Hamilton Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was formed over 50 years ago to provide a holistic advice service to the residents of Hamilton. As a member of the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux network, Hamilton CAB aims to provide free, independent, impartial, and confidential advice and information to ensure that people understand their rights and responsibilities and can express their needs effectively. We campaign and influence to tackle the root cause of the problems people face and work to strengthen their rights.

Hamilton CAB currently operates from two offices in Hamilton and are supported by 18 members of staff and 31 volunteers including board members. The Bureau supports individuals with a wide range of general enquiries whilst project staff provide specialist support on topics including benefits, debt, utilities, and money matters.

The role:

We are seeking a committed and dynamic individual to serve as the Chair of our organisation.

As Chair, you will play a vital role by providing strategic leadership to the board, ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation. You will also provide line management, support and direction to the Chief Officer, helping them to achieve the organisation’s aims and objectives; and ensures the smooth running of Hamilton CAB.

We are looking for an individual who has experience of leadership and governance. You will have a passion for the voluntary sector, strong leadership skills and an ability to drive forward positive change.

Although, not financially remunerated, the role is high profile and respected within the community and will offer a great challenge, learning and networking opportunity for the right person.

There are an average of 6 Board meetings per year to commit to as well as preparation time and regular collaboration /communications with the team and stakeholders.

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

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 recruiting three new trustees.

We support young people in reaching their full potential by building their confidence and self-belief through participation in outdoor adventure activities. We deliver residential courses, primarily in the West of Scotland, for groups of young people from across the UK. We also deliver day and multiday adventures for groups of young people primarily from our community. See Hebrideanpursuits.org for more.

Our Trustees

The board of trustees needs to be able to shape strategy and effect organisational change alongside a very heavy delivery workload. Holding the charity to account, they ensure value for donors’ money. They are responsible for ensuring that risks to the charity and young people are managed and mitigated.

In this small organisation, the Trustees are involved in the management of the charity and the challenges that brings. Trustees meet at least four times a year, either in Argyll or Edinburgh, face to face or with video conferencing.

Experience of charity governance, fundraising and outdoor pursuits would be useful. Sharing our determination to support disadvantaged young people using outdoor learning is essential. We also would welcome applicants with strong skills and experience in any one of finance, GDPR, child protection and safeguarding, youth work (inequalities and inclusion) and health and safety regulation.