Volunteer Chair required to join the board of a vibrant and successful Stafford based charity | Headway South Staffordshire

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To improve life after a brain injury, we offer help and support to survivors of an Acquired Brain Injury. Our services are dedicated to providing the required support for people to regain their independence, choice and opportunity.What will you be doing?Headway South Staffordshire has gone through a period of change, making now the ideal time to consider joining our board to further enhance the services we offer.As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the charity management team. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.The role of the chair typically includes

• Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that Headway South Staffordshire achieves its mission.
• Work in partnership with the management team to achieve our mission.
• Lead the board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.
• Optimise the relationship between the board and Headway South Staffordshire’s staff and volunteers.
• Plan and chair the board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.
• Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Headway South Staffordshire.

We meet online once a month, with a face to face AGM taking place during November. There are plenty of opportunities to meet the members and other trustees by attending the various events organised by the staff, for example we recently held a summer BBQ where members, families and trustees were all invited.All potential trustees are encouraged to visit the centre to meet the staff, members and volunteers, as well as attending a board meeting to meet the other trustees.What are we looking for?We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. In particular, we are looking for the following skills for the role of Chair

• Experience of being a trustee. You do not need to have been a Chair before.
• A keen sense of strategic purpose.
• An inclusive leadership style able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.
• The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.
• Advocate - be able and willing to champion Headway South Staffordshire’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Be responsive. As a small charity, things sometimes ‘come up’ that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to. It is very helpful to have a Chair who is available and responsive.

In general, we are looking for all Trustees to have the following

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Willingness to lead according to our values [charity values]
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

What difference will you make?The Chair of Trustees is a key role in our organisation. Your leadership and commitment will ensure we continue to provide and extend our range of much-needed support and services to our beneficiaries.As a trustee you will be part of a team and will have the opportunity to add your unique skills and experience while learning from others too. The more effective the board of trustees, the greater difference Headway South Staffordshire will make. Our Trustees support and shape our work and strategic direction, as well as help us achieve our purpose to improve the lives of survivors of a brain injury.Becoming a trustee is a great way to get involved giving your time and energy freely to a local organisation and can be rewarding and enjoyable.You will have the opportunity to meet new people, build on your own experience and gain valuable skills in many areas, such as team working, strategy and management, as well as present you with new challenges, constructive and exciting ones as well as some more difficult things to overcome.You will be able to learn about brain injury and the devastating effects it can have on people’s lives and be part of an organisation that helps people through what is often a traumatic period of their lives and then supports them via a range of services and activities to come to terms with their injury, regain lost skills and return to an independent life. You may want to become involved because brain injury is a cause that you are passionate about, or it may be your life or someone close to you has been touched by brain injury or the work of Headway. You may be interested in helping to campaign for improvements to current service provision or raise awareness of brain injury and the consequences.Before you applyPlease provide a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experienceCauses

• Health and well being / research and care

Organisation typeCharityHeadway South Staffordshire is a charitable company limited by guarantee which is registered with Companies House and the Charity Commission and is affiliated to Headway – the brain injury...