are submitted promptly.
Scrutinising Board papers and other communications.
Abiding by Age UK Surrey's policies and procedures and ensuring these are effectively implemented.
Participating in activities to promote the Charity to our beneficiaries, funders and the wider public.
Being willing to provide the level of commitment required for this role.
Thinking strategically about our Charity and about its future direction.
Thinking independently and creatively.
Challenging contstructively and courteously.
Being a team player.
Complying with the Age UK Brand Partnership Agreement and Charity Commission guidance.
Being responsbile for the financial position of the Charity ensuring it is operating effectively and efficiently and delivers on the outcomes defnited in the governing document.
Setting the strategic direction and delegating operational responsuibility to the CEO.
Ensuring the organisation complies with the governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation and regulations.
Ensuring the organisation uses its resources effectively.
Protecting and managing the property of the Charity and ensuring the proper investment of the Charity's funds.
Our ideal candidate
We are looking ideally for a candidate with the following skills, experience and qualities:
Accounting, Finance and Income Generation skills
.
A knowledge of setting and managing budgets.
The ability to ensure that financial systems and controls are robust.
Ensuring appropriate investments are made for the Charity.
Examining management accounts and budgets and providing financial reports.
Ensuring statutory accounts are properly filed and returns submitted promptly.
Ensuring the funds of the Charity meet its current and future needs and having appropriate reserves.
Monitoring the Charity's finances and ensuring financial stability and integrity.
An understanding of the needs of older / elderly people and wanting to make a difference to their lives.
What’s in it for you
In joining our Board you will be playing a critical part in ensuring our services and support are provided to older / elderly people in the communities of Surrey and with financial stability we can provide our Charitable services to those who need our help.
You will help us with our Financial Resilience and Income Generation which will enable us to meet our goal to be the leading provider of supportive services and advice to older / elderly people across Surrey.
You will enable us to extend our services and increase our reach across Surrey supporting more older / elderly people who are lonely and isolated and disconnected from their communities and help us make a positive difference in their lives.
By joining our Board you will help strengthen our financial resilience and assist us with our income generation and income diversification.
Apply for the role
Please provide a short cover note setting out your motivations for volunteering for the organisation, any relevant skills/experience and why you think you might be a suitable candidate.
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