East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid is seeking to recruit suitably experienced, skilled and motivated women, who have an understanding of the feminist analysis of domestic abuse, to join our Board of Trustees. Interested parties do not need to have an in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse but it will be essential to prove that you are interested in our work, reliable and committed to our principles and values.

East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid has delivered essential domestic abuse services across the local authority area for over 40 years. We strive for a society free from domestic abuse by providing practical and emotional support, as well as refuge accommodation and information to women, children and young people. The charity also raises awareness of domestic abuse and its prevalence across society.

Trustees are responsible for the effective governance of our charity and give their time on a voluntary basis to provide leadership, financial oversight and support the ongoing development of the vital services that we provide. We are hoping to increase the diversity of our Board and are particularly seeking someone who has the skills to take over the role of Treasure within our Board. Full guidance, including a handover with our current Treasurer and time spent with our Finance Worker will be provided.

The Board meets in-person every two months. There may also be times that Trustees have to progress communications or pieces of work in-between meetings, either on an individual basis on behalf of the Board or as part of a short-life working group or a sub-group of the Board.

The Trustee role is voluntary however, we will provide induction training, support and reimburse any necessary expenses.

East Park is seeking suitable skilled and motivated people to join its Board of Trustees in an exciting and challenging period.

East Park provides excellent, child focused education and residential care to children and young people with complex additional support needs, including autism spectrum disorder, physical and sensory impairments, and challenging behaviours. With the young person at the centre and working with external partners, our work focuses on seeking innovative, personalised approaches which enable each individual to reach his or her maximum potential.

Established in 1874, East Park’s services have developed considerably over many years and is now a niche and specialist service provider in education and care and has ambitious plans to improve its campus facilities and the general environments around East Park.

To help support the organisation going forward East Park seeks skilled and motivated individuals to join the Board of Trustees. As a non-executive member of the Board you will play a central role in developing strategy, monitoring quality and governance and supporting the provision of education and care services.

East Park seeks individuals who possess strategic vision, good independent judgement, and have the ability to work as part of a diverse team. We are keen to hear from you if you have high level experience in:

• Charity law or similar
• Social Care or similar
• Financial
• Fundraising

Above all, East Park seeks people who share our values and wish to support vulnerable children and young people in fulfilling their potential, that understand the challenges of the sector and will fulfil a constructive and supportive role in furthering the values and objectives of East Park.

The Board meets around 6 times per year for 2-3 hours on a weekday. Although the role is non-remunerated reasonable expenses will be reimbursed with training provided.

Please note – Board appointments are dependent on satisfactory references and PVG Scheme membership.

Are you passionate about supporting young people – especially those who have experiences of care or need extra help to make the transition to adulthood, parenthood, employment and education?

Dean and Cauvin Young People’s Trust is one of Scotland’s oldest charities – working in Edinburgh since 1733. Today, we exist to be a place of hope for vulnerable and care experienced children, young people and families in Edinburgh and the Lothians and we do this via our interconnected services which include:

• 2 residential houses for young people aged 15-21 and young mums and babies

• Our Community and Transition team which delivers support to young people and families in the community

• Our Wellbeing Hub and outings, breaks and activities

• Room 4U our teenage fostering service.

We have been working hard in the last few years to redesign our services to best meet the recommendations of The Promise. We are now looking for new trustees to join us on the next stage of our development as we seek to deliver high-quality care and support with the voices of young people at the heart of all we do.

Join us

This is an incredible opportunity to make a difference with young people and build your skills alongside our other trustees. Our Board will always contain those with experience in key areas of work with young people including social work, education and fostering as well as finance and organisational governance. As a part of our origins, we also have representatives from:

• The Sheriff Principal of the Lothians and Borders

• The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

• The Royal High School of Edinburgh

• The Presbytery of Edinburgh of the Church of Scotland

• The Councillors of the City of Edinburgh Council

• The Faculty of Advocates

Skills and experience

It is important that we continue to build and diversify our board to ensure we have a range of voices and experiences represented to help us reflect and understand the needs of young people in Edinburgh today.

We are recruiting for Trustees in the following areas:

• Leadership roles in children and families and child-protection focused services (i.e. social work, residential care, family support)

• Charitable / third sector – delivery and governance

• Fundraising and income generation

• Those with lived experiences of care/care-experienced

• Those from ethnically diverse and ethnic minority groups

• Young people aged 18-26

No previous board experience is necessary as full support and training will be provided.

What we do need is someone who is committed to our values and has an understanding of the current issues affecting young people, of high-quality practice approaches as well as the opportunities and challenges of the third sector.

The most important attributes of trustees joining us include:

• A willingness to ask questions

• A shared belief in our values, aims and objectives

• Energy to be an active and engaged trustee

• Desire to be a champion for young people and our organisation

Your responsibilities

Being a trustee requires a time commitment to the role. Duties/tasks include:

• Attend 4 board meetings a year (quarterly)

• Take part in our annual Development session with staff and/or trustees

There are additional opportunities to attend and contribute to our Finance sub-group and/or Care & Support sub-group. These meet 4 times per year (1-2 weeks before a Board meeting).

If this sounds like an opportunity you can bring your time, skills and passion to – we would love to hear from you.

As a member of the board, you'd be shaping our strategic vision, providing good independent judgement and making sure that everything we do is underpinned by strong governance. We are seeking candidates who can contribute the organisation more widely, whether that be taking part in fundraisers or assisting the CEO and team when needed. You would also act as an advocate for NEECS.

The Board of Trustees will review the services provided and develop a new strategic direction for the service. Key skills to support this work will include team-working and collaboration, combined with strong and supportive leadership.

The Board of Trustees are ultimately responsible for the management and administration, but operational delivery of the NEECS’ vision is delegated to the CEO. The CEO is accountable to the board for the efficient management of the charity and for the implementation of board-agreed priorities and business plan.

Who we are looking for

It is important that our Board is made up of people with a range of experiences, skills, backgrounds as well as lived experience, to help us to shape, support and realise our mission and aims.

Please note: we particularly encourage applications from individuals who are historically under-represented on boards due to age, disability, ethnicity, faith or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, socio-economic background, or those with caring responsibilities. Candidates who may not think they fit the typical criteria required for Board membership, but who are inspired to contribute to our work, are warmly encouraged to apply.

Previous board experience is not necessary, but you’d be expected to take part in some training to prepare you for the role.

You also need to bring a passion for improving access to counselling across North East Edinburgh - especially for people affected by multiple factors of marginalisation. In addition, we'd love to hear from you if you bring experience in any of these areas:

• Charity management
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Law
• Income generation
• Health / Social Care