Introduction
Winsford Youth & Community Forum (WYCF) is a registered Charity, steered by a Board of Trustees whose Head Office and primary site of operations is based appropriately for access from across the town in a building on Nixon Drive, Grange Estate, Winsford. The building is owned by Cheshire West & Chester Council with WYCF having just secured a 35 year lease. Other currently lesser utilised sites include Winsford Marina and Wharton Youth Club.
Originally based around providing youth provision WYCF expanded its focus in 2017 to include the wider community. With a change of name, the WYCF of today delivers a wide, varied, and diverse range of projects and activities which encompass the diverse needs of the whole town.
Priding itself on working on behalf of children, young people, and adults to provide, projects, facilities, and services for all – regardless of age or any other of the other 8 protected characteristics as stated in the Equality Act 2010
Trustee Role & Responsibilities:
Our board of trustees work together to support our Management Team with the future developments and growth of our charity both from our community centre based in the heart of Winsford but also to deliver outreach activities across the whole of Winsford.
Our organisation has grown over the past 4 years, and we are looking to further that growth both in our community centres infrastructure, staffing structure and income generation. We are looking for new trustees to listen, support and challenge our Executive Director and leaderships team to make sure we stay on track and meet our legal obligations.
Winsford Youth & Community Forum are looking to recruit trustees who have a variety of skills, experience and expertise. We are especially interested in trustees who can bring a financial, HR or marketing background but this is not limited to the positions.
The duties of a trustee are as follows.
• To ensure that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document (i.e. its trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• To ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
• To ensure that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• To Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• To follow proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive (if the charity employs staff)
• To attend, prepare for and take full part in all meetings of the Board and any formal or informal sub-groups
• To undertake an induction upon appointment and to remain aware of a trustee’s duties and responsibilities
• To abide by and support collective decisions made by the Board
• To act as an ambassador for the charity
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Person specification
You will be willing to apply your skills and experience in regular Trustee meetings, share your insights, be willing to learn from those we work with as well as make a creative contribution as a trustee.
• A commitment to the organisation
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Anility to contribute to the setting of the strategic vision and objectives of the charity, and its budget, and to monitor performance towards the achievements of the objectives and budget
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak their mind and not afraid to challenge constructively
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Time Commitment: 0 – 6 hours per month (some of this time may include evenings)
Board Meetings: 9 per year
Other meetings: 3 per year
Terms of Office
Appointments are for a three-year term initially, with an option of a further appointment subject to satisfactory performance.
This is a voluntary role, and no enumeration will be made.
We are excited to bring people with new skills, ideas and inspiration to our board if you would like to find out more about these opportunities or if you have any questions then please contact:
Debbie Cragg, Executive Director – debbie.cragg@wycf.co.uk – 01606 659413