sparqs is a charity funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), working with Scotland's university and college sectors. Our purpose is to ensure students are partners in shaping the quality of learning, making positive change to their own and others’ experience, however and wherever they learn. It aims to foster a culture of partnership between students and staff which enables the Scottish education sector to respond to challenges and realize its ambitions to provide the best possible experience for each and every student.

Volunteer Chair of Trustee Board

We are looking for a chair of Trustees who will lead our Board with integrity, insight and enthusiasm. This is an opportunity to guide a highly-regarded charity into its next exciting chapter.

As our new Chair you will have:

• Experience of being a strategic leader, including experience of working with a board either as a CEO/Director reporting to board, or as a board member/chair.
• Commitment and enthusiasm to the work of sparqs in terms of a student-led approach, role of student engagement in quality enhancement and value of partnership approaches.
• Ability to represent and promote the organisation publicly, acting as an ambassador and networker to further the attainment of organisational aims.
• Ability to influence, at a senior level, partner, and other stakeholder organisations particularly in the Scottish post-16 education sector.
• Commitment to the positive value of diversity, promoting equality and challenging discrimination and willingness to play an active role in creating an environment that promotes these values.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking to contribute to this important organisation, we very much look forward to hearing from you. Working in a diverse sector and with diverse students, we are keen to receive applications from people of all backgrounds and with all different kinds of life experiences.

About Us

The Melrose Music Festival (to become the Borders Music Festival in 2026) celebrates creativity, collaboration, and community. Each September, we bring world-class artists and local talent together in Melrose and across the Borders — inspiring audiences and young people through music of the highest quality.

We are a Scottish charity Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Our Vision statement (2024) sets out that we exist “to celebrate artistic excellence through exploration, collaboration, and community engagement, enriching lives across the Borders though music and the arts”.

Central therefore to what we offer are our three overall aims:

• To support projects that assist young people to come to music, especially those who might not have access to music and music tuition (for whatever reason);
• To promote the best of local talent: the Borders has a fantastic and diverse musical talent base of its own; and,
• To bring in musicians with a national and international reputation to perform world class music here in the Borders (preferably with some community engagement in doing so).

We are governed by a small Board which at present includes our Artistic Director Robert Marshall who oversees the artistic vision and delivery of the Festival. It is an emerging Festival with growing links and support - it was described as being in the top 10 music event destinations in Scotland for September 2025 in the Herald.

As we continue to grow and strengthen our charitable foundations, we are seeking a Chair of the Board to provide clear, compassionate leadership and help guide the Festival through its next stage of development.

The Role

The Chair leads the Board of Trustees, ensuring good governance, accountability and strategic direction for the Festival. Working closely with the Artistic Director/CEO and fellow Trustees, the Chair supports a culture that values artistic excellence, community participation, and sustainable growth.

You will:

• Provide strategic leadership, ensuring that the Festival’s activities reflect its charitable purposes and long-term vision.

• Support, guide, and challenge the Artistic Director and Festival team as a constructive partner.

• Lead the Board in setting and reviewing strategy, ensuring good financial stewardship and compliance with the requirements of OSCR.

• Champion good governance, inclusion and transparency in all aspects of our work.

• Act as an ambassador for the Festival — representing us to funders, partners, artists, and the wider community.

• Support Board recruitment and development, ensuring the organisation benefits from diverse perspectives and skills.

About You

We are looking for someone with strong leadership and governance experience who shares our

belief in the power of music and the arts to strengthen communities.

Essential qualities:

• Experience of leadership in the charity, cultural, or community sector.

• A good understanding of charity governance and the responsibilities of a Scottish charity trustee.

• Strategic thinker with integrity, good judgement, and the ability to foster collaboration.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to represent the Festival externally.

• Commitment to the Festival’s values of creativity, community, and excellence.

Desirable:

• Experience in the performing arts, festivals, education, or cultural development.

• Familiarity with fundraising, marketing, or public engagement.

• Connections/affinity with the Scottish Borders, and an understanding of the culture of a

sparsely populated rural area.

Time Commitment

• Approximately 6–8 meetings per year (mix of in-person and online), plus occasional events and strategic planning sessions.

• Regular liaison with the Artistic Director and fellow Trustees.

