About
Funeral Link is a charity (SC048691) based in Dundee, which provides confidential and independent advice to promote informed choice and with intent to reduce funeral poverty. Pioneered in 2018, Funeral Link helps bereaved individuals and families save money on the cost of a funeral as well as seeking to prevent related debt. Good relationships with funeral directors and celebrants enable Funeral Link to act like a broker on behalf of low-income families and individuals seeking to say a dignified final farewell to a loved one. Ongoing bereavement support is also provided, when required, after a funeral. Separately, Funeral Link is keen to encourage more open conversations about death, dying and bereavement. From March 2019 to the end of August 2023, Funeral Link has supported individuals and families with support on funeral costs which has produced a total saving of £226,742.
Development
After six years of operation, two of the longest-serving trustees – chairperson and secretary – intend to stand down in October 2024 following the forthcoming Funeral Link AGM. They do so having been instrumental in helping Funeral Link navigate through an early phase of strategic development, from a charity targeted exclusively toward citizens in Dundee to upscaling operations to other parts of Scotland, as prompted by demand. Consequently, Funeral Link has introduced three new members of staff in 2024 to facilitate this transition, supported by a strategic plan outlining development aspirations. This transition is overseen by trustees, who meet in person in Dundee city centre around every six weeks. The chairperson primarily convenes meetings and acts as line manager to the Service Manager and the secretary records minutes for each meeting as well as reporting on actions.
Governance
Much of Funeral Link’s progress is owed to this small, committed board of trustees. Currently, there are four serving members, including a chairperson, secretary and a treasurer, all of whom contribute from collective experience in academia, accounting and voluntary sector leadership. After six years of operation and following the standing down of both the founding chairperson and secretary later this year, Funeral Link is keen to recruit a new chairperson, a new secretary and potentially one or more additional trustees in September 2024. Applications will be welcome from those keen to make a difference in the lives of bereaved people on low or limited incomes and who will bring experience of strategic expansion and funding, third sector governance, employment law, human resources as well as anyone with lived experience of bereavement, including people who used Funeral Link.
We are currently seeking passionate and enthusiastic individuals to join our dedicated volunteer Board of Trustees. We are looking for new trustees with skills and experience in Finance, IT, People Management and Fundraising. Trustees will oversee the strategic direction of the Care Home and support management to lead the organisation forward.
Anderson’s is a charity and has been providing care for the elderly for over 192 years and is well regarded locally. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has an understanding of charitable organisations, business management and governance.
The full Board meets every 2 months normally on a Thursday afternoon and there are three sub-committees which meet once every 4 to 6 weeks. Meetings normally last for up to 2 ½ hours. New Trustees would be expected to attend board meetings and one sub-committee where their expertise would be most valuable.
We would like to hear from energetic professionals who are able to help the charity set, develop and deliver its strategy, transforming the lives of the individuals we work with. Cruse Scotland is a unique organisation – as we are Scotland's only open-to-all bereavement charity.
Our work offers bereaved people the vital support they so badly need when someone close dies. We have a proven record of providing personalised, quality support to bereaved adults and children across Scotland over the last 50 years. During 2023-24 we delivered over 5,000 counselling sessions across Scotland – all of which was this provided by a skilled volunteer workforce – supported by just 22 members of staff. Our telephone helpline is also delivered by another volunteer team who responded to 9324 calls across the year!
This is an exciting time for the charity, in 2022 we launched a new 5-year strategy with ambitious plans for growth and development and are looking to strengthen our Board of Directors in order that they can further guide our success. The role of the Board of Directors is crucial to the success of Cruse Scotland, providing good governance, guidance and leadership at the highest level of the charity. We are seeking people with relevant expertise, with the time and commitment to devote to this challenging role and who share our values as an organisation.
We are particularly interested in hearing from dynamic professionals who are looking for opportunities to broaden their own experience; improve their own career prospects and/or share their existing knowledge. We are particularly keen, but not exclusively, to hear from those with existing or previous careers in one of the following:
Cruse Scotland strives to create a fair and inclusive organisational culture. In our commitment towards Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, we particularly welcome applications from people with protected characteristics who are under-represented in our trustee membership.
Scottish Refugee Council is Scotland’s national refugee charity. We provide support and advice to individuals and families, promote community integration, stand up for refugee rights and campaign for a fairer and more humane asylum system.
We are seeking a Chair to lead our board of directors when the current Chair’s term ends in March 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and influence the development of the organisation as it enters its 40th year.
Currently in the second year of our five-year strategic plan, we are consolidating after a period of rapid growth. Our recently launched Refugee Support Service is an ambitious, Scotland-wide response to the changing context for Scotland’s refugees and wider dispersal of people in the asylum system. We are strengthening our presence across the country to support statutory and voluntary sector partners to address refugees’ needs and protect their rights, while widening access to direct support and advice through our helpline and digital solutions. Continuing to advocate for refugee rights and asylum reform, we are rising to the challenge of ensuring our long-term sustainability by restructuring to deliver the Refugee Support Service and diversifying our funding base.
