Bar in the Community operates a trustee finding service for charities that need to appoint legally qualified trustees. The service is free and available throughout England and Wales. We ask that barristers and legally qualified individuals interested in any of the following trusteeship and/or volunteering opportunities contact Bar in the Community to register their interest .
EmbraceAbility
Children Community Support Disability Deadline 16/06/2020
EmbraceAbility works in partnership with Khemara Cambodia to deliver their Community Outreach Programme on Koh Dach Island. They are proud to be part of the Khemara family, the longest serving local NGO in Cambodia. Seeking to bridge the gap in disability care services on Koh Dach Island, EmbraceAbility provides tailored occupational therapy aimed at empowering children with disabilities and their families. Their programmes and policies are committed to promoting community inclusion, dignity and independence, with a view to reducing the high levels of multidimensional poverty and deprivation among people with disabilities and their families.
They are now looking for a new Chair of Trustees, in particular someone who is committed to the charity's objects, aims and values, and is willing to devote the necessary time to carry out their responsibilities. The Chair should have strategic and forward looking vision, good independent judgement, the ability to think creatively, tact and diplomacy as well as good communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience of committee or trustee work is desirable, as is involvement in the wider voluntary sector. Leadership skills and an understanding of EmbraceAbility's work are also important. The Chair must be available four times per year for board meetings.
Meetings take place quarterly in Brighton.
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The Rural Urban Synthesis Society
Community Support Environment Homelessness and Housing Deadline 27/06/2020
The Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS) is a Community Land Trust working to build sustainable communities of genuinely affordable, high-quality homes in London. Last year, they built a community hub in Lewisham, and they are currently developing 33 new homes on the same site that are co-designed and partly self-built by future residents. They use the RUSS School of Community-Led Housing and a busy calendar of public events to spread their model and pass on the lessons from their projects. Over 1000 members get involved in volunteer activities ranging from housebuilding to organising workshops. They are now looking for new trustees to join their board and are particularly keen to hear from those with experience in governance, housing or property law or the charitable sector.
Meetings take place monthly at approximately 19:00 in Central/South London (online/virtual).
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Antrim Youth Information & Counselling Centre
Mental Health Youth Deadline 28/06/2020
Antrim Youth Information & Counselling Centre (AYICC) is a community organisation and registered charity that aims to enhance the quality of people's lives through a holistic approach to personal growth by providing community support services that empower people to maximise their involvement within society. AYICC is entering an exciting period of change as it develops a new transformative strategy which aims to build on the current youth projects, counselling and training programmes carried out by its five members of staff to meet the needs of individuals, families, and the community.
They are looking for new trustees who have strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, as well as being a good team player. Being committed to the work of AYICC is crucial, as being willing to act impartially and apolitically. Strong analytical skills, experience of change and project management, and an understanding of the responsibilities of company directors, trustees and of good governance would also all be greatly valued.
Meetings take place monthly at approximately 18:30 in Antrim.
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Bradbourne Group Riding for the Disabled Association
Animals Disability Health Mental Health Sport and Activity Deadline 30/06/2020
The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) aims to give disabled people riding or driving opportunities. Working across the spectrum of disabilities, ages, social status and environment, their focus is to help each individual to derive a direct therapeutic benefit and to achieve their personal goal. Bradbourne RDA is one of the largest RDA groups in the UK. Operating for over 50 years and run entirely by volunteers, they enable over 300 disabled riders and carriage drivers to participate in 4,000 rides and drives each year. As well as providing an introduction to riding for very disabled individuals, they also take part in dressage, endurance, and show jumping, and are regularly involved in local, regional, and national RDA events, local shows and fundraising activities.
They are now looking for a new trustee with a legal background, who will work alongside other trustees to ensure strict attention to governance is applied at all times. Trustees will attend meetings and be responsible for Charity Commission updates. Additionally, they will be responsible for RDA UK reporting, liaising with RDA UK for awards, coordinating insurance documentation and ensuring that the charity pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation.
Meetings take place quarterly at approximately 13:00 in Sevenoaks.
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English Association
Education Music, Drama and Arts Deadline 31/07/2020
The English Association is the learned society for English, and a registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter. The Association's aim is to further the knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the English language and its literatures for all. They are looking for new trustees and are particularly keen to hear from those who have experience of teaching English, to either native or non-native speakers, charity law and compliance, fundraising, and professional development among others.
Most important, however, is an enthusiasm for the Association's mission and a willingness to commit the time and effort required to actively participate in meetings. Trustees should be able to bring independent judgment, impartiality, fairness, diplomacy and tact, as well as being committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Teamwork will be crucial as a member of the board. The Association are particularly keen to receive applications from under-represented minorities.
Meetings take place at approximately 14:00 in London.
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Lambeth and Southwark Mind
Mental Health Deadline 12/06/2020
Lambeth and Southwark Mind is a small charity and membership organisation operating in Lambeth and Southwark under the umbrella of National Mind. Their aim is to provide free, innovative, long-term services that empower and support everyone experiencing a mental health problem. Their services include free long term psychotherapy, an information service and peer support among many others. Most recently, they started a group for young black men called Hood Mentality. They are funded by a mix of local NHS, local authority and private sources.
They are looking for a new trustee to join their board and are eager to hear from those with experience and skills relating to mental health, charity and/or employment law. They aim to ensure that the board is as diverse and representative of the local area as possible, therefore BME candidates with connections to Lambeth or Southwark would be preferred.
Meetings take place monthly at approximately 18:00 in London.
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One Housing - Care and Support Division
Disability Elderly Homelessness and Housing Mental Health Youth Deadline 04/08/2020
This is NOT a trustee position.
One Housing's Care and Support division helps vulnerable people in supported living homes. They assist with a myriad of issues, including sustaining tenancies, benefits, mental health issues and preventing evictions. Staff are not able to give legal advice, but do signpost customers to where they can get help with benefits or representation in appeals and tribunals.
They are looking to further develop how they support their customers and would like pro bono support from barristers and solicitors. This could come in the form of workshops to train staff in current housing, benefits or mental health legislation so they know which procedures need to be followed and can signpost more effectively. It could also be representing or advising clients directly, assisting them with appeals or tribunals.
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Vegetarian for Life
Elderly Human and Civil Rights Deadline 17/07/2020
Vegetarian for Life (VfL) is the leading authority on diet and healthy living advice for older vegans and vegetarians. Since there are currently only two fully vegetarian care homes in the UK, one of VfL's major goals is to improve the standard of vegan and vegetarian catering in existing homes. They are striving towards a vision where at least one in every six UK care homes are members of the VfL UK List (a geographical listing of organisations and care homes that make a special effort to cater for vegetarians and vegans) and where one in every 100 will be VfL accredited.
VfL is looking to become the first port of call for information, support and advice for older vegans, vegetarians, their families, friends and a broad range of care caterers. They want trustees who can help them do this. They are seeking a vegetarian or vegan who is qualified in legal matters, and has experience and skills in the area(s) of company law and/or operation of charitable organisations and meeting their legal and best practice requirements. Trustees should be committed to the aims of VfL and be able to articulate the contribution they believe they can make to furthering these aims. Trustees will understand that to pursue its aims effectively, VfL needs to operate in a manner that respects and meets its legal and ethical obligations.
Meetings take place quarterly at approximately 11:00 in Manchester.
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