Volunteer Trustee | First Step Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

Job content

First Step empowers men to move forward from the negative impact sexual abuse has had on their lives. We are seeking new trustees to strengthen our board as we grow our services and organisational infrastructure.

What will you be doing?

First Step have recently secured new funding from the Big Lottery and the Ministry of Justice and we are seeking new trustees to strengthen our board as we grow our services and organisational infrastructure. Trustees need to be passionate about seeing men move on from the negative impact sexual abuse has had on their lives and willing to contribute actively to to the board. At present we are keen to strengthen our expertise in the following areas though applications from those without these skills are also welcomed.

• Service user involvement and consultation
• PR, marketing, external communications including social media
• Experience of managing counselling and associated support services
• Mental health
• Community fundraising, individual fundraising and grant applications
  

Trustees are expected to attend 6 weekly Board meetings held in our office in central Leicester. Additional time may also be required to participate in adhoc groups and work which draws on specialist skills and knowledge.

What are we looking for?

Each trustee must have

• A commitment to the vision, mission and values of First Step.
• A willingness to meet the minimum time commitment including, on occasions, being available to staff for advice and support.
• Integrity including understanding of, and ability to maintain, confidentiality.
• An ability to see the ‘big picture’.
• Good, independent judgement.
• An ability to think creatively.
• Willingness to express opinion in a reasoned way and to actively participate in discussion.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of First Step.
• A willingness to learn and undertake training if required.
  

The board of trustees collectively need a wide range of skills and experience including

• Financial Management
• Strategic Planning and setting targets
• HR including volunteering
• Fundraising and income generation
• Charity law and charity governance
• Understanding of national and local policy environment
• IT and Digital
• PR, Marketing, Communications and campaigning
• Monitoring, evaluation and impact
• Partnership and collaboration
• Service user perspectives, involvement and consultation
• Key policy areas including Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities/diversity etc
• Specific areas relating to our work such as
• Experience of working with those who have experienced sexual abuse.
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
• Criminal Justice system.
• Counselling, and Advocacy services.
  

At this time we are keen to strengthen our specific expertise in the following areas

• Service user involvement and consultation.
• PR, marketing, external communications including social media.
• Experience of managing counselling and associated support services.
• Mental health.
• Community fundraising, individual fundraising and grant applications.
  

Applications from those without these specific skills are also welcomed.

What difference will you make?

First Step is experiencing a period of significant growth moving from a one funder one service model to multiple funders and multiple services. These new services, which include a young men’s service, emotional support, peer support and advocacy are required because of the increasingly complex needs that our clients are presenting. At present our board comprises four individuals and we are keen to widen our expertise, experience and add additional capacity. This will enable us oversee and support these developments from a governance perspective, ensuring we are delivering services in an effective and efficient manner.

What’s in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as trustee at First Step provides an opportunity to make a real difference to men who have struggled with the negative impact sexual abuse has had on their lives. Our evaluations show that our services make a real difference, typical comments from service users include

“First Step, without question, saved my life and marriage. I am now alive and free to exist in peace and with confidence”.

“……within months I was back at work full-time and feeling much more confident. I gained a better understanding of the obstacles I had been facing and how to overcome them”.

Before you apply

If you are interested please read the Information Pack and reply, via Reach, with a short outline of why you are interested in the role. Our Chair will arrange a telephone call with you, following this call if both parties wish to proceed a short interview with the Chair and one other trustee, and an invitation to observe a board meeting will be arranged. Assuming both parties wish to continue, the appointment will then be formalised. In the light of Covid-19 contact will be carried out remotely principally using Zoom.

Causes

• Community safety / victim support / domestic violence
• Counselling / advice
• Men
  

First Step is the only specialist provider of support to male survivors of sexual abuse in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We support survivors aged 13 and above; abuse maybe historic or...