At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of advocacy for people with learning disabilities and guide strategic planning.
- Company: Vocal Advocacy, a passionate charity dedicated to empowering individuals with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, enhance your skills, and make a real difference in the community.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to contribute unique skills and support meaningful change in South Devon and Torbay.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic board and help ensure accessible advocacy for those who need it most.
- Qualifications: Team players with good communication skills and a passion for advocacy are encouraged to apply.
Passionate about rights? Vocal Advocacy needs people like you on our Board. You don’t need a background in supporting people with a learning disability, but you must share our dedication to their empowerment. Vocal’s Board of Trustees is collectively responsible for setting the charity’s vision, safeguarding its reputation and financial security, and ensuring full compliance with charity and company law. It works in partnership with our members, staff and volunteers, embedding co‑production at every level. Trustees guide strategy, safeguard values, and ensure co‑production is at the heart of everything we do.
As part of our Board, you will support and shape our work and strategic direction, and help us achieve our purpose to ensure wide‑ranging and easily accessible advocacy is available to people with a learning disability in South Devon and Torbay. As a Trustee, you will have a real opportunity to offer your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity.
QualificationsWe are looking for individuals who are team players with good communication and listening skills, with the ability to relate to our members, staff and fellow trustees. They should bring strategic vision and independent judgement, as well as the ability to think creatively and contribute new ideas. The participation of our members in the recruitment is fundamental. We asked them about the qualities they thought a trustee should have and some of their ideas were:
- Understand people with a learning disability
- Know what advocacy is and how it helps
- Understand people’s rights and want to help people have a voice
- Respect personal space, boundaries and trust
- Be at the “level” of the members and approachable, able to make the members feel valued and appreciated
- Understand money – perhaps have run a business
New trustees would bring their own personal skillset to the role. This could cover a wide range of experience including finance, strategic and business planning, income‑generation strategies, communications, lived experience of advocacy, and social care service delivery and commissioning. They may have supported people with learning disability and bring an understanding of their lives and communication needs. Our skill‑set priorities for the Board will evolve over time. Currently we are happy to receive a wide range of applications, although we would particularly welcome the opportunity to recruit a potential treasurer with financial expertise (although significant responsibilities are delegated to our accountant).
ResponsibilitiesAs trustee you will help shape our future, advocate for people with learning disability, work closely with members and colleagues, participate in strategic planning and co‑production, and oversee our work and ensure it is delivered effectively. Our challenge is to sustain our new services and continue our development. Income generation, fundraising and successful grant bids will be key parts of our business planning. Public and policy engagements, co‑production facilitation, board governance, strategic direction, ensuring compliance with charity law and company law, safeguarding values, and ensuring our services are accessible. This is an exciting time to join the board and support our ongoing development as we build on strong foundations.
Devon Advocacy service seeks trustees - Volunteer employer: Vocal Advocacy
Vocal Advocacy is an exceptional employer for those passionate about empowering individuals with learning disabilities. As a trustee, you will join a collaborative and inclusive board that values co-production and offers opportunities for personal growth while making a meaningful impact in South Devon and Torbay. With a commitment to safeguarding the charity's vision and financial security, you will play a vital role in shaping our strategic direction and ensuring accessible advocacy for all.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Devon Advocacy service seeks trustees - Volunteer
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Devon Advocacy service seeks trustees - Volunteer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Vocal Advocacy, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Vocal Advocacy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vocal Advocacy
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Vocal Advocacy and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
