Trustee at Alternatives to Violence Project Britain

What will you be doing?

AVPB is at an exciting inflection point. We have recently appointed a new charity director — a significant milestone for an organisation of our size — and the board is energised about what comes next: growing our reach, deepening our impact, and ensuring that AVPB's unique approach to conflict resolution is available to more people across the UK and beyond.

You would be joining a small, close-knit board of trustees with diverse professional backgrounds, replacing a valued colleague whose term has come to a natural end. The board works collaboratively and maintains a warm, engaged relationship with our director and staff. We are proud of what AVPB has built, and we are equally clear-eyed about the work still to do.

Where we are heading

Our new director brings fresh energy and strategic ambition, and the board's immediate priority is to support and challenge them effectively as we enter a growth phase. That means making important decisions about how we invest in AVPB's profile, fundraising capability, and operational infrastructure — decisions that will shape the charity for years to come.

We run community workshops across the UK and provide distance learning programmes for people in prison — work that sits at the heart of our mission. Expanding both strands, and telling that story more compellingly to funders, partners, and the public, is central to our plans.

What are we looking for?

Skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for someone who combines genuine commitment to our mission with the strategic insight and practical skills to help AVPB grow. You don't need to tick every box — but the following gives a sense of what we value.

Core qualities

Mission-driven — You believe in the possibility of a less violent society and are motivated by work that makes that real. An understanding of, or curiosity about, AVPB's approach to conflict resolution is important.

Strategic vision and judgement — You can think beyond the immediate, weigh competing priorities, and offer an independent perspective with confidence and tact. We want trustees who speak their minds constructively.

Collaborative — You work well as part of a small, diverse team. Our board is friendly and non-hierarchical, and we value trustees who engage openly and generously with colleagues.

Governance awareness — You have, or are willing to develop, a working understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities that come with trusteeship. Prior board experience is welcome but not required.

Specialist skills — we're particularly keen to hear from people with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

Marketing and communications — You have experience helping organisations find and tell their story. This might include brand development, digital marketing, social media strategy, paid search, PR, or content creation. Charity or not-for-profit experience is a bonus, but we're equally interested in candidates from the commercial world who are looking to apply their skills for social good.

IT and digital transformation — You have experience modernising how organisations work digitally. This could span IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud collaboration tools, or broader digital strategy. Getting our digital foundations right is a strategic priority, and your guidance at board level would make a tangible difference.

Criminal justice and community settings — You have professional, voluntary, or personal experience of the criminal justice system, prison settings, probation, or related community work. AVPB has deep roots in prison education and continues to deliver distance learning programmes to people in custody. A trustee who understands that world — from any vantage point — would bring a valuable perspective to our board and help ensure our work remains grounded in the realities of those we serve.

A note on diversity

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including those who may not have previously considered a trustee role. AVPB's strength has always come from bringing together people with different experiences and perspectives — that principle applies as much to our board as to our workshops. If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria, please reach out — we would rather have a conversation than miss a great candidate.

What difference will you make?

The role you'll play

As a trustee, you will contribute to shaping that strategic direction at board level — bringing your expertise and independent judgement to bear on the decisions that matter most. 

Depending on your background, we would welcome your active involvement in one of two priority areas:

Marketing and communications — helping us sharpen AVPB's voice and visibility, from brand and storytelling to digital channels, social media, and supporter engagement. There is a real opportunity here to help us reach new audiences, attract donors, and build partnerships.

IT and digital — helping us modernise and secure our operations. As a remote-working organisation, our digital infrastructure matters enormously, and a trustee who can provide guidance on tools, systems, and digital strategy would make an immediate difference.

Why this role matters

AVPB's work changes lives. The evidence for restorative, non-violent approaches to conflict is strong — and demand for what we do is growing. But like many small charities, our capacity to reach our full potential has been constrained by resources and profile.

This is a genuine opportunity to help an organisation with many years of impact behind it step into its next chapter. The board is motivated, the director is ambitious, and the mission is as urgent as ever. We would love you to be part of it.

Before you apply

To apply, please submit a short personal statement — no more than one page — explaining your motivation for joining the AVPB board and how your skills and experience are relevant to the role, alongside your CV or LinkedIn profile.

We review applications on a rolling basis and will contact candidates we wish to take forward directly. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of applying, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion — though we are grateful for your interest and encourage you to stay connected with AVPB's work.