About us
The story of Share began in 1972, when a group of disabled people came together as a self-help group to improve employment and training opportunities for disabled people. Over the years, Share has grown and evolved, responding to changing needs and opportunities.
Our charity will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, and since our foundation Share has developed to respond to the changing needs of adults with physical and learning disabilities as well as those with mental health challenges.
Our services and support now include services based at Altenburg Gardens near Clapham Junction, the Share Garden in Tooting and We are 336 in Brixton, we also have developed outreach programmes into the community.
Having recently appointed a new Chief Executive, we are in the process of developing our new strategy that will continue to build on our learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure that we continue to grow and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of those who require our services. With our support, we aim to enable our students to maintain independent and active lives in their communities as well as helping the wider community to have a better understanding and acceptance of people living with disability.
We principally support people from SW London, with the majority of our students coming from Wandsworth and Lambeth. In this financial year, we will spend c. £1.7m to provide support to around 140 individuals and their parents and carers.
Our mission is to deliver learning, living and wellbeing programmes to people with learning disabilities and autism so that they may realise their potential, have greater choice and independence, and live happier, healthier lives. We're working for a world where disabled people are fully included and have access to all the amenities and opportunities in their communities. We work with respect, compassion and kindness. We believe everyone has something to offer others, and we build on people's individual talents, interests and abilities.
Our trustee team has responsibility for overseeing our strategy and performance. We are looking to recruit new members to join our Board of Trustees, and we are looking for individuals with or without board level experience, who will bring the enthusiasm, experience and commitment we need to help guide Share through the next phase of its development.
The last few years have been a challenging and difficult time for us all and Share has played a key role in supporting our students and their parents and carers through the pandemic. We anticipate that our students will continue to experience significant challenges in society, and that this will be exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. Our trustees will have an important role to play as Share continues to provide its services in these uncertain times, whilst also looking to the opportunities and challenges that the future will surely bring.
About you
We are looking for people with or without Board level experience, and we would welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.
In order to enhance the diversity of our board, we would particularly like to hear from people from the global majority, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, parents and carers of people who use Share’s services and other marginalised groups.
On this occasion and following a recent skills audit of our current trustees, we are particularly looking for people with expertise in any of the following areas:
- Human Resources and/or Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Finance – those with an accountancy background
- Legal – especially in charity or employment law
- Learning Disabilities Services – people who have experience of providing services or have personal experience
- Mental Health Services – people who have experience of providing services or who have personal experience
- Fundraising – especially in the field of professional community fundraising
- Digital – experience of working in technology and innovation
What's it like being a trustee at Share?
Timetable
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Week commencing 19th September 2022 |
Advertised. |
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Thursday 20th October 2022 (6pm -7pm) |
Information Event with CEO, members of the Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees. Candidates can have a follow up conversation with the Chair and/or the CEO if required. |
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Monday 31st October 2022 |
Closing date for applications. |
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Weeks commencing 7th November and 14th November 2022 |
Interviews held. |
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Monday 21st November 2022 |
Successful applicants notified. |
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Early December (date TBC) (meeting of the Board of Trustees) |
Appointments approved by the Board of Trustees - successful candidates will be invited to attend the meeting. |
For further information or to register for the information events please contact Michele Noakes on michelen@sharecomunity.org.uk.