Inverclyde Women’s Aid’s vision is where women, children and young people are free from the threat of abuse, violence or oppression.

Inverclyde Women’s Aid is a charitable organisation dedicated to working towards ending domestic and sexual abuse. We offer a confidential service across Inverclyde to support women, children and young people who are or have experienced domestic and /or sexual abuse.

Role:

Are you passionate about helping women, children and young people in Inverclyde? Inverclyde Women’s Aid [IWA] are looking for Trustees to join its Board.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of our feminist governance team supporting and overseeing the development of the organisation to ensure the continued delivery of high quality, responsive services to vulnerable women, children and young people in our area. You do not need to know everything there is to know about domestic and or sexual abuse, but you will need to prove that you are interested in our work, be reliable, action focussed and committed to our principles and values.

We are keen to here from women, and in particular those who may have experience or skills in the areas of Fundraising, HR, IT, legal, women services or care and charity governance.

As a few of our Trustees, including our Chair, are reaching the end of their extended terms, Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly (CACE) is seeking passionate individuals to join our dedicated team of Trustees. We are also looking to fill the position of Chair to help lead our mission of promoting and supporting the needs of older adults in Cumbernauld and the surrounding Northern Corridor.

As a charity dedicated to improving the well-being and quality of life for the elderly in our community, we play a crucial role in combating isolation and loneliness. Our mission is to ensure that those we serve feel connected to their community, empowered to live fulfilling lives, and encouraged to embrace new learning opportunities. To learn more about us, visit our website (cace.info) or find us on Facebook (facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083135928840).

As a Trustee, including the role of Chair, you’ll have the opportunity to leverage your skills and expertise to support the well-being and independence of older adults. You'll collaborate closely with fellow Trustees, staff, volunteers, and the wider community, building strong relationships while gaining valuable experience in governance, financial management, and strategic planning. By engaging with stakeholders and partners, you’ll broaden your network, help promote our services within the community, and develop transferable skills—such as leadership, decision-making, and project management—that can enhance your career prospects.

Key Responsibilities of a Trustee, including the Chair:

• Collaborate with fellow Trustees to provide strategic leadership and governance for CACE.
• Lead and facilitate the Board (for the Chair) to ensure it fulfils its governance responsibilities.
• Ensure our charity operates in alignment with its mission, values, and legal obligations.
• Review and approve budgets, financial reports, and funding applications to maximize our impact.
• Support the management team in delivering high-quality care and services to older adults.
• Participate in fundraising and community engagement activities to advance and promote our cause.
• We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and skill sets. Induction and training opportunities will be provided for Trustees.

ABOUT EAST LOTHIAN COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) were first established in England in the 1990s as a formal mechanism to reinvigorate local and rural railways. CRP status provides a framework for community involvement in strategic planning, development and operation of a specific railway line.

Since 2014, the East Lothian Community Rail Partnership has been pulling together a wide range of local organisations with an interest in communities and sustainable transport, to fix the link between railway stations, town centres and the surrounding areas, and realise an integrated transport network accessible to all. We work with four train operators (ScotRail, LNER, TransPennine Express, and Cross Country), Transport Scotland, East Lothian Council, the Regional Transport Partnership (SEStran), local businesses and community groups towards the following aims:

• Supporting the local economy by promoting rail use and rail facilities
• Actively promoting the use of rail and other public and low carbon-emitting transport
• Supporting safety, security and access initiatives relating to railway use
• Working with ‘station adopters’ (individuals and groups) to provide a more pleasant environment within the station areas.

ABOUT THE VACANCY

Harry Barker has been chairing East Lothian CRP since its inception in 2014 and is now preparing to pass on the reins of a well-established and respected organisation. In addition the time is right to expand the Board and also appoint a vice chair. Examples of projects completed to date include:

• restored the murals at Prestonpans Station (best community project 2023)
• improved signage to stations
• provided information boards for display in stations promoting local attractions and historical information
• supported many local events in the North Berwick and Dunbar areas
• producing a line guide and leaflets to encourage tourism
• working with bus operators to improve integration between bus and rail

Projects have always been dependent on external funding which to date has not proved problematical, and, as such, the incoming Chair will have the flexibility to pursue their own agenda. The CRP is financially sound and new ways of operating are being explored by The Community Rail Network and the new Chair will be well placed to provide input to these.

