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Applications to stand for election to the Board of Trustees

Do you have passion, skills and expertise that could help The Compassionate Friends (TCF) to continue to develop?

The voluntary role of Trustee with our charity is rewarding and fulfilling. Our current Co- Chairs, Melian Mansfield and George Burn, together with our Board of Trustees, invite interested and qualified applicants to apply to serve on the Trustee Board by standing for election. We currently have 6 spaces for elected Trustees available on the Board. Trustees can each can serve a maximum of 3 elected terms of 3 years as a Trustee (either consecutively or with a break). Although the role of Trustee is voluntary, reasonable expenses are reimbursed. 

What do Trustees do?

Trustees play an active role in setting and maintaining the vision, mission and values of the organisation. They set the strategic direction for the charity and offer leadership, define goals, set targets and evaluate performance. Trustees are also responsible for the good governance and financial management of the charity. Our Board meets four times a year (sometimes in person, sometimes online), at the AGM and sometimes at an annual away day. Trustees are very much invited to contribute outside of meetings where needed.

Our charity offering peer support to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents continues to develop and improve. Despite the challenges of the economic and charity environment, we are continuing our mission of offering support, understanding and hope to bereaved parents and their families, support for our volunteers and staff team, and improving the range of supportive services and activities available to bereaved parents and their families across the UK. We are looking for Trustees that can help us to continue to develop our strategic direction, achieve our goals, continue with strong governance and financial management and help to position our organisation as the principal national charitable organisation offering peer support to bereaved parents and their families.

The Board would particularly encourage applications from individuals with knowledge, skills and experience in:

• Fundraising

• Digital media and communications

• Charity governance and management

We request that you are at least 4 years past your bereavement before applying to serve on the Trustee Board.

Trustees will be energetic ambassadors for TCF and are encouraged to take up and create opportunities to get involved in peer support, fundraising and wider work where appropriate.

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexuality, transgender status and working patterns. We are keen to have a Board that appropriately represents all the communities we serve as an organisation and so would warmly encourage you to apply to be elected as a trustee of TCF if you have experience in any of the above areas.  

How do I stand for election?

COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION FORM AND PERSONAL STATEMENT HERE ** and return it to us by 5 pm on Friday 6 September 2024. Voting will take place between 20 September and 1 November 2024. The results of the election will be announced at the TCF Annual General Meeting on 16 November 2024. 

If you would like to speak to a current Board member to find out more about the voluntary role of trustee, please contact Carolyn Brice, CEO at info@tcf.org.uk

** Download a copy of the Application Form and Personal Statement or contact the national office on 0345 120 3785 or by email to request a copy.