This vacancy has now closed

Chair

  • Management Board
  • Unpaid
  • Hybrid: Glasgow and online meetings
  • Closing 6th September 2024


  • Advertised from 14th August 2024

Role

Dates-n-Mates is Scotland’s national friendship and dating charity run by and for adults with a learning disability, tackling social isolation and loneliness by connecting people in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Aberdeen, Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire. As a member led organisation, our work is underpinned by a human- rights based approach ensuring that our members voices are amplified.

Initially a project of C-Change Scotland, Dates-n-Mates was launched in Glasgow in 2008 and was fostered as a project until it became an independent charity in October 2022, and operationally independent in April 2023.

After completing our first year as an independent charity we are now seeking a new chair to lead our Board by bringing ideas and connections that will help steer Dates-n-Mates strategic plans. This is a voluntary role in a small third sector organisation, you will be joining a former award winning project, winning Pioneering Project in 2017 Scottish Charity Awards and a 2024 Scottish Charity Award Finalist, in the category Small Charity of the Year (Under 500k).

The Board is supported by the National Lead who is accountable for the efficient management of the charity and for the development and implementation of plans to deliver the strategy. The National Lead is assisted by a National Director who has lived experience of a learning disability and brings 16 years of expertise and experience of Dates-n-Mates to the Board.

The right chair will be an ambassador for Dates-n-Mates and effectively lead the Board, including chairing meetings of the Board of Trustees and ensure the governance of the charity is appropriate and that its core purpose and objectives are at the heart of decision-making and in the best interests of the charity.

Time Commitment

The anticipated time commitment varies between 10-15 days per year, made up of six Trustee meetings, regular meetings with the National Lead and representation at stakeholder and partner events.

Board Meetings

Board meetings are normally held bimonthly, start at 17.30 and last for up to 2 hours. An annual event is held in August and the Board may also hold a one-day strategy session.

Application notes

How to apply

Please submit the following by noon on Friday 6th September to Fiona.Kyle@datesnmates.org.uk

• A current CV.

• A supporting statement, no more than two pages long, of the skills and experience you would contribute to Dates-n-Mates and what you personally would like to gain from the role.

• The names and contact details of two referees.