East Lothian CRP has no paid staff, and projects are led by volunteers under direction from the Board, and therefore the amount of work involved can vary but can be expected to be around 10 hours per month for the Chair.

DUTIES OF THE CHAIR

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that the CRP is run in accordance with the constitution
• Guiding and encouraging projects that will be undertaken from time to time
• Ensuring that the Action Plan is kept up to date
• Chairing four meetings per year, including the AGM (normally held in November)
• Producing an annual report for the AGM
• Ensuring that the activities of the CRP are within the guidelines produced by the Train Operating Companies in all respects particularly including safely

BENEFITS

You will receive a ‘staff’ rail pass from ScotRail permitting free rail travel throughout Scotland when travelling on ScotRail trains.

Reasonable expenses will be paid if required to travel on other rail services and/or stay overnight.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will be expected to support public transport in general, with a keen interest in integration between modes such as buses, active travel and rail.

A willingness of Board members to attend committees and conferences is essential (expenses will be covered) and these will give valuable access to professional railway staff and management on the front line, where your views can be heard. These include:

• the local ‘Rail Forum’ involving MSPs, Councillors and Train Operating Companies - twice a year, usually virtually
• in-person or virtual annual conferences of the four local Train Operating Companies (ScotRail, Cross Country Trains, TransPennine Express, and LNER) which may be held anywhere in the UK
• An annual event in Scotland sponsored by Modern Railways magazine which is attended by many high profile railway managers and senior representation from Transport Scotland
• Virtual attendance (via Zoom) at the national Community Rail Network meetings
• In-person Community Rail Networks Awards ceremony, if the CRP is short listed for an Award – this year’s was in Swansea over three days
• Six Community Area Partnership ‘On the Move’ groups consider local transport in East Lothian – CRP representation on one or more of these groups is important for a full appreciation of issues surrounding each station. Each On the Move Group meets every two months

A knowledge of railways and their workings is desirable but not essential.

Living in East Lothian and using the county’s rail services from time to time would be advantageous.

You will be expected to liaise with the station adoption groups from time to time. They have a separate relationship with ScotRail.

You will be expected to be pro-active in instructing the website to be kept up to date via the CRP’s appointed webmaster, and in responding to public enquiries which come via the website. You will not be required to answer complaints from the travelling public but direct these to ScotRail for attention.

From time to time it may be necessary to communicate with the local Press (East Lothian Courier and occasionally Edinburgh Evening News).

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–

• Case Management Systems – to have oversight of and help us develop an appropriate system.
• Treasurer - Accounting/Finance experience to help us with oversight of our funding and statutory reporting.
• Human Resources.
• Business development/growth – particularly Social Enterprises / Community Interest Companies.

What you get from being a Board Member

1. The chance to give something back into the community and make a real difference to the lives of families impacted by imprisonment - Becoming a Trustee is a fantastic way to give something back to a cause you care about. You’ll be playing an integral part in the way the charity is run, ensuring it remains sustainable and financially viable. The help you provide will be invaluable.
2. Meet new people - joining a new organisation or charity is a fantastic way to meet new people from a range of different personal and professional backgrounds. There will be meetings to attend, projects to get involved.
3. Learn new things - getting involved as a charity Trustee is a great way to put your professional skills to use, but can also be a fantastic opportunity to learn new things. You’ll get great insight into what’s involved in the management of charities and gain skills on working well within a leadership role.
4. Improve your CV and enhance your professional development - from learning how organisations are run to planning finances and attending meetings, this experience can be the perfect way to boost a CV and set you apart from the crowd.

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