Trustee Opportunities, Vocal Advocacy
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
Philanthropy Trustee – South West England
The Westcountry Rivers Trust is looking for a new Trustee. Formed in 1994, the Trust was established to restore Westcountry rivers. Measures to protect rivers can help to save money for farmers, lower costs for water companies, boost tourism, reduce the need to dredge estuaries and even benefit human health. Everything the Trust does is informed by the best available science. Their work is driven by an ‘ecosystems approach,’ considering the function of the entire catchment, not just the rivers that flow within them.
Today this thriving charity works with a wide range of stakeholders from landowners to local communities, businesses, farmers and water companies to restore and protect the rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal areas for the benefit of people, wildlife and the local economy. In addition, a growing number of individual volunteers and groups are becoming increasingly involved in the work of protecting rivers.
We have had considerable success with securing project funding, achieving rapid growth in delivery and impact as a result However, this only allows us to deliver what others want to fund and it is not always possible to get project funding to cover what we would like to achieve – maximising our education and engagement as well as supporting core functions and project development. In order to increase core voluntary income for these key activities we have recently recruited an experienced and professional Head of Fundraising and created a new sub-committee to oversee our Fundraising and Engagement strategy. We now need to recruit a new Trustee who will bring their philanthropy and fundraising expertise to the Board and provide oversight and support to this new area of work
Trustee Role with CentrePeace – Paignton
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/