Are you passionate about addressing the societal injustices faced by disabled people?
Do you want to contribute to the Board of a growing, ambitious charity making a tangible difference in the lives of adults with a learning disability and autistic adults?
If so, we'd love to hear from you. We're looking for new Trustees to enhance and diversify our Board.
About the role of a Trustee
Share’s trustee team has responsibility for overseeing strategy and performance. Share currently has eight trustees, and is looking to recruit up to three more with the enthusiasm, skills and commitment we need to help guide Share through the next phase of its development. Trustees are supported by Share’s Senior Leadership Team led by the Chief Executive.
The full Board meets six times a year. Meetings are in person and usually take place in the evening, with the exception of an annual away day. In addition, Trustees will usually sit on one of our Board Sub-Committees which meet four times a year with meetings taking place virtually.
About Share
Share is a charity based in Wandsworth and Lambeth, working with adults with a learning disability and autistic adults.
The story of Share began in 1972, when a group of disabled people came together as a self-help group to improve their employment and training opportunities. Over the years, Share has grown and evolved, responding to changing needs and opportunities.
The Charity is reaching the end of a three-year strategy and is now looking forward as we develop a new strategy for the coming years. Delivery of our strategy will help Share achieve its mission of providing a safe, empowering and progressive experience where disabled adults can develop their skills, wellbeing and purpose to enable them to live happier, healthier and more independent lives.
Share principally supports people from South West London, with the majority of students coming from Wandsworth and Lambeth. Share currently operates from four sites and supports more than 180 students each week across our range of programmes which focus on personal development, independent living skills, and employability.
Share’s vision is to live in a world where disabled adults are genuinely valued and included, can make choices and have the freedom to fulfil their ambitions. Share is inclusive, supportive and ambitious and works with kindness, integrity and respect.
Who we’re looking for
We strongly believe that diversity of thought and experience directly contributes to better organisational outcomes, and that the composition of the Charity’s leadership should be reflective of the diversity of Share’s student body.
Prospective Trustees must have a commitment to Share’s vision and values, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of disabled people. Share is keen to encourage applications from:
- Individuals with strong financial credentials, ideally a Chartered Accountant, who will sit on our Finance Sub-Committee
- An HR professional, who will sit on our HR and Safety Sub-Committee
We are particularly keen to encourage applications from groups currently under represented on the Board, including people who have lived experience of disability or of caring for someone with a disability, and those from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.
You don’t have to have been a trustee before – we are a welcoming, supportive team and will help you to succeed whether you’re a first-time Trustee or you have extensive experience.
Support for our Trustees
While Trustee roles are voluntary, there are a host of benefits for prospective applicants. These include gaining experience at Board level, training and other professional development, developing your professional network, and above all the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to an organisation which makes a significant, tangible difference in the lives of adults with a disability.
Share also offers support to ensure all Trustees are able to fully participate, including:
- Reimbursement of expenses. This includes travel costs but would also include other costs reasonably incurred, for example cost of a babysitter.
- Training opportunities. We will provide full training and induction for all Trustees, with additional support available for individuals who have not previously been a Trustee.
- Buddying and Mentoring. We make use of a buddy system to ensure new Trustees have a point of contact who will provide support and guidance to new Board members.
- Inclusive practice. Our papers and documentation are produced in an accessible style and circulated ahead of time. We would also seek to meet the specific needs of any individual Trustee, for example providing a BLS interpreter.
How to apply
If you'd like to express your interest in becoming a trustee for Share, please complete the following short form confirming your personal details, and briefly tell us what interests you about the role.
