About the organisation
Founded in June 2020 by Sarah Fry, a parent of two adopted children and psychologist Jade Fullick, The Belay Foundation was created to fill an urgent need for practical ‘in-home’ support to families whose children have previously been in local authority care. It also provides opportunity for trauma-informed work experience and development for professionals and those in training. A gap existed in the care sector for an organisation which responded to what is felt as ‘crisis’ by many families, whilst giving valuable insight to individuals and universities into the practical management of trauma in families and communities.
We were awarded charity registration in December 2020 and were soon working with families and Local Authorities across the UK. The Belay Foundation understands that early developmental trauma can have profound impacts on children and their families, as well as the schools and communities who care for them. We have demonstrated that very positive outcomes can be achieved by early intervention and strong supportive networks.
Our main areas of focus are: finding, training and supporting people who can offer trauma-responsive childcare and respite; disability benefits advice to families and young people; training professionals and parents to understand and respond to the impact of early-life trauma.
Currently, The Belay Foundation has an income of £120k and has supported over 400 families. Feedback from those families is very positive and reflects the change from crisis to coping. We are currently conducting a major review of our services and business model to enable us to relaunch services which can be scaled to the next level and respond to an ever-expanding need. This review is being led by our new CEO, Libby McVeigh, who looks forward to working with our new Treasurer to ensure that our financial systems and processes match our ambition.
About the role
As a young, growing charity, the board of trustees have the responsibility of growing our reach and developing our offering in line with our charitable aims. The role involves a combination of preparing for and attending monthly online evening meetings, providing further support to the operational team as required, and attending an annual in-person away day.
As a trustee you will:
- Meet regularly (mostly online and in the evening) with the other trustees to shape, drive and monitor the charity’s strategy
- Scrutinise the proper management and administration of the charity
- Champion the charity’s core values
- Help develop the financial sustainability of the charity
- Consider further service delivery in line with the charity’s aims
- Promote the work of the charity and develop contacts externally
As Treasurer you will also:
- Support the development of operational financial processes, working creatively and supportively with the CEO and co-chairs to choose the right financial frameworks and tools for our needs
- Present financial reports to the board so all trustees understand the charity’s financial position
- Advise the board on how to carry out its financial responsibilities
- Oversee the preparation and scrutiny of annual accounts
The role of trustee is not paid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
On joining the organisation there will be a full induction and support to fill in any gaps in understanding/training you may have about working for a trauma-aware organisation and appropriate knowledge of safeguarding.
Our ideal candidate
Essential:
- Qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or experienced senior finance professional
- Some experience of charity finance and fundraising, with an understanding of core accounting principles and charity reporting requirements
- Excellent financial acumen, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance trustees
- Ability to scrutinise financial processes and budgets, and a willingness and ability to support with operational financial tasks
- An interest in good governance and strategy
- Experience of providing oversight of operations in an organisation
- Excellent communication skills
- Collaborative, enthusiastic and empathetic
- Able to offer 6+ hours per month in Trustee and other meetings and in small group/1:1 support; and attend one in-person away day each year.
Preferable but not essential:
- Experience of a trustee role
- Personal or professional interest in adoption, special guardianship and/or kinship care
- Experience in supporting the growth of a small organisation from its origins to its next stage
In accordance with our commitment to equal opportunities and improving the diversity of our Board, we particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds, who are currently under-represented in our governance structure. Depending on experience you may need to attend online training on being a (specialist) board member and/or safeguarding.
Please send your CV and a covering letter to Matt Humberstone and San Ting Gilmartin, Co-Chairs of Trustees: matt@thebelayfoundation.org.uk by midnight on Sunday 9 th November. We hope to schedule interviews during w/c 24th November 2025.
What’s in it for you
Would you like to:
- use your skills and experience in organisational finance and strategy to help some of the most vulnerable children in the UK?
- be part of a supportive, compassionate and thoughtful team who have created an effective, loved and respected service for adoptive, fostered and children in guardianships and their families?
- help a small user-led charity that has become reputationally successful and punches way above its weight to grow sustainably, yet at speed, into its next iteration and be able to serve more families?
- work in partnership with other organisations and universities to address not only the symptoms but the causes of distress and trauma in our young people and at the same time train the coming generations of psychologists, social workers and child-professionals? … Then this role is for you!
Our staff work largely remotely so most meetings are online (though our work is UK wide). This in an unpaid post but reasonable expenses will be paid. Our board is a mixture of parents, care-experienced adults and professionals, and now we hope to attract more people with specific skills that will help us grow our capacity .
Apply for the role
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