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

U-evolve – is an Edinburgh mental health charity for 11–21-year-olds. Founded in 2015, U-evolve support over 100 young people annually with free to access Coaching, Counselling and Therapeutic services. Each year the charity deliver over 1,000 hours of individual support to help Edinburgh’s young people feel better. U-evolve are looking for compassionate and committed people to join their board, who align with the charity’s values of kindness, empathy, inclusivity, collaboration and learning. The board are looking for passionate individuals who care deeply about youth mental health; its quality, accessibility, and availability. The charity want the board to reflect the diverse individuals they support and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Previous board experience would be advantage, but it is not essential. U-evolve are currently looking for trustees with skills in the following areas: finance, senior level voluntary sector, and therapeutic skills.

Heart of Newhaven Community – owns and manages The Heart, formerly Victoria Primary school, Newhaven, Edinburgh, as an intergenerational community hub. The charity are uniquely positioned in the heart of a very old community bordered by on going development and communities seeking a sense of place and connectedness. Their vision is that Heart of Newhaven Community’s heritage buildings bring people of all ages together to tackle loneliness and isolation. The charity are seeking a secretary with organisational skills, minute taking experience, trustee or governance experience; and/or community development experience to serve as a trustee.

Grass-roots for Everyone Awards Trust – (also known as ‘GREAT’) primary objective is the promotion of public participation in rugby and rugby-based activities in Scotland. Its specific focus is grass-roots rugby, supporting people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and abilities through a programme of grants and other assistance. As GREAT is a volunteer-led charity, its Trustees have to be engaged in all aspects of its work. Trustees have a collective responsibility for the success of the charity, which extends beyond just fundraising targets to the day-to-day running of the organisation. GREAT now seeks to appoint a Trustee who will also act as Secretary to the Charity.

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

No opportunities at present – reach out for bespoke matching.

Other locations

Project Ability – creates opportunities through inclusive art and provides a professional, welcoming and safe environment for people of all ages with disabilities and mental ill health to engage with visual art. The charity are seeking new Board Members with expertise in business development, social or commercial housing, charity and/or property law and governance. Project Ability currently has a Board of 8 directors and is looking to strengthen the Board with the addition of new directors in the following roles: strategic business development and/or business information processes; property management, contracts, and factoring; legal adviser; and board chair. This is a great opportunity if you would like to contribute to developing art opportunities for people with disabilities and mental ill health, as well as gaining professional Board experience. Project Ability are keen to create a more diverse Board to reflect the backgrounds of their participating artists and would like to encourage applications from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Firefly Arts – based in Livingston, offers theatre skills, film, and drama activity to children and young people aged 5-25 years across West Lothian. The charity aim to deliver high-quality and equitable arts activity to build confidence, aspiration, social interaction, and creative skills. The charity are seeking a Treasurer, to support the financial governance of Firefly Arts, helping ensure the sustainability of their transformative work with young people. Firefly champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, with policies supporting neurodiversity and accessible processes. As Treasurer, your role will uphold Firefly’s commitment to inclusive financial practices.

Wellbeing Scotland – based in Alloa, has been dedicated to supporting survivors of childhood abuse since 1994. The charity support children, young people, adults and families, with an established specialism in access to records for people who experienced abuse while in care. Wellbeing Scotland are a long-standing delivery partner of the Scottish Redress Support scheme. The charity are recruiting new Board members to complement and strengthen their existing skillset and help shape the strategic direction of our organisation. Wellbeing Scotland are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a background in Finance and Audit Accounting. The Charity want to hear from a diverse group of people who are keen to work collaboratively to create positive change, and who support Wellbeing Scotland’s vision.

Scottish Attachment in Action – is a national charity, based in Cardross, who believe in the importance of Attachment based relationships for all. The charity provide training, resources and have a number of projects they deliver, such as Wee BREATHERS programme, where they support education of staff through reflective spaces which improve their ability to develop connections and feel more able to manage the challenges within their role. SAIA are looking for trustees, and in particular a Treasurer their our Board of Trustees. The charity are interested in those who could help them oversee the charity, and specifically for the Treasurer role, someone who is looking to utilise accounting skills to support the third sector. SAIA encourage applications from many different backgrounds with regards to race, gender, class, sexuality and ability, and will set up shadowing opportunities for those who are interested but have not sat on a board before.

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.

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.