Trustee (Marketing & Communications)

What will you be doing?

Ups and Downs Southwest is led by a committed and passionate Board of Trustees, many of whom bring lived experience alongside professional expertise. As a growing charity, we have reached an important stage where we want to strengthen how we communicate our impact, engage new audiences and ensure more families across the South West know about and can benefit from our support.

We have developed and expanded our services in recent years, and now face the exciting challenge of ensuring our marketing and communications activity keeps pace. We want to be more strategic and consistent in how we present ourselves, tell our stories and reach those who need us most. This includes raising awareness in areas where families may not yet be connected, as well as strengthening engagement with supporters, partners and funders.

We are therefore looking for a Trustee who can take a lead interest in marketing and communications at Board level. This person will not be responsible for delivering day-to-day activity, but will play an important strategic role in shaping our approach and supporting those involved operationally.

In this role, you will:

• Act as a sounding board and critical friend on marketing and communications matters
• Support the Board in developing a clearer, more joined-up communications approach aligned to our wider strategy
• Provide guidance on how we can strengthen our brand, voice and messaging while remaining authentic and community-led
• Offer insight into opportunities to grow our reach, including digital channels, partnerships and campaigns
• Contribute to discussions about how we communicate impact to funders and stakeholders

Depending on your interest, there will also be an opportunity to be involved in a small working group or subcommittee focused on communications or fundraising.

This is an exciting time to join Ups and Downs Southwest. With strong foundations in place and a clear sense of purpose, your input will help us reach more families, amplify positive messages about Down syndrome, and ensure that our voice reflects the experiences and aspirations of the community we serve.

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference at a strategic level, helping to shape how a well-respected regional charity grows its visibility, influence and impact in the years ahead.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a trustee who can bring strong marketing and communications expertise to support the strategic development of Ups and Downs Southwest.

Our ideal candidate will have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Developing or shaping marketing and/or communications strategies
• Brand development and maintaining a clear, consistent voice
• Digital marketing, including social media, email and website content
• Public relations, media or campaigns that raise awareness and visibility
• Creating compelling messages and storytelling to engage different audiences
• Engaging supporters, customers or stakeholders in a way that drives income, loyalty or advocacy

You do not need to have worked in the charity sector before—we welcome people from commercial, public or voluntary backgrounds who can bring transferable skills and fresh perspectives.

We are particularly interested in someone who understands how effective communications can support both impact and sustainability—helping organisations reach the right people, build strong relationships with supporters, and communicate their value clearly to funders and partners.

Alongside your professional experience, we are looking for someone who:

• Can think strategically, contributing ideas and insight at Board level rather than focusing on day-to-day delivery
• Is able to translate expertise into clear, practical guidance for a small charity context
• Is comfortable acting as a supportive sounding board, while also offering constructive challenge when needed
• Has a collaborative and approachable style, working positively with fellow trustees and the staff/volunteer team
• Is motivated by making a difference and committed to our mission and values

You don’t need previous trustee experience, but an understanding of or willingness to learn about governance is important.

Lived experience of Down syndrome is not required, but empathy, sensitivity and an appreciation of the importance of inclusive, respectful communication is essential in this role.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about using their skills to help a growing charity strengthen its voice, expand its reach, and build the support it needs to continue making a difference to families across the South West.

What difference will you make?

This role will play a key part in helping Ups and Downs Southwest reach more families, strengthen our voice and increase our overall impact and sustainability.

We know that many families of children with Down syndrome still do not access support early enough—or at all—simply because they are unaware of what is available. By improving our marketing and communications at a strategic level, this trustee will help ensure more families feel informed, connected and supported from the earliest possible stage.

At the same time, stronger communications are essential to how we engage supporters, raise funds and build long-term relationships. This role will help us develop clearer, more compelling messaging that inspires individuals, partners and funders to support our work—whether through donations, partnerships or advocacy. Increased visibility and well-targeted publicity will enable us to grow our income and extend our reach.

The trustee’s input will help us to:

• Reach underserved areas across the South West where awareness is lower
• Strengthen how we engage supporters and communicate the value of our work
• Raise our profile with funders, partners and the wider community
• Deliver more effective campaigns that drive both awareness and income
• Better demonstrate our impact, supporting long-term sustainability

Ultimately, this role will help us build a stronger, more recognisable and influential voice—one that not only connects more families to support, but also inspires others to champion and invest in our work.

By helping us grow both awareness and support, the trustee will directly contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people with Down syndrome and their families across the region.

Before you apply

Once you apply via Reach, your details will be reviewed by the Board. If we feel there is a good fit, one of our trustees will be in touch to arrange an informal conversation.

This will be an opportunity for us to learn more about your experience and for you to find out more about the role and our work. If both sides wish to proceed, we will outline next steps following this initial discussion.

We aim to keep the process straightforward and welcoming, and will be in touch with applicants as soon as possible after reviewing their information.