Policing Trustee in Bristol

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. We work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse. We want what you want for your best friend. We listen to survivors, putting their voices at the heart of our thinking. We look at the whole picture for each individual and family to get the right help at the right time to make families everywhere safe and well. And we challenge perpetrators to change, asking ‘why doesn’t he stop?’ rather than ‘why doesn’t she leave?’ This applies whatever the gender of the victim or perpetrator and whatever the nature of their relationship. We hold the UK’s largest datasets on domestic abuse and we match this data with practical expertise and an ever-growing number of survivor voices, to innovate and to press for change. Last year alone, we trained more than 15,000 professionals. Over 90,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder; more than 110,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support, designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last nine years, almost 7,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change through interventions we created with partners.

Role summary

Our Trustees are energetic ambassadors for the charity and our ambitious goals, supporting our strategic development, communications and income generation and working alongside a fantastic group of colleagues and our leadership team. We want to appoint a Trustee who demonstrates a clear commitment to our values: Brave, Rigorous, Human and Inclusive. It is also important to us to maintain a truly diverse and inclusive Board and we particularly welcome candidates for Chair who add to the range and breadth of experience our current Trustees bring and can represent voices we may be missing.

Length of appointment

Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, which can be renewed for a further term.

Expected time commitment

Approximately 10 days per year, but more time will be needed at the start of a Trustee’s first term. Trustees are expected to attend all Board meetings, which are held four times a year in normal office hours. At least two Board meetings a year and the annual Away Day are held in-person, trustees being required to travel to London or Bristol. Trustees are also invited to attend the annual staff conference and various events. Committee meetings are held online. These positions are unremunerated, but reasonable expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

Key responsibilities: strategy, governance and compliance

• Contributing to the development and implementation of SafeLives’ strategy in line with the charity’s objectives as defined in its governing documents and its mission.
• Reviewing the charity’s performance and impact against its strategic objectives.
• Ensuring that the interests and voices of victims and survivors are central to the work of the board.
• Making sure that the charity understands and takes affirmative, restorative action to both highlight and tackle discrimination and inequity, in our work as an organisation and as an employer and partner.
• Strategic risk oversight - setting the risk appetite levels for the organisation and then monitoring it.
• Approving the annual budget, operating plan, audit and material business decisions.
• Being informed and ensuring that the charity meets all legal and regulatory requirements and responsibilities including taking professional advice where necessary.
• Working with the CEO and contributing to their annual performance review.
• Serving on committees, commensurate with time each Trustee is able to commit.
• Representing SafeLives to stakeholders and acting as an ambassador for the charity.
• Supporting SafeLives' fundraising and income generation activities.
• Safeguarding the reputation and values of SafeLives.

Trustee knowledge, skills and experience information

Knowledge and experience

Your knowledge and experience of policing domestic abuse and public protection will help with ensuring you have:

• A far-reaching network at a senior policing level, with the ability to influence for the good of the charity.
• Excellent knowledge and experience of policing, which will help shape our strategic direction and decision-making in this important area of our work.

Professional skills

We're looking for a trustee with experience and knowledge of working within the criminal justice system, specifically within policing. This is an important area of our work that won’t be represented on our board from September 2026. With strategic level experience of working within policing – Chief Inspector or above.

Governance / Charity experience

Experience at Trustee level is not required, however knowledge of what is involved in the role is essential: gov.uk/guidance/charity-commission-guidance

Passion for the cause

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the work that we do at SafeLives, and someone who is happy to advocate for and represent the charity to key stakeholders to help further our work and impact.

How to apply

You will be asked to submit the following:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, tailored to information contained in this pack.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages) explaining:
• Your motivation for applying for this role.
• How you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the information included in this pack.

In addition, to be considered for the role, you will be asked to complete a Diversity Monitoring Form and a Declaration of Conflicts of Interest/Political Activity form.

Closing date: Friday 21st August 2026

If you encounter any issues with your online application or require any reasonable adjustments please contact our Director of People and Culture, Angela Webster by emailing.

Confidential Discussion

Please contact us for an initial discussion: Angela Webster, Director of People and Culture 07909911473