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

Art in Healthcare – is a registered charity and company limited by guarentee, whose mission is to provide engaging and impactful creative opportunities to support and improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of individuals in Scotland. Many of these activities take place in community, health and social care settings. The charity currently have two vacancies on their Board of Directors and would like to use this opportunity to broaden the range of experiences, perspectives and skills that inform their governance. Applications from all backgrounds and communities are encouraged. AIH are looking for individuals who are interested in the charity’s work, align with their values and want to help to achieve AIH’s aims. It is important that Directors can act as ambassadors for the charity. AIH are particularly keen to hear from individuals with experience and knowledge of charity fundraising and income generation.

Health in Mind – are one of Scotland’s best-known and trusted mental health charities. Since 1982, they’ve evolved in response to need and now promote positive mental health and wellbeing in local communities across Scotland. The charity’s vision is that everyone in Scotland has positive mental health and wellbeing and can access high-quality support if, when and how they need it. Board Trustee Directors are responsible for Health in Mind’s governance and strategy, and for making sure that the charity is administered effectively. They have ultimate accountability for its activities and outcomes. Health in Mind Board of Directors currently comprises 12 members. They are currently seeking applications from people who have: Lived experience of mental health difficulties; Health and social care expertise and experience; Finance expertise and experience; and Human Resources experience. You don’t need to have been on a Board before – the charity offer a full induction and ongoing learning and development opportunities. Health in Mind are committed to reflecting the communities they serve and would particularly welcome applications from people who are currently under-represented on their Board, including disabled people, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities and people aged under 50.

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

Medics Against Violence – are a charity founded and led by healthcare professionals who believe prevention is better than cure. By adopting a public health approach, the charity believe in working in partnership to create a better Scotland. Medics Against Violence is seeking a committed individual with experience in finance or business to join their board of directors. The desired board member should have the skills and experience to oversee the financial governance of a charity. They will be responsible for ensuring that the charity’s funds are used effectively and ethically, in line with its mission and vision and help set and monitor the charity’s budget, financial policies, risk management, and investment decisions. The desired trustee will work closely with the CEO, and other trustees, to ensure transparency and accountability in the charity’s financial affairs. The ideal person will have a strong background in accounting, finance, or business, and ideally some knowledge of the charity sector and the regulatory framework that governs it.

Easterhouse Henosis – is a charity that was set up to reopen Easterhouse Sports Centre with a focus on using the space, and the power of sport, to have a positive impact on the local community. The centre is located in one of the most deprived communities in Scotland and had previously been closed to the community for over three years and has served as a COVID testing and vaccination centre. The charity, which operates as a social enterprise, is a partnership between basketballscotland (the governing body for basketball in Scotland), Easterhouse Phoenix (a charity supporting the local community) and Easterhouse Community Sports Hub (a collection of sports club who operate locally and work together to develop sport). The charity are currently operating on a tight budget with 4 committed and passionate staff members, supported by 3 trustees, operating the building 7 days per week. Easterhouse Henosis are looking for support and expertise in a number of areas: business development, financial planning, marketing, fundraising, operations and energy efficiency, legal, risk and governance.

The Sound Lab – The Sound Lab are a grassroots, volunteer-run charity providing creative opportunity to loads of communities across Glasgow and beyond. They believe music and creativity shouldn’t just be available for those who can readily access it and afford it: it should be available to everyone. Their vision is that, irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity or economic background, everyone should be able to access the resources and support they need to fulfil their creative potential.

Neigbourhood Networks – based in Glasgow supporting vulnerable adults mainly with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health issues to live an independent life, safely, within their own homes and be fully involved within their local communities. Their employed Community Living Workers, who reside in the same areas as their members, provide personalised support plans tailored to individual needs. The goal is to improve the quality of life for their members by promoting independence, enhancing essential life skills, creating friendships, and helping members become less reliant on paid support. Neighbourhood Networks have 30 networks across 9 local authorities, they also work in partnership with people, agencies, and local authorities from other areas in Scotland to develop and create new networks which respond to local community needs.

Other locations

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

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.

Flexible Childcare Services Scotland – with centres in Dundee (registered address), Inverness, Keith and across Aberdeenshire. FCSS has been created to challenge the inflexibility of current childcare provision across the country and to ensure equity of early years’ and childcare experience for all children regardless of family circumstances, location or specific needs. FCSS are now seeking new Trustees to join their board and help to drive flexible childcare across Scotland. Board Trustees are responsible for the charity’s governance and strategy, and for making sure that the charity is administered effectively. They must account for its activities and outcomes. The Board are looking for trustees with the following skills/experience: early learning and childcare, Third sector finance, and working with local and national policy makers.

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.