SMiRA is looking for a new Fundraiser to join a dynamic and committed team of voluntary Trustees as we undertake our day-to-day function as a Selective Mutism advice, support and research organisation and we seek to grow our charity.
SMiRA was registered as a charity in 1992 and aims to provide information and support to children, young people and adults affected by Selective Mutism, to their parents and carers, and to professional workers involved in the care of all those affected by Selective Mutism. It also aims to advance education of the public by conducting research into the condition and publishing the useful results of such research, and to generally raise awareness of SM within the general public. SMiRA currently has over 24,000 members worldwide and has a big impact for a small charity.
Selective Mutism (SM), is an anxiety-based mental health disorder which usually commences in early childhood. Those with SM speak fluently in some situations but remain consistently silent in others. They may have a blank expression or appear ‘frozen’ when expected to speak. Left untreated SM can persist right into adulthood and lead to the development of other mental health disorders such as Social Anxiety and Depression with accompanying potentially serious impacts on the ability to have relationships, learn and work. Early treatment, particularly at a young age, can be very successful.
SMiRA is run by the Management Committee which consists of twelve voluntary members with a variety of professional and non-professional backgrounds. All members of this committee are Trustees of the charity who share equally ultimate control over, and legal responsibility for, the management and administration of the charity.
The Management Committee meet around six times a year via Zoom plus the AGM, with matters as they arise being dealt with as necessary in between. The average time commitment for the Fundraiser is expected to be 1-3 hours per week in addition to meetings.
Personal qualities required:
Please see the full SMiRA Fundraiser Role Description for the specific tasks of the role.
The successful candidate will play a crucial role on the charity’s Management Committee, including working closely with the other Trustees and the SMiRA Coordinator. The Fundraiser will provide expertise in fundraising for the charity as well as acting as a full Trustee. The SMiRA team are very friendly and caring and work together to share the workload to ensure that no one Trustee is overburdened or asked to do more than they wish.
The Management Committee meet around six times a year via Zoom plus the AGM, with matters as they arise being dealt with as necessary in between. The average time commitment is expected to be 1-3 hours per week in addition to meetings.
Selective Mutism can have a devastating impact on the mental health and life chances of children and adults who experience this distressing and disabling condition. As a Trustee of SMiRA you will be helping to raise awareness of SM on a local, national and international level and assist in influencing government policy through our work with other UK charities and groups of which we are members such as The Speech and Language Alliance, Government APPG's and the Selective Mutism CEN, and through our contacts with other SM groups around the world. As Fundraiser you will be helping to ensure that SMiRA can go on into the future to support at an individual level people with SM, their parents/carers and the professionals who work with them, and to continue with our very important work of helping to relieve suffering from SM.
Applicants should apply via the Reach Volunteering platform.