Of equal importance is ensuring all our work fully involves, and is driven by, people with lived experience of refugee protection. With strong representation at board level and among our committed and creative staff and volunteers, we have a good foundation on which to build.
Your commitment
As Chair of Scottish Refugee Council, you will play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring the highest standards of charity governance and effective oversight of its operations and advocacy. Drawing on your substantial non-executive experience, ideally as Chair, you will ensure a cohesive and well-functioning board where diverse views are encouraged to improve consensus decision-making.
You will work closely with board colleagues through sub-committees and quarterly board meetings and provide support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive, Sabir Zazai, and his senior team. With a track record of identifying and mitigating risk, you will protect and promote the charity’s excellent reputation, and represent us at external events and with key stakeholders.
The role currently takes on average one day a week, with busier periods around quarterly meetings. It is an opportunity to make a real difference, helping refugees to navigate challenges and connect, contribute and thrive in their community.
To note, there is the potential for this role to be that of Co-Chair, along with an existing Scottish Refugee Council Board member and this can be discussed further should a Co-Chair option be of interest.
Welcoming, Connecting and Supporting Families and Visitors is at the core of what we do here at the Croft!
Providing practical and emotional support, information and advice to the families impacted by a loved one’s imprisonment at HMP Barlinnie to help make their visiting experience the best it can be under the circumstances
Do you want to help make a difference to the lives of families affected by another’s imprisonment – this is a group of people, including many children, often marginalised and severely impacted, practically, emotionally and financially by the actions of another. Want to learn new skills in the process? - you can by becoming a volunteer Board Member for the Croft HMP Barlinnie’s Visitors Centre.
What we are looking for
We are looking to recruit a number of Board members.
We welcome applicants from any background and experience, including people who have been personally impacted. We welcome all skills but do have particular skills gaps we would love to bring on board–
What you get from being a Board Member
Background
For more information about the Croft and its work see:
Visit our new website: thecroftfamilysupport.org
Visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/CroftVisitorsService
Click on this article to read about just some of the work we do: cjg-annualreport23.co.uk/2023/08/21/supporting-families-cost-of-living-crisis-a-year-of-reflection
Join the Turn2us Edinburgh Trust Committee and Make a Difference!
About us: Turn2us is a national charity tackling poverty and the structural causes of financial insecurity. We work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive. The Turn2us Edinburgh Trust focuses on improving financial insecurity in Edinburgh.
End Poverty 2030: In 2020, the Edinburgh Poverty Commission published "A Just Capital - Actions to End Poverty," the largest inquiry into poverty in any Scottish local authority. The City of Edinburgh Council has committed to ending poverty by 2030. We are dedicated to playing a key role in this mission, having committed to invest £5 million to increase our impact in Edinburgh. In the last financial year, we provided over £740,000 in grants to more than 600 people.
While grants offer crucial support, we believe systemic change is essential for long-term solutions. Our work focuses on developing effective local actions and investments designed with community input. We also provide tools for accessing benefits and grants through our online and helpline services. We challenge the systems that necessitate our programmes, aiming for long-term change.
Membership of the Committee: The Edinburgh Trust Committee ensures Edinburgh voices are represented and provides scrutiny and assurance to the Turn2us Board. Currently, the Trust is chaired by a Turn2us Trustee and includes two other Trustees, two members appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council (including the Lord Provost), and one independent member.
Opportunity: We are now looking to appoint two more independent members to join us during this exciting time of change. We would like these members to be Experts by Experience - individuals who have lived experience of financial insecurity.
Role of the Committee: The Committee oversees the Trust’s performance and strategic plan implementation; monitors and evaluates programme outcomes and recommends new initiatives; reviews the Trust’s strategy and policies regularly; increases the profile and reach of the Trust; provides local knowledge and experience.
Term: This is an 18-month pilot, with the possibility of reappointment for an additional term, for up to three years. The committee position is unpaid, but expenses are covered. Participation in Lived Experience in Governance Advisory Panel meetings is paid at Turn2us co-production rate of £84/day.
Time commitment: 3 x 3 hours committee meetings per year. 3 x Lived Experience in Governance Advisory Panel meetings. With preparation time, including for example pre-reading of materials and post-meeting follow up actions, this commitment should not exceed 6 days per year.
Skills and Attributes:
We encourage you to apply if you have two or more of the following:
We encourage you to apply even if you don't have previous governance experience. Support and training will be provided to help you succeed in this role.
