Become a trustee
Big Leaf Foundation is a small charity working with displaced young people in Surrey. Our aim is to provide a nurturing programme of activities, projects and events that focus on combating social isolation and improving wellbeing for the young people we support.
We are seeking a new trustee to join our board. This is an exciting opportunity to
help lead Big Leaf Foundation in the next phase of its development and to use your skills and experience to make a lasting difference to the lives of the young refugees in Surrey.
We are seeking a new trustee to join our board. This is an exciting opportunity to
help lead Big Leaf Foundation in the next phase of its development and to use your skills and experience to make a lasting difference to the lives of the young refugees in Surrey.
About the role
The experience of arriving in a new country is, for many young people, overwhelming and incredibly difficult. They are often cut off from everything that is familiar to them, leaving them vulnerable to loneliness, isolation, anxiety and boredom. Our founders saw an opportunity to change their situation and help them feel a sense of inclusion within a network of their peers and the wider community.
We want to engage the young people we work with to be excited about the opportunities available to them, and to value their unique talents and abilities so that they can rediscover their potential and move forward with renewed optimism. We want to support and empower these young people to know that they are more than the status they have been given and help them find their place within their local community.
The most effective Boards are ones that benefit from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets and we are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of forced displacement or of seeking refuge in the UK.
We want to engage the young people we work with to be excited about the opportunities available to them, and to value their unique talents and abilities so that they can rediscover their potential and move forward with renewed optimism. We want to support and empower these young people to know that they are more than the status they have been given and help them find their place within their local community.
The most effective Boards are ones that benefit from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets and we are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of forced displacement or of seeking refuge in the UK.
- Remuneration: Voluntary (+ expenses)
- Location: Surrey (key project hubs in Guildford and Redhill)
- Hours: approx. 8 hours per month to include;
- Monthly Trustee Meetings (online)
- Attendance at minimum two Big Leaf projects a year
- Weekly communication with Trustees
- Commitment: Three years
- Reports to: Board of Trustees (Executive Committee)
For more information and to apply, please download the following documents or see below:
Person Specification
SKILLS
Essential
We are seeking individuals who have a strong empathy with our mission. We need individuals with experience, skills, and expertise in one or more of the following areas:
We particularly welcome applications from people with a demonstrable interest in the plight of displaced young people and an in-depth understanding of our work and ambitions.
We ask that Trustees attend a minimum of two Big Leaf Foundation projects per year as we strongly believe this contributes to a better understanding of our organisation, how we work and the young people we support.
Experience:
Knowledge, skills and understanding:
Please note: Successful applications will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check in line with the DBS requirements for Big Leaf’s staff and volunteers.
TO APPLY
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role to Vicki at [email protected]
Essential
We are seeking individuals who have a strong empathy with our mission. We need individuals with experience, skills, and expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- lived experience of displacement or of seeking refuge in the UK;
- experience supporting displaced young people or people seeking refuge in the UK
- campaigning, advocacy and/or legal, engaging supporting services (Police, Council services etc)
- fundraising.
We particularly welcome applications from people with a demonstrable interest in the plight of displaced young people and an in-depth understanding of our work and ambitions.
We ask that Trustees attend a minimum of two Big Leaf Foundation projects per year as we strongly believe this contributes to a better understanding of our organisation, how we work and the young people we support.
Experience:
- Experience in one of the key areas outlined above (lived experience of displacement, campaigning and advocacy or fundraising).
- Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.
- Excellent leadership and effective decision-making.
- History of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
- Track record of commitment to promoting equality and diversity.
Knowledge, skills and understanding:
- Commitment to the organisation and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board, and willingness to speak your mind.
- Willingness to be available to staff/volunteers for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis.
- Good, independent judgement and strategic vision.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- An ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Please note: Successful applications will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check in line with the DBS requirements for Big Leaf’s staff and volunteers.
TO APPLY
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role to Vicki at [email protected]