Chair for Ups and Downs Southwest
You could help us make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with Down Syndrome. Our whole team is passionate about truly making a difference.
Join us in our mission to support the Southwest Down Syndrome community.
Ups and Downs South West is looking for a Chair of Trustees to work with its established board to deliver its new strategy, take the organisation to the next level, and grow its impact across the South West.
As a charity, we work to support and empower children and young people with Down Syndrome, as well as parents, families, and professionals who deal with their health, education, and social needs.
One of the largest regional charities of its kind, we cover Somerset, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, North Somerset, and Wiltshire. Our services include family support, school training, Post-16 advice and guidance, social events, and youth groups.
Last year, we created an exciting new strategy and appointed a new board of talented professionals to work in operations, education, service delivery, and fundraising. We are now looking for a new chair to work with us in bringing the vision to life and achieving our mission to support every child and young person with Down Syndrome in the Southwest and ensure they enjoy a secure, informed environment that meets their emotional, social, and educational needs.
The Chair of Trustees is a key role within the organisation. Your leadership will ensure we maintain momentum and focus on our plans to evolve, iterate, and grow our services. In turn, this has a direct impact on our beneficiaries, bringing more of the services and support that they need.
Your experience might come from a host of varying backgrounds, including education, charity, social care, or commercial.
What’s important to us in the role of a Chair is that you have;
- An inclusive leadership style, able to inspire and support everyone to participate
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement
- The ability to listen and engage effectively
- Enthusiasm for our vision and mission
Prior experience of working on a board is required for this role.
Chair of Trustees Role Profile
Our trustees play a vital role in working as a group to ensure Ups and Downs Southwest achieves its mission;
‘to support every child and young person with Down Syndrome to ensure they enjoy a secure, informed environment that meets their emotional, social and educational needs’.
The trustee board oversees the overall management and administration of the charity, supporting and challenging the Director and, thus, achieving the charity’s mission and aims.
They also ensure that Ups and Downs Southwest has a clear strategy and that our work and goals align with our vision.
The chair’s role:
● Provide strategic leadership to the charity and its board, ensuring that Ups and Downs South West is clear about and achieves its mission.
● leading the trustee board in its role of setting the direction and strategy of the organisation
● to ensure that Ups and Downs Southwest complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
● planning the annual cycle of trustee and sub-committee meetings and setting the agenda for trustees’ meetings
● ensuring the trustee board has the appropriate skills and social representation to govern effectively
● ensure that critical risks are being identified, monitored and controlled
● review and approve financial statements
● act as a critical friend and supervisor to the director of the organisation
● keep abreast of changes in the charity’s operating environment.
● contribute to regular reviews of governance.
● Contribute to the broader promotion of the charity’s objectives, aims, and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge, and contacts.
What we are looking for
We are looking for a natural leader who will bring experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role of chair of trustees.
Personal skills and qualities
- Prior experience of being a trustee
- An inclusive leadership style, able to inspire and support everyone to participate
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise sound, independent judgement
- The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and can encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities and act in the organisation’s best interests.
- A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
Terms of appointment
The Chair of Trustees is appointed for a 3 year term of office, with a renewal for a further 3 year term to a maximum of 6 years.
This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Time Committment
Chair quarterly Board meetings. Currently meetings are held remotely.
We’ll also ask you to attend an annual planning meeting with the whole organisation in person at a location that meets the geographical needs of the group (in the South West).
Quarterly supervision meeting with The Director.
Flexibility to attend ad hoc meetings and respond swiftly when issues arise.
Committee membership/ad hoc time
From time to time your experience and expertise may be called upon to help with a specific topic or project. Ad hoc and occasional support would be requested through 1-2-1 conversations with any member of the organisation and/or attending working groups/subcommittees.
Your involvement in these would be through consultation; as such, you would be able to give feedback on what time commitment works for you.
How to Apply
If interested, please email joanna@upsanddowns.net with a brief introduction to yourself, including any relevant experience/why you’re interested in joining the board. We will follow up by phone.
You can also discover more about the charity by looking through the website Ups and Downs SouthWest
