Volunteering

Trustee

For Carers Support West Sussex

Register your Interest

We currently have 9 Trustees, including the Chair. We are looking to add a further two Trustees to our friendly and inclusive Board.

Trustee Duties:

• Ensure our charity is solvent and financially stable and help the charity generate more income.
• Provide collective strong governance, leadership and overall control of the charity.
• Set strategy and policy and contribute proactively to the work of the Board.
• Use skills and experience to direct how the charity is run, ensuring efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with the Board to make well-informed decisions about the charity.
• Act responsibly and only in the interests of the charity and take external advice where needed.
• Follow the law and rules in the charity’s governing document.
• Ensure that Carers Support West Sussex meets all contractual requirements.
• Define organisational objectives and targets in close cooperation with the Chief Executive, and monitor and evaluate performance and outcomes.
• Protect and manage the property of the charity and diligent investment of charity funds.
• Work with the Board to appoint the Chief Executive, agree on Director-level remuneration and targets, and monitor performance.
• Take a special interest in your area of expertise and advise the Board on related decision-making.
• Participate in Board subcommittee groups such as FRC, HRC or ODC.
• Stay informed about changing national and local policy impacting on carers.
• Share relevant and useful knowledge and information with the Board and Management.
• Represent the Board and organisation at external events and host CSWS visitors, partner organisations colleagues, CSWS Patron and other VIPs and guests as agreed with the Chief Executive.
• Help raise the profile of the charity to generate interest and funding, and safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

The above list of duties is indicative only and not exhaustive.

Skills

We are looking for individuals who share a strong empathy with our mission and bring a collaborative, respectful approach to working with others.

Excellent communication skills are essential, along with a willingness to contribute actively to the life and development of the Board.

In addition, we would welcome Trustees who can bring some or all of the following:

• A good standard of IT literacy – comfortable using email, video conferencing, and online documents.
• Experience of working in a remote or hybrid way, and the ability to engage effectively in virtual meetings.
• An understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing small charities.

Above all, we are seeking people who are passionate about making a difference for unpaid carers across West Sussex and are committed to good governance and inclusive decision-making.

Key skills we are seeking in 2025

• Media Management/PR and Comms - Individuals will have experience in digital marketing, social media strategy, and/or digital service delivery, with a solid understanding of how these tools can support non profit growth, engagement, and impact. You’ll help provide strategic guidance on our digital presence, support digital innovation, and ensure our online platforms align with our purpose and values.
• Charity Fundraising - Individuals will have a proven track record in charity fundraising, at a mid to senior level with a deep understanding of various fundraising streams such as grant funding raising, corporate fundraising or individual giving.
• Health and Social care operational delivery - Individuals will bring valuable insight from either a caregiving background or operational experience within the NHS. You will have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by carers or frontline Health and Social Care services, with the ability to offer strategic guidance on service delivery, partnership working, and policy impact. Your professional experience will help ensure our work remains relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of carers.

About Carers Support West Sussex

Carers Support West Sussex is an independent local charity supporting some of the 70,000 family and friend carers living in West Sussex. With more than 30,000 carers currently registered with us, we are dedicated to offering unpaid Carers information, guidance, and emotional support. Our aim is to deliver a well networked and supportive approach for each carer in the city/town or village in which they live.

We have more than 80 members of staff and over 35 volunteers, as well as a dedicated team of Trustees, we are committed to ensuring carers are recognised and listened to. Carers save the UK economy more than £1 billion pounds to the West Sussex economy and more than £150 billion across England and Wales.

Details

• No - DBS check required
• Yes - Equality and Diversity Policy
• Yes - Expenses reimbursed
• Yes - Health and Safety Policy
• Yes - Is it fully accessible
• Yes - Ongoing support
• Yes - Suitable for physical or sensory impairment
• No - Suitable for Under 18's
• Yes - Training provided
• Yes - Volunteer induction
• Yes - Volunteer Policy
• Yes - Volunteers covered by insurance
• Yes - Written role description

Availability

Trustee Participation and Time Commitment The Board meets 4 times per year. Two of the meetings are face to face with a workshop starting after lunch followed by the Board meeting and the other two being virtual Board meetings on MS Teams held late afternoon. The work of the Board is supported by three subcommittees you could get involved with, which meet 4 times a year online between main Board meetings at times agreed to suit their membership: Finance & Risk Committee (FRC) – covers finance, risk & systems. Human Resource Committee (HRC) – covers HR, training & development. Operational Delivery Committee (ODC) – covers all charity operations, projects & activities. Our priorities are set out in our Strategy and Business Plan: primarily to continue to grow our charity services; generate additional income; being the front door for carers across West Sussex; integrating with social care; health and community wellbeing services; focusing on building carer-friendly local communities; investing in IT & digital services and achieving excellence in our service delivery and practice.

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