• The position is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

• Initial term: three years, renewable once by mutual agreement.

Why Join Us

This is a rewarding opportunity to shape a growing festival with real artistic ambition and community purpose. You will be joining a small, committed team of Trustees, working closely with an Artistic Director of vision and energy. Together, we are building a festival that celebrates creativity, inspires participation, and leaves a lasting impact across the Borders and beyond.

Your leadership will help ensure that this Festival continues to thrive — as a space where music

brings people together, strengthens our sense of place, and nurtures the next generation of musicians

and audiences.

Background

Ecas is seeking to recruit a new chair for its Finance and Personnel Committee (F&PC). This role is a unique opportunity to contribute your financial expertise to a charity that has been supporting adults with physical disabilities for over 100 years.

Ecas is an Edinburgh-based charity and works to improve the quality of life of physically disabled people across Edinburgh and Lothian: promoting equality, choice and participation through our activities, befriending service, and grants fund.

As the charity is largely self-financed from income from its own investment portfolio (worth circa £4.5m), it provides Ecas the freedom to deliver its services in a way that works best for our service users. Latest impact stats here.

Role

The purpose of the F&PC is to advise the Board on the investment of Ecas’ assets and oversee implementation of the Board’s strategic policies relating to finance, personnel and health & safety. The focus of the F&PC and Board is to continue the policy of maximising benefit to disabled people whilst keeping expenditure under control.

As Chair of the committee, you will play a key role in overseeing the charity’s finances, including the management accounts, annual audit, budget, and investments. You will be responsible for reviewing the draft F&PC meeting papers prepared by the Chief Executive. The Chair of the F&PC will also be a Director (trustee) appointed by the Board.

This is a voluntary role that requires attendance at three F&PC meetings and three Board meetings a year. Occasional ad hoc meetings may be required. In-person attendance preferred for F&PC meetings.

Person Specification

Ecas is looking for someone who:

• Has experience in finance, accounting, auditing procedures, and investments.
• Has good communication skills and an ability to think strategically.
• Is passionate about using their expertise to support people with physical disabilities across Edinburgh and Lothian.
• Is committed to Ecas’ mission statement.

We value diversity, promote equality and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Join Our Board – Trustee Opportunities at Soundplay Projects

Soundplay Projects creates playful, creative and accessible experiences for children and young people through sound, music and technology. As we grow, we’re inviting new trustees to join our Board and help shape a future rooted in creativity, care and inclusion.

We’re looking for people who believe in shared leadership, thoughtful governance and the power of play. You don’t need previous trustee experience for all roles, just curiosity, care and a commitment to our mission.

Trustee Roles

Board Chair

Supporting the collective leadership of the Board, helping trustees work well together and ensuring Soundplay remains well-governed, strategic and values-led.

Treasurer / Finance Lead

Providing oversight and guidance on Soundplay’s financial health, sustainability and long-term planning, helping the Board understand and steward resources confidently.

HR & Safeguarding Trustee

Supporting strong people practices and safeguarding, ensuring Soundplay is a safe, fair and nurturing environment for staff, volunteers and young people.

Fundraising & Partnerships Trustee

Helping develop sustainable income through relationships, fundraising strategy and philanthropic support.

Marketing & Communications Trustee

Strengthening Soundplay’s voice, visibility and reach through thoughtful, inclusive and engaging communications.

Digital & Technology Trustee

Providing insight and oversight around digital systems, safety, infrastructure and innovation.

Trustee – Lived Experience / Community Voice

Bringing lived experience to the Board to ensure Soundplay’s decision-making remains grounded, accessible and representative of the communities we serve.

What it means to be a Soundplay Trustee

As a trustee, you will help guide Soundplay’s direction, support strategic thinking and contribute to a culture of care, creativity and collaboration. You will work alongside other trustees and the staff team to ensure the organisation remains ethical, sustainable and responsive to the people it serves.

We are particularly keen to hear from people who bring diverse perspectives, lived experience and voices underrepresented in governance spaces.

Support & Access

We are committed to making this experience welcoming and accessible. Support includes:

• Full induction and governance training
• Buddy trustee support
• Hybrid and accessible meeting options
• Expenses covered