Current Board opportunities

Become a trustee

Charity trustees are some of the most important people in a charity.

The bottom line is, good governance led by a charity’s board is no longer an optional extra. It’s essential to charities’ effectiveness and probably their survival too. Charities need to be able to demonstrate that they take it seriously, allowing it to change the way they operate.

Charities need a wide range of skills from their trustees, to understand and address the many challenges charities can face. They need trustee boards that can challenge one another and the status quo, that bring different experiences, knowledge and ideas, but that are able to work consistently and enthusiastically as a team.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities below please get in touch.

Specialist Volunteer Network

Current Specialist Volunteer trustee opportunities

Edinburgh

Tap into IT – is an Edinburgh-based charity and social enterprise that empowers older people through technology, reducing social isolation and encouraging community connections. The charity work with organisations, groups and individuals to provide a range of tech support services, currently reaching over 300 people with 1.75 FTE staff and 30 volunteers. Tap into IT seek an experienced, committed Chairperson to lead their Board of Directors and support their mission. The organisation are looking for someone with experience in social enterprise, charity, finance, or marketing and familiar with Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 or other online office platforms.

Independent Arts Projects (IAP) – are now looking for new people to join their Board of Trustees. Based in Leith, IAP creates performance projects (artworks and experiences) that connect artists and communities. Projects often explore themes of identity and aim to make space for people to be themselves and see themselves. IAP believe everyone has a right to creativity and all of its positive personal, social and wellbeing related benefits. IAP is a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity. The charity are seeking up to 3 new trustees to join our board this year.

Glasgow

SCIAF – is the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund – the official relief and development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland and based in Glasgow. Around the world, SCIAF works with people of all faiths and none. The charity works in partnership with local and church organisations, supporting communities across the world to bring about lasting change. They are recruiting a number of governance roles including: Integral Human Development – Committee Member, Trustee position x2 (1 with International Development Experience), and Chair of the Finance, Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee. Please reach out for more information.

Other locations

Ayrshire Independent Living Network (AILN)– initially grew from a group of disabled people who wanted to see a change in the way that community care services were offered to people. When direct payments were first introduced in 2003 they were keen to promote this as an option for independent living. AILN have been providing high quality Self-Directed Support (SDS) advice and information to the people of Ayrshire for over a decade. AILN would like to hear from anyone who has a passion for promoting independent living for everyone and has a keen willingness to support the vision, mission and values of the organisation. AILN are looking for Directors who are enthusiastic, have good communication skills and expertise in one or more of the following: Lived experience, either yourself or family member using a Self-Directed support budget; HR; An understanding of the UK charity sector, good governance, OSCR requirements, relevant legislation and statutory requirements; Business Development; IT/Social Media; or Legal. AILN are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all members of the community.

Under The Trees – is a Company with Charitable Status, based in Falkirk. UTT became a charity in 2018, having moved from a sole trader to a CIC to charity status. The organisation operates across central Scotland providing outdoor learning opportunities to all age groups, backgrounds, and abilities. UTT work in areas of deprivation, providing the opportunity for people to get outdoors, engage with each other and engage with nature. During the COVID-19 pandemic UTT were working flat-out delivering sessions and training along with lots of cleaning. Having emerged into a slightly different world they now have lots of housekeeping to do in order to ensure the future smooth running of Under the Trees and the continuation of their important work. UTT are looking to strengthen the experience on the board by recruiting someone with experience of financial management at a senior level within similarly sized, or larger organisations so that they can improve their accounting processes to make answering funder financial queries easier.

Moray Rape Crisis – established in 2018 – provides therapeutic support, information and advocacy for children, young people and adults of all genders, aged 11 and over, in the Moray area, who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. The charity also work directly with young people in schools and youth settings, and with strategic partners, towards preventing sexual violence. The charity are seeking motivated Trustees to help govern their growing and developing service in Moray. Working to intersectional feminist values, Moray Rape Crisis are seeking a diverse range of women with a commitment to the work they do across Moray. The charity are particularly interested in applicants with knowledge and experience of HR, finance, communications and marketing, and fundraising. Please note only women need apply under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Wellbeing Scotland – based in Alloa, supports individuals who have been affected by childhood abuse. They offer holistic services across Scotland to people who have been impacted by any form of abuse as a child. Their dedicated, qualified team provide counselling and emotional support, advocacy, group work and other therapeutic interventions. They have an established specialism in supporting survivors of abuse in care, including help with getting access to historical records. Their aim is to empower people to live a full and healthy life, free from the long-term effects of the impact of childhood abuse. Currently Wellbeing Scotland has six Board members all of whom are very committed, however having just completed a skills audit they have gaps in finance, business development, media and communication, and human resources. They have a finance team but need someone on the Board with experience in finance to support the Board with their strategic planning.

Wheatley Group – is one of the UK’s most dynamic, agile and best-performing housing, care and property-management groups.?Their mission is ‘Making Homes and Lives Better’. Owning and managing over 93,700 homes, Wheatley is Scotland’s largest housing group and delivers award-winning services to over 210,000 people across 19 local authorities in Scotland. Wheatley are looking to recruit Non-Executive Directors and trustees across their Group partners. These roles are non-remunerated and will involve approximately six days’ commitment per annum. If you have skills in one or more of the following areas, and are interested in finding out more, then please get in touch; Strategic housing and/or asset management; Finance and audit; Health and social care; and General commercial business, finance and management.

Find out more on the partner websites:
Wheatley Homes East
Wheatley Homes South
Loretto
Wheatley Care

If you interested in receiving FREE trustee training please contact elaine@inspiringscotland.org.uk for more information.

Free Support: SCVO

Access the SCVO Trustee Network

Need help or support in your role as a trustee? SCVO has created a Trustee Network in partnership with CCLA to provide support and guidance for members of boards and committees. They provide news on relevant topics, webinars where you can hear from experts and share your own learning and experience.