Trustee with HR experience - Volunteer

We are seeking a new trustee with experience in HR to help lead the charity's ongoing HR, development and training requirements. You will provide strategic oversight on staffing, compliance, typically requiring senior experience to lead on matters like policy development & resourcing.

The role of a Muscle Help Foundation Trustee is to provide strategic leadership in line with the organisation’s objectives. Trustees will use their knowledge, skills, passion and experience to ensure that the charity achieves its objectives – as a Trustee, you will represent the interests of all stakeholders and act as an ambassador. This is a hugely important role that will help ensure that the charity can continue its support for its vulnerable community, namely children, young people and adults (8-35yrs) with muscular dystrophy in the UK.

As a Trustee, this is a privileged opportunity to bring your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity that exists to bring together children, young people, adults and their families, creating communities through empowering, transformational experiences and moments-in-time. We are looking to grow and strengthen our Trustee Board by appointing a further 3-4 trustees in the 2026/27 period.

What are we looking for?

• An excellent communicator with listening, responding and interpersonal skills, able to both empower and challenge supportively.
• A strong commitment to equality, and an understanding of disability and how this may impact on the quality of life and life choices for disabled people and their families.
• Commitment, enthusiasm and time to dedicate to the role and responsibilities of being a Trustee.
• Commitment to the charity’s vision, mission and values and a desire to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable beneficiary community.
• Understanding of the context in which the Muscle Help Foundation works, its values, and the importance of ensuring public confidence and trust in the charity.
• Previous experience of working collaboratively as part of a team, using sound independent judgement and collective decision making.
• The capacity to grasp issues outside personal experience and the ability to contribute to high level strategy development.
• The ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Commitment to equality and diversity in working relationships with other trustees, staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
• Professional or relevant experience and knowledge and/or the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills needed to support the charity’s interests.

In terms of the specific skills sought, you might be a senior HR professional, studying additional CIPD qualifications, with HR, people development and policy management experience. You will be collaborative, with a values driven style, understand organisational goals, and be compassionate, living and breathing family values.

What will you be doing?

2026/27 is a pivotal time as the charity moves into its 23rd year of operation. This is an opportunity to bring your skills, talents, energy and experience in making a vital difference in a role that we hope you will find fulfilling. As a Trustee, you will have an opportunity to help improve the lives of vulnerable children, young people, adults & their families living with Muscular Dystrophy. You will contribute to the governance of a highly respected, small national charity. You will have strategic responsibility for a specific skill area, in this case HR. You will act as an advocate in promoting MHF's work across your network. You will receive induction, support and training. You will have an opportunity to use your skills & experience for the benefit of others. You will be part of a small team that is helping the charity achieve its overarching mission.

Requirements

The charity’s values driven approach is fundamental. You will have an understanding and passion for our work, great communication skills and a desire to want to make a difference to the lives of our beneficiary community.

Key Responsibilities And Skills

• Strategic HR Leadership: Developing HR strategy aligned with the charity's goals.
• Employment Compliance: Ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and safeguarding policies.
• Employee Relations: Leading on HR issues, including grievances, disciplinaries, and performance management.
• Policy & Compensation: Developing HR policies and benchmarking compensation and benefits.
• Board Participation: Contributing to the board's strategic direction.

You may have close experience of living with muscular dystrophy, other disabilities or life limiting conditions, but this is desirable and not essential. The expected time commitment is approximately 10-12 hours per month, plus taking part in trustee board meetings (4 a year, 2hrs each), plus MHF's Power Hours (generally once a month) and being involved in occasional projects. MHF Trustees 'own' a 'bucket', in other words, an area of responsibility like 'Finance' or 'HR' that allows an individual to bring their skills, experience and talents to the charity.