About ENSA
Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) exists to enable our 20,000 student members across Edinburgh and around the globe to make the most of their university experience. We do this by representing, supporting and developing Edinburgh Napier University students to be successful in their studies; to try out new things; to engage in, and contribute to, university life; to be healthy and happy; to bring about positive change; and to have fun.
About the role
As our Chair has now come to the end of her term in office, we are looking to recruit a new Chair with the skills and experience to lead the Board of Directors, promoting good governance and providing effective and empowering line management to support our CEO. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has the strategic focus, governance understanding, leadership experience and time to support and develop a committed Board and ensure ENSA delivers the best experience for students.
Please see the Job Description and Person Spec for full details.
About ENSA’s Board of Directors
The Board is collectively in charge of ENSA, for upholding its values and aligning it to the Association’s charitable aims. It has overall responsibility for ENSA’s governance: budget-setting and financial reporting, health and safety, human resources and legal compliance.
The Board is made up of 12 Directors: six External Lay Directors (including the Chair) appointed through a competitive process for their professional expertise; three Student Lay Directors who are registered students of Edinburgh Napier University and appointed through a competitive process; and three Sabbatical Officers who are elected by the student body.
In line with charity law, all ENSA’s Directors (elected and appointed) have equal status. Directors have a variety of experience and skills which offer different perspectives, and are all, jointly and severally, liable for the governance of the charity. Directors are expected to take their responsibilities seriously, attend meetings, and manage any conflicts of interests appropriately.
About Us
Tiny Changes is Scotland’s first national young people’s mental health charity. We run projects with young leaders that help young minds feel better. The charity was set up in memory of artist and Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison. Through his music and art Scott made tiny changes that had a big impact on people from all walks of life.
We believe that Scotland’s young people deserve great mental health, and we believe in their insight and innovation to make this possible. We exist to nurture the talent of young people to find solutions that work for them.
Over the next two years we'll support young people to co-design and lead Tiny Changes projects, while learning as much as we can about our impact. Our two goals are to invest £1 million in young people’s mental health and to support 10,000 children and young people.
The Tiny Changes team is growing all the time. We currently have 6 Trustees and we’re now recruiting for new trustees to join our Board. The Tiny Changes Team is made up of 3 employees and 2 consultants, creative partners and volunteer Wavemakers. You can read more about our team over on our blog.
Our Mission and Strategic Pillars
Our Values
About The Role
At Tiny Changes, we’re preparing to strengthen our Board with new voluntary trustee appointments, one of the trustees will ideally become our Secretary. As part of the Board of trustees, you will be responsible for the overall control and governance of the organisation. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to join a dynamic organisation and make sure the charity maximises its impact.
Trustees are able to serve for a maximum of 3 terms (a term is 3 years). There are currently 4 Trustee Board meetings a year in different locations in Scotland, and conversations in between on emails. There are other options for Trustees to attend Tiny Changes events or projects throughout each year. You can find more information on the Job Description linked below.
About you
Tiny Changes aims to have an effective and efficient board with the appropriate balance of skills, knowledge, qualities and experience that will support the current and future needs of the organisation and wider society. The Tiny Changes board aims to have a mix of people with hard and soft skills as well as specific experience and knowledge to support the charity's vision and strategic objectives.
You don’t have to have any previous experience as a trustee or in governance, what we are looking for is clear motivation and willingness to learn about governance as well as an interest in mental health and young people in Scotland.
We’re looking for Trustees who:
We are interested in hearing from people with a range of experience and skills, please read the job description and person specification for more information.
We particularly welcome applications from the following groups who are currently underrepresented on our team:
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead our Board and Charity. We are looking for someone who is dynamic, with capacity to contribute, and willing to share their expertise and ideally to also engage their network to broaden and deepen support for Venture Trust. An affinity with our work, supporting people in their development to overcome life challenges, is essential.
In return, we offer a comprehensive induction programme including charity trustee training, CPD as a trustee and opportunity to be part of a forward thinking, committed and impactful team working to help people transform their lives.
This position is a voluntary role in a national third sector organisation that has important stature in Scotland.
You will be joining a small Fife-wide charity, with a big reach, to support and develop the effective governance of the organisation with the support of the CEO. Established in 1990 as the Elderly Forum Executive to provide a voice for Older People it has expanded to include Advocacy for adults 65+ in a hospital or care setting and Local Area Co-ordination for adults 16+ throughout Fife.
Our key aim is to listen, provide people with a voice; and, in the case of LAC, respond to need by helping people to identify and access the services and resources which will help them to remain independent and healthier for as long as is practicable, alongside encouraging people to utilise their own strengths and assets to help improve their circumstances and well-being wherever possible.
As a Board Member you will have a key role in strategic decision-making, ensuring good governance and will be required to carry out your duties in line with legal responsibilities.
If you feel you are up to this challenge, we want to hear from you.