Glasgow-based mental health charity Common Wheel is seeking a Volunteer Trustee Treasurer to join its
Board
Organisation profile
Our vision is that people with mental illness in Glasgow can live a meaningful and satisfying life
and contribute to society.
Our mission is to improve mental wellbeing, increase skills and reduce isolation through the
provision of supported, meaningful activities for people with mental illness and dementia.
Our values are Care, Equality, Positivity and Partnership
We currently provide four principal activities as well as “drop-in” sessions at various Glasgow locations:
- Bicycle building, maintenance and repair at workshops in Maryhill and Bridgeton
- Participatory music, in
a variety of settings
- Carnival art – creating art in all forms.
- Indoor climbing
We support people living in the local community, on hospital wards and in care homes. Over 500 people a year benefit
from the work we do.
We will have an annual turnover of just under £300K and a permanent workforce of approximately seven staff, supported
by volunteers and freelancers who help deliver our programmes.
Who are we looking for?
This is a volunteer role joining the existing Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will be a full trustee and will
provide leadership and assurance on Common Wheel’s finances, while sharing collective responsibility for the
charity’s governance and strategic direction.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with financial management, accounting or audit experience. A
recognised accountancy qualification is welcome, but it is not essential where applicants can demonstrate strong
financial literacy, sound judgement and experience of explaining financial information clearly to non-financial
colleagues.
Experience of charity finance, governance, budgeting, risk management, reserves planning, payroll, funding or
regulatory reporting would be valuable. The Treasurer should be collaborative and willing to work constructively
with the Chair, Charity Manager, external Finance Manager, staff, trustees, independent examiner or auditor, and
external advisers.
We welcome expressions of interest from younger candidates, women, people from ethnic minority communities, and
disabled people, as we recognise our board would benefit from a greater diversity of backgrounds and
perspectives.
Knowledge or experience of the charity or community sector is desirable but not essential. Direct experience of the
issues our charity seeks to address is also welcome but not essential.
Role profile
As a trustee, the Treasurer shares the Board’s collective responsibilities and leads its scrutiny of financial
matters. Key responsibilities include:
- ensuring that Common Wheel pursues its charitable purposes and complies with its governing document, charity law
and other relevant legislation
- working with the Charity Manager, Finance Manager and relevant staff to
prepare annual budgets, cash-flow forecasts and longer-term financial plans for Board
approval
- presenting clear and timely financial reports to each Board meeting, highlighting performance
against budget, cash position, forecasts, risks and decisions required
- helping trustees understand the
charity’s financial position and the implications of strategic, operational and funding
decisions
- overseeing the adequacy of financial controls, delegated authorities, banking arrangements,
record keeping, fraud prevention and management of financial risk
- being an authorised user for banking
purposes, able to deputise for the Finance Manager and other authorisers as required
- monitoring the
charity’s reserves, restricted funds, income sustainability and use of resources, and advising the Board where
corrective action is needed
- coordinating preparation and Board review of the annual accounts and
trustees’ annual report, and liaising with the independent examiner or auditor
- supporting timely and
accurate regulatory submissions, including annual returns and accounts, and helping ensure compliance with OSCR
requirements, relevant accounting standards, tax and other applicable financial obligations
- contributing
to strategic decision-making and working in partnership with the Project Manager and fellow trustees to achieve
Common Wheel’s aims
The responsibilities of charity trustees in Scotland are set out in detail at
oscr.org.uk/media/2728/v10_guidance-and-good-practice-for-charity-trustees.pdf
Time commitment
Board meetings typically take place on a Tuesday at 6pm each month and last for approximately 2 hours.
In addition, Trustees have historically taken part in an annual strategy development meeting, either at the weekend
or extended evening session.
Trustees are also invited to join one of the sub-committees (currently focused on our bike project) or occasional
working groups to suit their skills. These groups meet as and when necessary, at times to suit the members.
The Treasurer should also allow time between Board meetings to review management accounts, budgets, forecasts and
year-end information; discuss material issues with the Chair and Project Manager; and liaise with the
independent examiner or auditor. Additional time is likely around budget setting and preparation of the annual
accounts.
Common Wheel is a small organisation supported by volunteers, so the Treasurer should be comfortable combining
strategic oversight with occasional practical support, while respecting the distinction between governance and
day-to-day management.
Expenses
All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.