We are Right There, a charity celebrating 200 years of service this year. We provide tailored support to individuals at home and in the community, helping those affected by homelessness, poverty, addiction, and family breakdowns.

Our vision is a world where everyone has the opportunity to create a safe and supportive place to call home. We strive to challenge stereotypes—regardless of a person’s situation, we are here to help, not judge. Our approach is about creating trusting relationships and nurturing people’s strengths,

Last year we supported almost 4,000 people, helping them avoid homelessness and stay connected with their loved ones. In partnership with Sonnet Advisory and Impact, we recently launched a report estimating that Right There generates a societal benefit of at least £308 million annually (net present value) based on a single cohort of referrals.

You would be joining Right There at a pivotal time, as Scotland faces a housing emergency declared by the Scottish Government. As a Board Trustee, you will play a crucial role in guiding our charity through these challenges and leveraging new opportunities. Your involvement will ensure our services remain effective and impactful.

Becoming a Trustee is a highly rewarding experience, offering the chance to influence strategic decisions, oversee governance, and support the delivery of life-changing services. We are looking for individuals passionate about our mission and values, with relevant knowledge and experience in:

• Strategic Commissioning (as a funder or provider)

• Children and family services design and delivery

• Scotland’s housing and homelessness landscape

• Policy, PR, or Communications

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

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.

Aberlour are the largest solely Scottish children’s charity; we help to transform the lives of disadvantaged children, young people and families across Scotland, and we are looking to recruit new Trustees who will join us in our efforts to ensure children have the opportunities and support they deserve.

Aberlour has a rich history of delivering vital services to vulnerable children, young people and their families. Since our inception as an orphanage in Speyside in 1875 and the formal establishment of Aberlour Child Care Trust in 1976, we have developed a significant reputation for delivering the following services: residential care and fostering, recovery, early years, disability, early intervention and youth work. We offer support at the earliest opportunity – giving children the best possible start in life is at the heart of everything we do.

Due to Trustees coming to the end of their term, we are seeking up to five new Trustees with a range of skills to join the Board during 2025 to help us to deliver our ambitious strategic priorities and goals to transform the lives of disadvantaged children across Scotland. Applicants should have the values, experience and passion to lead one of Scotland’s leading charities at a time when our support is needed more than ever.

We are looking for the following skills:

• Chartered accountant with strong financial skills, in particular charity accounting, that would allow you to chair or join our Finance Committee.
• Understanding of children’s services or social care. Also experience of scrutiny or quality improvement that would allow you to chair or join our Improvement, Audit & Risk Committee.
• Experience of social investment.
• Policy development, especially in relation to engaging with children and families who are overcoming trauma.
• Learning and development.
• Lived experiences that can bring empathy with children and young people.
• Understanding of the demands and complexities of board-level governance and experience of operating at a senior level in Corporate, Public or Third sector environments would be an advantage.

In welcoming applications from all parts of Scotland’s communities, we recognise that diversity in the voices around our table will better reflect the communities we serve. If you believe you could add real value to our board table but don’t meet some or all the criteria we have laid out, we would still love to hear from you, but please highlight for us the value you would bring in your application.

You will be required to attend 4 Board meetings, relevant committee meetings and a Board Development Day each year.

Charity trustees are expected to direct the affairs of the charity through efficient, effective and accountable governance, ensuring that the organisation is professionally run and acts in accordance with its stated aims and objectives. These are unpaid roles, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.