Trustee​/Chair of Trustees

Becoming A Trustee with Young Identity

Be one of the first applicants, read the complete overview of the role below, then send your application for consideration.

Our new Trustees may come from many walks of life and we do not require prior board-level experience. At this time, we are particularly keen to hear from candidates who can help to build the charity’s infrastructure with: finance or accountancy, law, human resources and people management, income generation, commercial fundraising, marketing and communications, as well as those with experience in the education sector or working with young people.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate some of the following qualities:

• Sound judgement and strategic thinking ability balanced by an openness to listening to others and to new ideas
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the organisation
• Understanding or experience of the arts and/or education and a belief in the transformative power of poetry and performance
• An enthusiasm for arts charity work and the confidence and willingness to advocate our mission.

All Trustees will be offered an induction. The role offers the opportunity to learn about governance and what it takes to run an arts organisation and achieve its objectives. Alongside experienced individuals, we also want to recruit a young trustee who would be willing to take up a governance role for the first time, someone who is willing to be mentored, so that we can offer tailored support and training as required.

All Trustees will have the opportunity to attend Young Identity writing workshops, training, and events to experience Young Identity’s unique delivery of poetry and performance.

Our current board is a diverse mix of trustees with backgrounds in: economics, law, psychology, education, counselling, young people’s arts production, community engagement and creative business development. The current board brings a wealth of knowledge, both specialist and general, as well as invaluable perspectives and lived experience ranging from the local, national and international. However, we also need to actively manage changes to the board as the terms of current trustees come to an end.

We strive to do this in a systematic and organised way to ensure both continuity, stability as well as the development and progression of Young Identity.

The Role and Responsibilities of Trustees
Trustees are expected to:

• Commit to the responsibilities of the role, including attending and contributing to Board meetings, contributing to sub-committee work and representing Young Identity at events and meetings with key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the governance and strategic direction of Young Identity, ensuring it achieves its mission and objectives.
• Ensure, alongside your fellow Trustees, that the charity’s a ff airs are conducted to the highest standards and with appropriate governance and risk management procedures.
• Be an ambassador for the charity, spreading the word about Young Identity and its work by attending events, using their experience and knowledge to support the development of the organisation.

Terms of Appointment

• Expenses - This is a voluntary role and is unremunerated, although reasonable expenses can be claimed
• Meetings - The Board meets 4-6 times a year; this includes an annual strategic planning away day
• Length of Service - Trustees are appointed by the Board on a three-year term with the option to renew for one further term. There is some flexibility on the length of term for those aged 18 - 30.
• Eligibility - Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and be legally eligible to serve as Board Member/Chair or Trustee of a charity. You must not:
  • Have an unspent conviction for an o ff ence involving dishonesty or deception
  • Be declared bankrupt or be subject to bankruptcy restrictions
  • Have an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) with a creditor
  • Been removed or disqualified as a company director or charity trustee because of wrongdoing Be disqualified or barred from acting as a trustee under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

Being a Chair

The Chair will hold the Board and Leadership Team to account for the Charity’s…