Trustee

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Tilehouse Counselling continues to provide community support services to our potential clients.

You must be at least 16 years old to be a trustee. You are unable to act as a trustee if you are disqualified by the Charity Commission for example if you are bankrupt (undischarged) or have an IVA, have an unspent conviction for certain offences or are on the sex offenders register. More information on the role of trustees is available from the Charity Commission website.

Together we meet remotely as a Board at least once a month to oversee the strategic management and administration of the charity. This requires a commitment from you to prepare for and attend meetings at which you may be asked to provide guidance in your specific area of expertise.  This will require at least 2-3 hours of preparation and attendance time. Additional and/or face-to-face meetings may be arranged on an ad-hoc basis to discuss specific issues.

The trustees are currently working towards an organisational strategy and have started a review of the way we work. We are responsible for setting the direction of the charity and creating its long-term goals, enabling it to deliver the best possible services to our community.  We support and challenge the Clinical Director/CEO to enable Tilehouse Counselling to grow and thrive.

Board members each bring individual skills and expertise to the Board, however we have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees make decisions as a group and not as individuals.

Duties:

• Support and provide advice on Tilehouse Counselling’s purpose and activities.
• Work together to create and deliver the vision and long-term goals of the charity
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee Tilehouse Counselling’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve Tilehouse Counselling’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to Tilehouse Counselling’s Clinical Director/CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in Tilehouse Counselling’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of Tilehouse Counselling’s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Tilehouse Counselling’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of Tilehouse Counselling’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve engaging or leading working groups or focusing on key issues specific to your skill set, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and supporting fundraising activities. 

What we are looking for

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of representation and thinking on our board (you do not need previous governance experience).

We are looking for specific skills in one or more of the following areas

• HR
• Communications and marketing
• Fundraising
• Governance
• Legal
• Clinical
• Lived experience of mental health challenges

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for developing our strategy, creating our vision for the future
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Terms of appointment

The role of trustee is unremunerated. Reasonable out of pocket travel expenses incurred in carrying out your duties will be reimbursed.

Trustees serve an initial term of 4 years after which they are eligible for reappointment

No specific qualifications are required to be a trustee, but you should have relevant experience or expertise to enable you to make a positive contribution to the Board

Trustees are also expected to act as champions or ambassadors for the charity, attending and contributing to occasional public and private events, board away days and occasions which raise the profile of the charity.

Equal opportunities

Tilehouse Counselling is committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality and diversity. We therefore expect our trustees to be willing and able to make a positive contribution to promoting and implementing our equality and diversity strategy.

JOINING US 

You can read the full application pack which is published on our website, and will be emailed to you should you choose to join this opportunity. This contains details of how to apply for the role.

We look forward to hearing from you!