Become a Trustee

We are now recruiting for additional trustees. We’re looking for people who can make a significant hands-on impact in shaping our charity’s future, with a particular focus on marketing and communications expertise, fundraising experience and networking skills.

Sew Positive is currently a small charity, therefore all trustee roles require a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on involvement in order to shape the future direction of the charity. Each trustee appointment is for a term of three years.

Summary of trustee responsibilities

• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its purpose, as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy

• Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (ie its trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

• Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objectives (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objectives, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public

• Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets

• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation

• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place

• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation

• Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds

• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Person specification

• A commitment to the organisation

• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Strategic vision

• Good, independent judgement

• An ability to think creatively

• A willingness to speak their mind

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team

• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

All trustees must be able to commit to four Board meetings and one strategic planning day per year in Cambridge. The role generally also requires an average of one day per month for trustee responsibilities.

All trustee roles are voluntary but reasonable expenses, such as travel costs, will be reimbursed.

COMMUNICATIONS

Are you keen to use your marketing and communications skills to make a difference? We are looking for a new trustee to bring creativity, energy and expertise in communications. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the way we tell our story, connect with communities, and inspire more people to support our work.

Summary of responsibilities
As a trustee, you’ll play a vital role in guiding our overall strategy and ensuring we remain true to our mission. With your marketing and communications know-how, you will:

• Help us strengthen our voice and grow our profile
• Maintain, update and develop our WordPress website
• Support our use of digital channels, media and storytelling to reach our audiences
• Champion inclusive, accessible communication so that everyone feels part of our journey
• Act as an ambassador, sharing our work with your networks and beyond.

You’ll also contribute to the wider responsibilities of a trustee, ensuring good governance, sustainability and impact.

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re interested in applying for one of the roles, please send the following to trustees@sewpositive.org:

• an up-to-date CV, biography or LinkedIn profile
• a short supporting statement explaining how you believe your skills and experience would add value to Sew Positive
• Details of any business or other interests which might give rise to conflict of interest, and how you could address this should your application be successful.

If you have any queries about any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or would like to have an informal and confidential discussion then please contact trustees@sewpositive.org

We are fully committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality and diversity in the work we undertake and in the provision of all our services. We welcome applications from a wide range of individuals; passion for the organisation and our work is key, along with an understanding of and a commitment to the legal function of the trustee role. Experience of the charitable sector is desirable but not essential.

We look forward to hearing from you!