Advertised from 23 June 2025

Role

About FOSS

Friends of Scottish Settlers (FOSS) is a Falkirk based befriending charity, registered in 2020, which helps newcomers to the Falkirk district to make use of the knowledge, networks and services they need to live full, self-determined lives.

We are now seeking to appoint up to three additional Trustees. This is an exciting opportunity for people, with or without experience as Trustees, who are interested in a challenge and would like to help us to drive forward the many initiatives in our important work, making Falkirk a welcoming haven for newcomers. We are intent on building real diversity of background, interests and experience in the makeup of our Board of Trustees. 

FOSS is a volunteer organisation, focussing on holistic support through providing material needs, befriending and other volunteer activities to a diverse community of newcomers of many nationalities and with wide ranging needs. The majority of our present work is in befriending refugees from Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong and in supporting people seeking asylum who are accommodated in Falkirk by the Home Office.

FOSS has grown rapidly and is a dynamic organisation. Those who depend on our support are often in very difficult circumstances. People who have been placed in Falkirk face additional challenges because our town does not have an established infrastructure of refugee charities. FOSS is the only local charity solely dedicated to refugee support.

The delivery of our services is provided by an excellent team of three part time staff and some thirty dedicated, registered volunteers

Our Trustees are volunteers and are expected to serve three years. They need to be committed people who, as Board Members, will be responsible for the governance of the charity, ensuring that we achieve our objectives by the proper use of the grants and donations on which we depend and who will help to drive forward our various initiatives.

Meetings are held (usually in person) every two months on a Monday evening in Falkirk. Where appropriate, Trustees can join online. Reasonable travel expenses are reimbursable.

More information is available on our website at fossfalkirk.org.uk This includes our founding documents; our Chair’s annual report and our accounts.

Application notes

If you would like to join our Board of Trustees or if you would simply like to have a chat about it, please contact Tom Ogilvie of our Appointments Committee on treasurer@fossfalkirk.org.uk or on 07917.162960

Applications should be submitted to Tom Ogilvie at treasurer@fossfalkirk.org.uk 

After consideration of applications, candidates will be invited to meet the Selection Committee for an introductory briefing in early August. Those selected will attend a meeting of the Board of Trustees in late August before standing for election at the AGM on Wednesday 29th October 2025.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 18th July 2025