Governance Trustee Thursday 23 July 2026 Sutton

Closing date: Thursday 23 July 2026
Location: Sutton

Closing date: 5PM 23 July 2026

Sutton Vision Trustee Recruitment pack

Welcome fromChairofrecruitmentpanel.

Thank youso muchfor your interest in Sutton Vision. My name is JulietMilgate,and Iamresponsible forchairing the Trustee recruitment process fortheorganisation.

We’rea Sutton basedcharityworking to support people living and working with vision lossacross the Borough. In 2025 we celebrated 60 years of support to the local community. We can only make such a difference because of our localcommunity;they are our staff, our volunteers, our clients, and of course, our Board.

I have seenfirst-hand theimpact of ourstaffand volunteers.Whether it’s the simple pleasure of tea, Scrabble and a good chat at our offices, a calming yoga session, or expert advice,representation,and guidance, we’re here for people experiencing changes in their sight,recognisingthe uncertainty and anxiety that cansometimesbring. Our services are free, accessible to all, andabove all, welcoming.

I have been on the Board forover threeyears now, and I deeply value both the experience and the relationships it has brought me. With my background in international development, sight loss, and disability, I work alongside my fellow Board members to bring a broader perspective and understanding of the sector, complementing the skills and strengths already around the table.

Our newstrategydeveloped in consultation with our staff and volunteersin 2025,sets out an exciting path for the years ahead. As demand for our services and the unmet needin Suttoncontinuesto grow, we want toput in place the plans and investmentthat will help us work in partnership with the community forthe next60 yearsand beyond. To achieve this, we need to expand our Trustee Board and bring in newskills,experiences, perspectives, and enthusiasm.

It’simportant to us that as theorganisationgrows itsdecisionsat Board level continue to be informed by people living with sight loss or vision impairment, so would particularly welcome interest from people with lived experience of sight loss to join the Board.

If you feel youdon’thave all the skills but are still interested in joiningSutton Vision’sBoard, please do get in touch. Wewould love to hear from you.

Many Thanks

About Sutton Vision

Sutton Vision (opens window) works to enable and empower people livingand workingwith sight loss,and those who are blind,to live independentand fulllives.Through our work we provide positive andconstructive knowledge, information,and support to people as they experience changes in their vision or sight loss.

Our teamof staff and volunteersprovides the practical support peoplerequirewhen they need it tomaintainindependence.All are welcome,and our services are availablefree of chargeto anyoneliving and working with sight loss in Sutton.

Since we launched over 60 years ago, Sutton Vision has provided a lifeline for people with visual impairments in our part of London.Our support starts at point of diagnosis with a dedicated Eye Care Liaison Officer at St Helier Hospitalwhooffersemotional and practical support.Our Living Well with Sight Loss workshops give advice on services,support,and financial help.Weprovideadvocacy to help people stay inemployment or access benefits.Wealsooffer tech support, from one-to-one sessions to help people get the most from the many technicalsolutions that can help them navigate the world via everything from phones and computers to low-tech devices to helpin the kitchen.

We also offer a wide range of social activities, from bridge and bingo to exercise classes and days out to help combat the isolation that so oftenaccompaniesa visual impairment.

We do all this with a team of six staff and over 50 volunteers who last year won The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their huge contributionto their community.

Context

With a population of 207,707, Sutton is a Borough in South-west London.RNIB, the Royal National InstituteofBlindPeople,estimates that around 6,020 people in Sutton arecurrentlyliving with sight loss (about 2% of thepopulation) 1 .

This includes:

• 3,890 people living with mild sight loss.
• 1,340 people living with moderate sight loss.
• 790 people living with severe sight loss.

The number of people living with sight loss is rising. Because most sight loss occurs in older age, an ageing and growing population means prevalence will continue to increase. By 2032, an estimated 7,070 people in Sutton will be living with sight loss,a 17% rise in less than a decade.

To meet both current and future needs, Sutton Vision must plan for growth and set a clear strategic direction to 2030.In 2025, we developedournewstrategy, Towards 2030 ,which sets outthat growth and our ambitionsforthe next strategic period.

To meet both current and future needs, Sutton Vision must plan for growth and set a clear strategic direction to 2030.In 2025, we developedournewstrategy, Towards 2030 ,which sets outthat growth and our ambitionsforthe next strategic period.

The recruitment ofnewtrustees isanintegralpart of that growth.

Sutton Vision’s Boardof Trustees

The Boardof Trustees (the Board)sets and oversees Sutton Vision’s strategy and supports the Chief Executiveand teamto deliver our mission effectively and with maximum impact.

Weare currently experiencing aperiod of growth and arelooking foradditionalpeopleto join ourBoard,including one as treasurer.

We would also welcome applications from individuals with experience in the health and social care sector.

Candidates with lived experience of sight loss are critical to our governance and particularly encouraged to apply.

