About the organisation
We are best known for our advocacy services. Advocates are independent professionals who work with people to help them understand their options, know their rights and say what they want. This helps to make sure that people are involved as much as possible in decisions about their lives, health and care, or are represented where required. Advocacy is a statutory right for eligible people. This includes people detained under the Mental Health Act and people who are deemed under the Mental Capacity Act to lack capacity to make decisions about where they will live or the medical treatment they will receive.
An advocate can support someone to:
● Communicate their views and wishes
● Understand their rights
● Understand any processes and decisions they are subject to
● Understand the options they have
● Challenge a decision
Even when someone can’t tell their advocate what they want, our advocates will use a range of approaches to establish their views and wishes as far as possible and secure their rights.
About the role
There are four Board meetings per annum. Board meetings tend to be online, but face-to-face, or hybrid meetings may take place from time to time. There would also be a commitment to two to four committee meetings per annum, a Board strategy or development day and site visits. Each Trustee will usually belong to at least one committee.
Key accountabilities:
● Contribute actively to the Board’s role in setting strategy
● Maximise VoiceAbility’s social impact
● Safeguard VoiceAbility’s charitable objectives, activities, and values
● Hold the Executive to account for delivering VoiceAbility’s strategic objectives
● Ensure the financial sustainability of VoiceAbility, and that appropriate financial controls and policies are in place and reviewed regularly
● Ensure there is an effective process in place for monitoring and managing risk
● Devote the necessary time and effort to develop a good understanding of VoiceAbility and its work by reading papers and participating in sub-committees, working groups and others as required
● Contribute to and help to drive improvements in the Board’s own performance ensuring an effective, high-performing team
Our ideal candidate
To take on the responsibility of the role of Trustee, individuals need to be engaged and motivated in the work and mission of VoiceAbility. Commitment, engagement and reliability are key to fulfilling your responsibility as a Trustee.
We are looking for individuals who think strategically, exercise sound judgement and bring proven leadership or business skills, alongside a strong understanding of the trustee role. You will be collaborative by nature, while also confident in offering independent challenge and perspective. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with expertise and senior-level experience in Finance, HR, IT and Safeguarding, and for people with lived experience of using health, social care or welfare services or with experience working in those sectors.
Priority
● Sound independent judgement, strategic vision and the ability to think creatively
● A wholehearted commitment to the values and principles of the charity
● A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion
● Honesty and integrity, a commitment, willingness and ability to act in the best interests of the charity at all times
Essential
● A collegiate approach with strong relationship-building abilities
● A willingness to ensure that people work well together on the Board. This includes people who have experience from using services, people who have professional and business experience and people who have both
● A commitment to and awareness of safeguarding
Desirable
● An understanding of the role of a Trustee or Non-Executive and how Trustees can interact with the executive leadership team to best effect
● Prior experience of working as a Non-Executive Director or Trustee
What’s in it for you
VoiceAbility exists to have a tangible positive impact on people’s lives. We work with people who are often the most marginalised in society, and by joining us as Chair or a Trustee you will have the opportunity to contribute to our impact. As well as the personal satisfaction of giving something back, volunteering with us in this way will afford the
opportunity for you to utilise and develop your existing skills to grow our charity. As well as working with people directly to make our society better, fairer and more inclusive, VoiceAbility has a national influence, shaping policy and having impact on decision makers. We would love you to join our journey.
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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