Use your marketing & communications expertise to help Ups and Downs Southwest reach more families of children with Down Syndrome, raise awareness, and strengthen our voice. Join our friendly board and make a meaningful strategic impact.
What difference will you make?
This role will play a key part in helping Ups and Downs Southwest reach more families, strengthen our voice and increase our overall impact and sustainability. We know that many families of children with Down syndrome still do not access support early enough—or at all—simply because they are unaware of what is available. By improving our marketing and communications at a strategic level, this trustee will help ensure more families feel informed, connected and supported from the earliest possible stage. At the same time, stronger communications are essential to how we engage supporters, raise funds and build long-term relationships. This role will help us develop clearer, more compelling messaging that inspires individuals, partners and funders to support our work—whether through donations, partnerships or advocacy. Increased visibility and well‑targeted publicity will enable us to grow our income and extend our reach.
Responsibilities
- Reach underserved areas across the South West where awareness is lower
- Strengthen how we engage supporters and communicate the value of our work
- Raise our profile with funders, partners and the wider community
- Deliver more effective campaigns that drive both awareness and income
- Better demonstrate our impact, supporting long‑term sustainability
Qualifications
- Developing or shaping marketing and/or communications strategies
- Brand development and maintaining a clear, consistent voice
- Digital marketing, including social media, email and website content
- Public relations, media or campaigns that raise awareness and visibility
- Creating compelling messages and storytelling to engage different audiences
- Engaging supporters, customers or stakeholders in a way that drives income, loyalty or advocacy
Preferred qualities
- Can think strategically, contributing ideas and insight at Board level rather than focusing on day‑to‑day delivery
- Is able to translate expertise into clear, practical guidance for a small charity context
- Is comfortable acting as a supportive sounding board, while also offering constructive challenge when needed
- Has a collaborative and approachable style, working positively with fellow trustees and the staff/volunteer team
- Is motivated by making a difference and committed to our mission and values
What you will be doing
- Act as a sounding board and critical friend on marketing and communications matters
- Support the Board in developing a clearer, more joined‑up communications approach aligned to our wider strategy
- Provide guidance on how we can strengthen our brand, voice and messaging while remaining authentic and community‑led
- Offer insight into opportunities to grow our reach, including digital channels, partnerships and campaigns
- Contribute to discussions about how we communicate impact to funders and stakeholders
Hybrid location. You will not be responsible for delivering day‑to‑day activity, but will play an important strategic role in shaping our approach and supporting those involved operationally. There will also be an opportunity to be involved in a small working group or subcommittee focused on communications or fundraising. This is an exciting time to join Ups and Downs Southwest. The input of this trustee will help us reach more families, amplify positive messages about Down syndrome, and ensure that our voice reflects the experiences and aspirations of the community we serve. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference at a strategic level, helping to shape how a well‑respected regional charity grows its visibility, influence and impact in the years ahead.
