Join us – Independent Age is looking for new trustees!

Would you like to use your skills and experience to help us end poverty in later life? Independent Age is the only national charity focused solely on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life. We currently achieve impact through three key activities: advice and support, grant-making, and policy, influencing and campaigning. This year, we have supported over 20,000 people who called our helpline and identified over £6.5 million in unclaimed benefits. We have awarded £3 million in grants, enabling local organisations to reach even more older people living in financial hardship. We also successfully campaigned for the Winter Fuel Payment to be restored to a large number of older people who rely on it, and to improve protections for older renters through the Renters’ Rights Act and the Housing (Scotland) Act.

We are looking to appoint several new trustees to our Board. We are interested in hearing from people who are concerned about the growing impact of poverty in later life on our society, and can bring us any of the following skills or experience:

• finance
• fundraising
• brand / marketing / engagement
• business development / transformation / innovation / technology.

Every day at Independent Age, we hear from older people who don’t have enough money for a decent standard of living. While they are resourceful, careful and resilient, and employ many tactics to make their low-income work for them, life is hard.

The people who engage with us are part of a group of two million older people living in poverty and a further million living with precarious financial security. Concerningly, our research shows that this number could rise to four million by 2040, without effective policy interventions. This projection must not become a reality.

Certain groups of people aged 65 and over are at greater risk of financial hardship, including one person households, women, people from racially minoritised groups, private renters, carers and people with long-term conditions or disabilities. We particularly encourage applications from people who have backgrounds, characteristics or perspectives that align with any of these priority groups. We’d also like to encourage applications from candidates outside the south-east of England and, in particular, from Scotland.

Previous trustee experience is not necessary because you would be joining a strong, experienced Board and we can provide mentoring and support. The time commitment will be around 1-1.5 days a month on average, focused around the quarterly cycle of board and committee meetings. Trustee roles are not paid. However, we want to help overcome the barriers some people might face to becoming a trustee. We pay reasonable travel, accommodation, subsistence and the cost of care provision for children and dependents when acting on behalf of the charity. Some of these costs can be paid upfront by the charity, if needed. We also pay reasonable costs associated with attending the initial interview.

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don’t have to be Christian to work here – we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love.

We value a good work-life balance, so we’re open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues and the option of being a homeworker for most of our roles too.

Learn about our vision, mission and values

About the role

Church Engagement and Fundraising Officers (CEFOs) lead on stewarding our supporting churches in Scotland. As part of our Church & Community Unit, they provide bespoke support to churches and community groups wishing to join our movement through campaigning, fundraising or using our worship resources. CEFOs are home-based but spend a significant amount of working time out and about meeting volunteers, attending supporter events and speaking in churches.

This role has a particular focus on supporting churches in their community fundraising and stewarding our challenge and sponsorship fundraisers. They will also lead on our involvement with the Kiltwalk.

About you

If you are a clear and confident communicator with experience in community fundraising and volunteer stewardship, we'd love to hear from you!

Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge of the church landscape in Scotland, be comfortable managing their own time, and share our passion for justice and ending poverty.

Please refer to the Role Profile for a full list of essential and desirable criteria.

About us

We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However, you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here.

The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.

About the role

Do you live in Edinburgh or the surrounding area?

As a senior community fundraiser, you’ll be an important part of the team building Breast Cancer Now’s presence in Scotland, with a particular focus on Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.

We’re looking for someone who is an experienced relationship builder, someone who can find and develop new supporters. You’ll need excellent local knowledge, and the enthusiasm to develop a brand-new fundraising region.

The successful candidate will also be part of the team working on our large-scale project supporting and growing Asda Tickled Pink, our award-winning partnership with Asda and CoppaFeel! which has already raised over £100 million.

You’ll work directly with passionate colleagues across Asda stores in your region driving new fundraising initiatives, inspiring communities and celebrating incredible successes.

No 2 days will look the same as you travel, connect and engage supporters to help us grow income to deliver our mission.

The role is initially offered as an 18-month contract with the potential to become permanent.

About you

You’re confident in approaching new contacts and are experienced in developing new relationships from scratch. This may currently be in a customer service, account management or stewardship role.

You’re experienced in managing and building new and established relationships with a focus on retention and income growth.

You’re enthusiastic, proactive, organised and unafraid to test and try new ideas.

You’re required to be involved being out and about in the community that you’re building, so you must be able to work independently outside of the office in varying locations and enjoy being busy.

Previous experience working in a charity is not required.

Job description and benefits

Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.

Primary location of role

This is a remote role, and the candidate will need to be based in the Edinburgh area with unlimited access to their own car. Regular travel will be required to meet supporters and visit Asda stores in your region, as well as occasional travel to our London, Sheffield or Glasgow office.