Board of Trustees vacancies - The Mix Stowmarket Ltd
The Mix Stowmarket youth charity is recruiting new trustees. We support young people aged 11 - 25 years old throughout Mid-Suffolk, offering a wide range of youth work and educational programmes.
We are seeking to grow the number of volunteer trustees and strengthen our governance structure as we embark on the next stage of our journey, having reached a 10-year anniversary milestone in 2023.
We’re keen to hear from experienced people looking for a new trustee position with a youth charity. We have vacancies for several trustees, and are also specifically looking to recruit:
• a Lead Trustee for Safeguarding
• a Treasurer (with strong financial/accounting experience)
Background
The Mix is a highly respected and successful charity that delivers high quality, inclusive youth-focussed activities. We operate from across mid-Suffolk and from out purpose-built centre for young people and the local community in the centre of Stowmarket. On the site is a short–term housing unit for care experienced young people, currently managed by The Benjamin Foundation. We also provide youth work activities and outreach from The Hut in Crowley Park at Needham Market.
Mission
• To inspire, empower and support young people, so that they develop resilience, thrive, and unlock their full potential.
• To promote a preventative and solution-focused mindset in all we do.
• To learn from, envision, equip, and partner like-minded individuals and organisations.
• To continue to grow the financial sustainability of our youth work through partnership and enterprise.
Trustee role overview
We are a charity and a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered with The Charity Commission and Companies House. This requires registration as trustee and as company director.
As trustees we are collectively responsible for:
• Providing the strategic direction for the charity’s operational activities.
• Ensuring that the charity’s culture and values underpin the delivery of all activities.
• Ensuring that the charity is effective in achieving its charitable purposes and is clear about the desired outputs, outcomes, and impacts.
• Safeguarding our beneficiaries - young people, as well as our staff and volunteers from harm (a legal responsibility).
• Scrutinising the management of the charity’s finances, accounts and other resources e.g. the building.
• Providing support and challenge to the CEO within the parameters defined by the charity scheme of delegation.
• Championing the work of The Mix in the local area and across Suffolk.
Treasurer
In addition to their general responsibilities as a trustee, the Treasurer will have specific responsibilities for:
• Ensuring financial statements are made according to accounting standards and charity law and regulation.
• Supporting the Chair and trustees with the understanding and interpretation of the financial statements and management accounts.
• Providing specialist up to date accounting and financial advice to the trustees and senior leadership team.
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans and overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
• Chairing the trustee audit and risk group which has delegated responsibility from the Board for financial planning oversight, audit and risk management.
• Supporting the CEO and Finance Director when needed.
Lead Trustee for Safeguarding
In addition to their general responsibilities as a trustee, the Lead Trustee for Safeguarding will have specific responsibilities for:
• Working with the CEO and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to ensure that the organisation has a robust culture that keeps young people safe, staff and volunteers safe.
• Ensuring that safeguarding arrangements reflect relevant legislation and statutory guidance, and the safeguarding team is appropriately trained and managed.
• Supporting trustees with the understanding of safeguarding across the organisation by presenting safeguarding reports, safeguarding incidents, and undertaking an annual safeguarding audit.
• Providing up to date advice about safeguarding to the Board
• Helping the DSL and senior leaders improve the charity’s policies, procedures, and practice.
• Chairing the safeguarding group of key operational and business support staff.
• Acting as a point of contact for staff or volunteers if someone wishes to complain about a lack of action in relation to safeguarding concerns.
Your commitment as a trustee
Because it is voluntary, we ask trustees to commit as much time as you can. As a minimum, trustees need to attend most board meetings.
• Meetings are five times a year, normally from 6.30pm - 8.30pm on Mondays or Wednesdays at The Mix. We do meet virtually if required.
• Trustees may be asked to get involved with extra projects or sub-groups, which could involve additional meetings.
• Trustees are also asked to support fundraising, promotional and other events to raise awareness of the charity.
• An Enhanced DBS check will also be required.
For more information about the role of a charity trustee, and their legal responsibilities, please read the Charity Commission for England and Wales guidance “The essential Trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do”.
To apply please complete the application form found on the jobs page on the website here. To arrange an initial informal conversation with the Chair of Trustees, Marisa Batson, email: chair@themixstowmarket.co.uk
