Volunteer Trustees/Director - Your Voice Advocacy | Your Voice Advocacy

Your Voice Advocacy offers independent, peer and self advocacy to people who have difficulty speaking up, as well as opportunities for social engagement and skills development, easy-read conversion and co-production support to organisations.

What difference will you make?

The organisation works mainly with adults with a learning difficulty/disability who face multiple disadvantage. They vary in ability with some keen to self-advocate while others are unable to speak for themselves and have nobody else to represent their views or explain their rights and choices. The needs of this group range across a number of areas and require knowledge of subjects such as social care, housing, welfare benefits and legislation as well an understanding of the multiplicity of health conditions that limit people's cognition and communication. The Board of Trustees/Directors also needs expertise in fund raising, marketing and HR management as well as experience of working in the Third Sector if the organisation is to effectively address the varied challenges presented by this field of charitable activity.

What are we looking for?

Ideally you should have experience of either 1) working in the public or third sector with adults with a learning difficulty, older people, and/or those with mental health problems. Alternatively, you are currently involved in voluntary work with any of these groups. 2) working in the private sector, running your own business or have played a role in the financial, management, HR or marketing aspects of a business. You should share the aims of the organisation and should be passionate about upholding the rights of those disadvantaged by their cognitive difficulties and who have no one else confident enough to speak on their behalf. As a Trustee you should be able to demonstrate good listening skills, be open-minded and tolerant and prepared to engage with a range of opinion.

What will you be doing?

In your role as Trustee/Director, you will be expected to contribute your skills knowledge and experience to the work of the organisation while working alongside other Board members and accepting diverse opinions. The organisation is 'member-led', i.e. around 60% of the Board is currently made up of adults with a learning disability or neuro-diverse. Like most small charities, raising funds is a perennial struggle, especially as we lack sustained funding from the public centre. This problem has been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. Our aim has always been to reach more adults with a learning disability in the locality and ultimately to extend our work to children. This means our ambition always exceeds our resources. You will play a vital role in supporting our paid staff and ensuring that the organisation meets its legal responsibilities. The Board usually meets quarterly, but extraordinary meetings can be called if necessary. Meetings generally take 1.5 hours. Trustees are expected to undergo induction and training (3 sessions per annum). There is an Annual General Meeting. Total commitment amounts to around 1.5 hours per month.