Keyaccountabilities

• Fulfil all the legal duties ofa trusteeand ensure that the charitycomplies withits governing document, charity law, companylawand other relevantlegislation.
• Setorganisationalstrategy and oversee the deliveryofthatstrategy.
• Agree andmonitorbusiness andfinancial plans to support strategicdelivery.
• Ensuresound financial stewardship ofSutton Vision’sfundsandassets.
• Take overall responsibility for safeguardingand health and safety of Sutton Vision clients andstaff.
• Scrutiniseperformance, ensuring that Sutton Vision’s resources are used effectively to achieve our charitableobjectives.
• Ensurecompliance with external regulation and bestpractice.
• Take responsibility for risk management, ensuring risks areidentified,assessedand mitigating action is taken whereverpossible.
• Support the Chief Executiveand teamto deliver theorganisationalstrategy.
• Promote Sutton Vision and act in the best interests of thecharity.
• Lead the culture of Sutton Vision, ensuring decisionsandbehavioursreflect our values.
• Engage with Sutton Vision’sstakeholders.
• Attend andparticipatein all Board meetings(Trusteeswill be asked to attend six board meetings a year, two in person (normally between 4-6pm).

Skills,knowledge,and experience

• Confident and effective communication and influencing skills Willing to provide constructive challenge in meetings.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Proven ability to analyse complex information and concepts.
• Commitment to improving the lives of people with sight loss in the London Borough of Sutton
• Understanding of the work ofSutton Visionand the issues we face
• Commitment to the voluntary sector and willingness tocommitthe timeinvolved.
• Over 16 and resident in the UK

Experience of operating as a Board member within another charitable, public sector or commercial organisation, or a strong and demonstrable ability to do so.

• Knowledge of Trustees’ statutory duties,responsibilities,and liabilities

Ourvaluesandbehaviours

• Strong personal commitment to promoting the interests ofpeople living with visionimpairment.
• Strong personal commitment toSutton Vision’svalues and charitable objectives
• Commitment to personally upholding and promoting the organisational behaviours ofSutton Vision
• Commitment to behaving consistently with Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness,honesty,andleadership.
• Commitment tomaintainingconfidentiality.

Additionalrequirementsfor theTreasurerrole

We arealso lookingfor a Treasurer to join our Board.

Treasurer responsibilities

Treasurers have specific responsibilities delegated to them; however, all trustees, not just theTreasurer,are responsible forthe charity’s finances and should be able to understand,consider,and comment on financial information.

Key accountabilities

• Overseeing and presenting budgets, internal managementaccounts,and annual financial statements to the board of trustees
• Leading in the board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled,invested,and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatoryrequirements.
• Leading in the development and implementation of financial reserves, costmanagement,and investment policies
• Liaising, where applicable, with theappropriate memberof staff responsible/finance volunteer for the financial activities of the organisation
• Chairing the Finance and Risk committee in line with standing orders and terms of reference, and reporting back to the board of trustees
• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of thecharity.
• Overseeing the implementation of andmonitoringspecific financial controls and adherence to systems
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan
• Acting as company secretary
• Experience of presenting financial information verbally
• Experience of improving systems
• Understanding of charity accounts and Charities’ SORP
• Experience of offering strategic financial advice (Board and CEO)
• Experience of chairing orparticipating in a finance committee

Commitment

In addition to theregular Board meetings

• Allow up to4hours per month to handle treasury issues and authorisepayments.
• Allow up to4hours per quarter to review quarterly managementaccounts.
• Ad hoc time to review financial control,banking,and year end work.

Sutton Vision Code of Conduct

Sutton Visionis an inclusiveorganisationthat welcomesallvisually impaired people in Suttonandaimsto provide afirst-rateservice. Itisimportant to us that everyone whoengages with usexperiences afriendly,safe,and respectful environment.

Weexpect thateveryone, clients,volunteers,andstaff,behavesin a tolerant , patient , respectful and kind manner tothose around themat all times.

This involves:

• Treating everyone with dignity and respect
• Using inclusive language and not making assumptions about others’ beliefs,preferences,or views
• Respecting personal boundaries,includingseeking consent beforeproviding assistanceor guidance
• Keepingyour own personal boundaries. Think carefully beforesharing your personal details with others andformingfriendships.

Failure to abide by these standards could result in exclusion from Sutton Vision.

If youwitnessany instances of discrimination,harassmentor inappropriatebehaviourplease speak toour Chief Executive, Sherine, in confidence.

Thank you for respecting this code of conduct.

Applications

To apply please send your CV and supporting statement explaining the reason for applying for this role. Applications should be emailed to info@suttonvision.org.uk by 5pm on 23 July 2026.

If you are a Visionary member or partner and would like to receive regular news and updates about our work, then you can sign up to our mailing list.