Lifelites is hiring for a Trustee

Role: Trustee

Location: 60, Great Queen St, WC2B 5AZ (mostly remote commitment)

Term: 3 years initial term

We are looking to appoint a trustee to join our Board at a very exciting time of growth and change. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of the charity’s development.

First and foremost, you will have a commitment to improving the lives of children and families and enthusiasm for our work. You will have experience of developing strategies and plans and understand the role of trustees in the governance of charities.

We are particularly seeking applicants who have experience in

• children’s palliative care
• children’s social care
• special educational needs

It is important that you can commit time to read and consider papers and reports, attend meetings and contribute to discussion and decision making. Trustees meet face to face as a Board a minimum of four times a year, plus an annual away day. There may be other meetings and sessions to attend, usually online. You will be asked to join one of Lifelites’ committees and may be asked to work with staff on specific projects, which will give you further opportunities to contribute your skills and knowledge to the Charity.

This is a voluntary unpaid role, with reasonable expenses paid.

Purpose of the role

Together with fellow Board members, as a Trustee you will act in the Charity’s best interests, set the strategy and policies, make key decisions and oversee the management of the Charity.

Role description

Key duties

1. To ensure that Lifelites complies with its Constitution, Charity Law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
2. To ensure that Lifelites pursues its charitable objects as defined in the Constitution.
3. To scrutinise Board papers and contribute to debate and decision making.
4. To ensure Lifelites uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: the organisation must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are.
5. To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction to Lifelites, setting overall strategy and policies, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
6. To safeguard the reputation and values of Lifelites.
7. To ensure that Lifelites considers and mitigates key risks.
8. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of Lifelites.
9. To ensure the financial stability of Lifelites.
10. To protect and manage Lifelites’ assets and to ensure the proper investment of its funds.
11. To contribute their skills and expertise to Lifelites projects, and to support the Charity’s fundraising.
12. To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor their performance.

Other duties

In addition to the above responsibilities, each Trustee is expected to apply their skills, knowledge, experience and best judgement to enable the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions.

This may involve:

• Working on sub-committees.
• Supporting the development of new areas of work.
• Leading on and presenting on key issues.
• Using networks to create new opportunities for the organisation.

Person Specification

• A strong commitment to the work of Lifelites.

• Experience of operating at Board or senior level professionally.
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• Good, independent judgment.
• Strong strategic thinking.
• Willingness to articulate opinions whilst understanding the importance of collective responsibility.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to access and use IT including email, video conferencing and Microsoft Office.

About Lifelites

Lifelites is a charity that passionately believes all children should be able to enjoy a childhood that they and their families can cherish, filled with special moments of fun, happiness and meaningful connection.

By harnessing sensory and assistive technology, children and young people with life-limiting conditions are empowered to play, learn, connect with their families and access the support they need to thrive. Lifelites provides the latest equipment, training and ongoing support, free of charge, for the children’s palliative care sector throughout Britain and Ireland, reaching 13,500 children.

However, there are an estimated 99,000 children and young people in the UK living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, who could benefit from Lifelites’ services. As part of our ambitious 2023-28 Strategy, Lifelites is aiming to improve impact and increase reach so that every child with a life-limiting condition is empowered to experience unforgettable moments of connection and joy with their families.

Our values

Dynamic

We constantly evolve to respond to the changing needs of children, families and partners, adapting our approach and using our expertise to maximise our impact.

Inclusive

We look beyond the traditional, obvious and familiar to remove barriers that prevent children and families from connecting, playing and expressing themselves. We partner with and recruit people based on their merits and alignment to our goals.

Collaborative

We bring together and collaborate with diverse people and organisations that share a common passion for our vision, believing that combining resources improves outcomes for all.

Empowering

We believe everyone has an innate desire to play, create and communicate. Our services empower children, their families, our partners and our team to discover and reach their full potential.

Innovative

We constantly seek new ways to achieve our vision, serve children in need and their families, develop our team and build our relationships with our partners.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. These words are engrained in our services and our culture. As an organisation that seeks to empower children and young people with life-limiting conditions and complex disabilities, we are similarly committed to these values in the way we recruit and develop our people, build our teams, work in partnership and cultivate success. We actively welcome, nurture and celebrate the different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender of candidates, existing staff, stakeholders and volunteers.

Application Process

To be considered for this role, please email the following to Rob Lightfoot, Chief Executive – rlightfoot@lifelites.org

• Your CV
• A statement of no more than one side of A4 setting out why your motivation for the role and how you meet the criteria set out in the person specification

Should you require any further information to support your application or and access requirements to enable you to apply, please contact us.

The deadline for applications is Friday 31^st January 2025. We will review applications and contact short-listed candidates for interview.

Note:  This role description is developed as a general guideline for what is required in this role, and is not a definitive statement.  Volunteers give their time freely but have a right to expect support, guidance and supervision from Lifelites to fulfil their role successfully. This role description is not contractual and no employment status should be inferred.