Trustees

Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers. We support, advocate for, champion and connect carers across the UK, so that no one has to care alone.

Our values

Carers are at the heart of everything we do. We are:

Attentive

• we welcome everyone and are always supportive and ready to help
• we listen carefully and respond with expertise and understanding.

Ambitious

• we’re courageous and innovative, aiming high and seeking out new ideas and opportunities that take us forward
• we are always learning and improving, pushing boundaries to increase our impact.

Achievers

• we are passionate about what we do and tenacious in our pursuit of change
• we adapt to new challenges and are always striving for excellence
• we love to collaborate and enjoy working with others to reach our goals.

Trustee role description

The duties of a Trustee are to:

• contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy and defining goals
• to set targets, and evaluate performance against agreed targets
• ensure that Carers UK complies with and pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, the Articles of Association
• safeguarding the good name and values of Carers UK
• ensure that Carers UK complies with charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• ensure the financial stability of the organisation
• ensure that Carers UK applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, ie the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
• protect and manage the property of the charity and ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• ensure the effective and efficient administration of Carers UK
• ensure the organisation acts within employment and health and safety laws
• appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their  performance.

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 including the annual election of the Officers (Chair, Vice-Chairs and Treasurer)

Additional duties may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise, and positively representing the organisation.

Person specification

Trustees, collectively and individually, have ultimate responsibilities for the charity. To be effective each Trustee must have:

• a commitment to the organisation
• a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort including attending meetings
• 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 as part of a team
• appreciation of Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Nations Trustee role description

We are specifically looking for two Nations Trustees, one each for Northern Ireland and Wales. In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the Nations Trustee will be expected to ensure that the Carers UK Board is informed on key issues affecting carers in the respective Nations. 

In order to discharge this responsibility, the Nations Trustee will be expected to: 

• attend the quarterly Nation Committee meetings and the Annual Conference
• establish working relationships with the Director of Devolved Nations, and with the Chair and other members of the Nations Committees
• represent Carers Wales and Carers Northern Ireland at some external events
• sit on recruitment panels as required.

Person specification 

• Sound knowledge of the relevant Nation’s issues, the devolved responsibilities held by the relevant Government, its diversity and geographical challenges
• A willingness to understand the work being delivered in the relevant Nation, context, key priorities and aims
• Be a Welsh/ Irish language speaker, or willing to learn (desirable)
• It is essential that the Trustee lives in the relevant Nation and is willing and able to travel to Cardiff/Belfast and London with some overnight stays required. 

Commitment 

10-12 days per annum.

How to apply

Please email recruitment@carersuk.org to request a copy of the full candidate pack. 

Please submit a CV outlining your experience, employment and volunteering history and any Trustee, non-executive or public service roles you currently have or have had in the past.

Please also submit a 500-word statement based on the Person Specification. You should clearly explain your ability and/or experience in relation to the criteria in the Person Specification.

Please also submit the Candidate Summary Form, Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and the Declaration of Eligibility with your application. These start overleaf. 

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be asked to provide us with the names and addresses of two people who can provide references.

Applicants are required to declare any unspent criminal convictions. The Charities Act disqualifies people convicted of offences involving dishonesty or deception (unless the conviction is legally regarded as spent), undischarged bankrupts and those disqualified from company directorship from acting as charity Trustees.

Closing date for applications: 15 September 2024 5pm

Interviews dates:  October, dates to be confirmed. 

Applications should be emailed to recruitment@carersuk.org

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.