At a Glance
- Tasks: Help shape the future of a charity supporting people with sight loss.
- Company: Vision Support, a charity with 150 years of local impact.
- Benefits: Gain governance experience and influence local services for a social purpose.
- Other info: Unpaid role with a commitment of around four hours per month.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Commitment to our values and willingness to learn; no prior trustee experience needed.
Help shape our next chapter. Could your experience help more people with sight loss live with confidence, independence and connection? Join our Board and help guide a charity with 150 years of local impact as we shape the next chapter of our work.
We welcome people with different professional backgrounds and life experiences. Experience of supporting people, leading organisations or improving how they work would be especially valuable. You do not need to have been a trustee before.
About Vision Support: Established in 1876, Vision Support works across Cheshire, Halton, Flintshire, Wrexham, Conwy and Denbighshire. We provide practical and emotional support, while working with people with vision impairments to challenge barriers and create more opportunities. Our services include independent living support, home visiting, digital skills, benefits advice, counselling, befriending and peer support. From helping someone use accessible technology to supporting them through the emotional impact of sight loss, our work helps people take part in everyday life on their own terms.
Our purpose is simple: no one should experience vision impairment alone. Our vision is a society in which people are connected, confident and capable, with equal opportunities to lead fulfilled lives.
Our values in practice: Developed with people with vision impairments, staff and trustees, our values guide how we work and how we govern. As a trustee, you will help us put them into practice by:
- Standing alongside people with vision impairments and making sure their voices influence decisions and positive change.
- Working together to shape services that make a meaningful difference.
- Acting honestly and with integrity, respecting each person’s choices, independence and dignity.
- Showing care, empathy, respect and reliability.
- Championing inclusion, diversity and equality, and leading by example.
The purpose of the role: Working with fellow trustees, you will help set our direction, oversee our performance and protect our long-term future. You will bring your own perspective, ask thoughtful questions and offer constructive challenge and support to the Chief Executive. The Board holds collective responsibility for the charity; day-to-day management is delegated to the Chief Executive and staff team.
What you will do:
- Shape our strategy and priorities, keeping people with vision impairments central to decisions.
- Ensure we pursue our charitable purposes for public benefit, comply with our governing document and the law, and fulfil your duties as a company director.
- Act in the charity’s best interests with independent judgement, reasonable care and skill, and proper management of conflicts of interest.
- Oversee financial sustainability, resources, risks and service impact.
- Oversee governance, safeguarding, policies, statutory reporting and delegated decisions.
- Promote an inclusive culture that supports staff and volunteers and reflects our values.
- Prepare for Board meetings, participate in trustee learning and contribute to agreed committees or projects.
- Represent Vision Support positively and build relationships and support for our work.
What you will bring: You will bring commitment to our purpose and values, sound judgement and a willingness to learn. You should be able to assess information, think strategically, listen and challenge respectfully. Reliability, confidentiality and time to contribute are essential.
We particularly welcome experience in one or more of the following areas:
- People management, organisational development, workplace culture or inclusive leadership.
- Strategy, governance, organisational change or business leadership.
- Fundraising, communications, marketing or partnership development.
These are areas of interest, not an exhaustive checklist. We value lived experience of sight loss, disability or barriers to inclusion. Charity experience and specialist knowledge of vision impairment are not essential.
What you can gain: You will influence local services, put your skills to work for a clear social purpose and develop your governance experience, supported by induction, trustee learning and your fellow Board members.
Practical details and applying: The role is unpaid. The indicative commitment is around four hours per month, including quarterly Board meetings in Chester, preparation and occasional contributions between meetings. Additional committee work may require more time. Trustees will receive a full induction into the role. Trustees serve three-year terms, with re-election subject to the governing document. Appointment is subject to eligibility and appropriate checks.
We welcome all backgrounds, particularly lived experience of vision impairment and perspectives underrepresented on charity boards. Please tell us about adjustments that would help you apply or undertake the role.
Trustee in Chester employer: Vision Support
Vision Support is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering independence and support for individuals with vision impairments and dual sensory needs. With a strong commitment to employee development, including fully funding the Deafblind Communicator guide qualification, and a collaborative work culture that prioritises warmth, dignity, and respect, employees can expect meaningful engagement and growth opportunities while making a significant impact in their community across Denbighshire and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trustee in Chester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Vision Support.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Vision Support.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Vision Support.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Vision Support. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Trustee in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Vision Support. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Trustee, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vision Support
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Vision Support. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
