Trustee Vacancies

Break the Silence is a registered charity in Scotland and a company limited by guarantee. We make a profound and positive difference in the lives of those affected by childhood sexual trauma, their partners and family members. We support all genders, age 13+ across East and North Ayrshire. We are a centre of excellence, offering a professional counselling service, accredited by British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. We follow the BACP Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions.

About the role

We seek people to support the existing board and staff team in evolving the charity further. Having recently reviewed the skillset of the existing board, we especially welcome people with experience of Digital, IT systems and Finance.  

Board meetings are held online quarterly lasting 2.5hs/meeting and some additional time is required outside meeting times to read board papers, where invited, to attend in-person events or training, or where there is voluntary participation in additional board sub group activities. Trustees need not be local and remote trustees are welcome given the online meeting format.  

Trustee appointments are for a three year period, renewable thereafter in accordance with our Memorandum and Articles of Association.

We seek applicants who understand the community we serve and we value the diversity of opinion, thought and experience new board members can bring. Key responsibilities include; strategic oversight, financial governance, and safeguarding responsibilities.  For more information on the duties of a charity trustee, please visit: OSCR | Charity trustee duties  

About you   

This role may appeal to those wishing to volunteer as a trustee for the first time, or to an experienced trustee seeking a new challenge.  A full induction will be provided to include training in trauma and safeguarding. 

It is important that potential candidates share our values of being compassionate and collaborative, effective and knowledgeable in supporting those affected by childhood sexual trauma and support the charity’s vision to influence and inform within the sector. 

This post is unremunerated and PVG is required as this is considered a regulated role. In addition, we must comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023. Within section 69 of the 2005 Act amended by the 2023 Act, there is specific criteria which disqualifies an individual from acting as a charity trustee.  A full list of criteria is given here: OSCR | Annex 1: Criteria for disqualification. All candidates must meet eligibility requirements.

We are a registered disability confident employer and will be flexible throughout the recruitment process and welcome the opportunity to discuss alternative application methods/interview formats.