Archive for category: Trustee Jobs

Vocal is a small but passionate organisation supporting people with learning disabilities and communication difficulties across South and West Devon. For over 30 years, we have helped people exercise their rights, make informed choices, speak up for themselves and live independent lives. While our specialism is working with people who have a learning disability, we also support a wider range of groups when funding allows, including people with autism, brain injuries, physical disabilities, mental health issues, older people and those with dementia. Our role is to stand beside people, amplify their voices, and ensure they’re heard—whether in care planning meetings, in court, or simply in everyday life.

Our work is built on strong values – empowering people, promoting independence, protecting rights, and being inclusive. Our members – people with lived experience – are central to everything we do, contributing to strategy, governance, and advocacy campaigns. Our Board of trustees work in partnership with our members, staff and volunteers, embedding co production at every level. Trustees focus on strategy and oversight, while day-to-day operations are delegated to the Chief Officer and advocacy team, who deliver services on the Board’s behalf.

We are seeking new trustees who share our values and commitment to providing advocacy support, who will enjoy working with our members, staff and volunteers and can help shape our future. We are particularly interested in trustees who could bring IT, finance and legal skills but whatever your background, if you are passionate about fairness, inclusion, and giving people a voice, we’d love to hear from you.

Application is by a full CV together with a covering letter telling us why you are interested in becoming a trustee for Vocal and what you would bring to the organisation.

Our website, https://www.vocaladvocacy.org.uk/ has more information about our work, it is currently being reviewed. Our Chief Officer or Chair are happy to offer informal discussions about becoming a trustee.

Please email any enquiries or applications to: cmundy@vocaladvocacy.org.uk

This small charity plays an essential role in their local community, a place where people can find warmth, friendship and help, whatever their age or socio/economic status.

The small staff team and brilliant volunteers are based at their HQ in Paignton where you will also find the café, charity shop and counselling rooms. The charity provides vital support through their counselling services, community workshops, and groups, or simply by accessing the café as a safe and welcoming space or the shop for low cost clothes, toys and household items.

Their reach extends far beyond the immediate vicinity, demonstrating the critical need for their services. While many come from Paignton, some travel from Torquay, and others come from elsewhere across the bay, highlighting CentrePeace as a regional beacon of support. People come to them by personal recommendation from family or friends, with the remainder being effectively signposted by local GP surgeries, social prescribers, mental health agencies, social services, and other community organisations.

I am now working with the charity to support their search for new Trustees.  If you a have been inspired by their passion and commitment to their community and would like to be part of their future, I would be delighted to talk to you further about this opportunity. Jackie@shinecharityrecruitment.co.uk For further information you can download the Information Pack below and visit their website https://centrepeace.org.uk/

Update – we have now found a great trustee for this charity, they would like us to continue our search – someone with a marketing background would be of much interest.

The Coalition of Disabled People South Devon, now known as Disability Support Torbay, supports people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, mental health and long-term health conditions, and carers.  The Charity’s registered office and service hub is next to the Town Hall car park in Torquay but supports people in any part of South Devon. 

We are a small but important charity whose services are delivered by one full-time and three part-time staff and a highly valued group of volunteers.  Our aim is to use our knowledge and experience to make a difference to the people we support, working together to encourage independence, empowerment and respect.

Our main service is supporting people with disabilities and/or long-term health/mental health conditions to complete benefit applications and gather their evidence. We also support appeals with an almost 100% success rate. Client feedback is very positive with 91% feeling less worried after our intervention and an average score of 4.24 from a possible 5 star rating. We also offer help with housing issues, help with other applications eg Blue Badge, a free counselling service and information on local and national provision for individuals.

Currently our core funding comes from the National Lotteries Reaching Communities Fund and we have funding until the end of June 2026. We are working hard to ensure future sustainability beyond this. We have a small Board of long serving, loyal Trustees. We now need to recruit additional enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise to drive the organisation towards sustainability from 1 July 2026.  Ideally, we are seeking people who live in the Torbay area and can offer experience and expertise in the areas of financial management, marketing and communications and strategic leadership. 

Do take a moment to download our information pack and contact Jackie Dawkins of Shine Charity Recruitment (jackie@shinecharityrecruitment.co.uk) who is supporting our search for new Trustees.