At a glance

Skills

Governance
Strategic development and planning
Change management
General / operations management

Where

London, WC2B 5AZ

Mainly at home

Time

Either in or out of office hours Estimate of time needed:
0-5 hours / month X4 in-person meetings per year - time commitment to read papers and contribute to role outside of meetings. Initial 3 year term.

Deadline

31 Jan 2025

Visitors from Fifth Day

Welcome to Reach Volunteering. We are a community and registered charity that connects people, skills and good causes.

To apply for this role, and any other on our platform, you need to be based in the UK, have at least three years of experience using the skills you wish to volunteer in a professional capacity or have lived experience (for trustee roles). Read more about our criteria.

We are looking to appoint a trustee to join our Board at a very exciting time of growth and change. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of the charity’s development and capitalise on our 25th anniversary.

What will you be doing?

Lifelites is a charity that passionately believes all children should be able to enjoy a childhood that they and their families can cherish, filled with special moments of fun, happiness and meaningful connection.

By harnessing sensory and assistive technology, children and young people with life-limiting conditions are empowered to play, learn, connect with their families and access the support they need to thrive. Lifelites provides the latest equipment, training and ongoing support, free of charge, for the children’s palliative care sector throughout Britain and Ireland, reaching 13,500 children.

However, there are an estimated 99,000 children and young people in the UK living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. As part of our ambitious 2023-28 Strategy, we are aiming to significantly increase access to our services for thousands more children.

We are particularly seeking applicants who have experience in:- children’s palliative care- children’s social care- special educational needs

Together with fellow Board members, as a Trustee you will act in the Charity's best interests, set the strategy and policies, make key decisions and oversee the management of the Charity.

Key duties

To ensure that Lifelites complies with its Constitution, Charity Law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
To ensure that Lifelites pursues its charitable objects as defined in the Constitution.
To scrutinise Board papers and contribute to debate and decision making.
To ensure Lifelites uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: the organisation must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are.
To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction to Lifelites, setting overall strategy and policies, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
To safeguard the reputation and values of Lifelites.
To ensure that Lifelites considers and mitigates key risks.
To ensure the effective and efficient administration of Lifelites.
To ensure the financial stability of Lifelites.
To protect and manage Lifelites’ assets and to ensure the proper investment of its funds.
To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor their performance.

What are we looking for?

Person Specification

A strong commitment to the work of Lifelites.
Experience of operating at Board or senior level professionally.
Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
Good, independent judgment.
Strong strategic thinking.
Willingness to articulate opinions whilst understanding the importance of collective responsibility.
Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
Ability to access and use IT including email, video conferencing and Microsoft Office.

We are particularly seeking applicants who have experience in

children’s palliative care
children’s social care
special educational needs

Other duties

In addition to the above responsibilities, each Trustee is expected to apply their skills, knowledge, experience and best judgement to enable the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions.

This may involve:

Working on sub-committees.

Supporting the development of new areas of work.
Leading on and presenting on key issues.
Using networks to create new opportunities for the organisation.

What difference will you make?

Together with our dedicated, passionate team of Trustees and staff, you will shape and implement Lifelites' 2023-28 strategy, which is designed to transform the charity from a donor of assistive technology for children's hospices to an influential, thought-leading service provider across children's palliative care.

You will be working with a talented, united team across six strategic priorities, fundamental of which is our ambition to improve the impact and reach of our services to support more children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

At the heart of our strategy is the drive to empower seriously ill children and young people to enjoy a childhood that they and their families can cherish, filled with special moments of fun, happiness and meaningful connection.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach with a copy of your CV and a 1-side A4 personal statement outlining your motivations and skills as relevant to the role.

Trustee_Recruitment Pack_18 12 24.docx

About Lifelites

Causes

Children / families

Learning disabilities / difficulties

Physical disabilities

Young people

Organisation type:

Charity

We harness innovative technology to empower children and young people with life-limiting conditions, along with their families, to experience unforgettable moments of connection and joy.