Volunteer Trustee role for HR professional | Friends for Life Bedfordshire

Friends for Life provides a unique befriending service to lonely, socially isolated residents in Bedford’s care homes. We are looking for an HR professional to join our Board.

What difference will you make?

Our charity offers unique service that makes a real difference to the well-being of some of the most vulnerable members of our community, tackling social isolation and strengthening community links. As a trustee, you will play an important role in helping us to fulfil our mission, as well as doing something that is personally rewarding and enjoyable.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an individual with relevant professional knowledge, skills and experience that can lead for the Board on human resource management issues, as well as making a full contribution to the Board on other matters. Responsibilities of the role include –

• Providing HR advice to the Board and the staff team as required
• Chairing the Board sub-committee that oversees matters related to staff, including recruitment, appraisal, pay, restructuring, and well-being
• Ensuring that relevant policies are effective and up to date
• Participation in selection panels for staff
• Oversight and management of any grievance, disciplinary, or whistleblowing process No previous experience of being a Trustee is required. All new Trustees are supported through an induction programme, including specialist training covering the role and responsibilities of trustees. We are proud to have Trustees from a diverse range of personal and professional backgrounds, and are particularly keen to encourage applications from individuals from under-represented groups, and from those with disabilities or other protected characteristics. What will you be doing?

The Board currently meets on a monthly basis, with a mixture of in person and remote (online) meetings. In person meetings are held at our offices in Bedford. Meetings are generally held in the evening, from 6pm to 8pm. As well as the main board, we also have a number of board committees. These cover specific areas such as quality, finance, communications, people, and governance, and meet around four times a year. Trustees are each expected to serve on two committees. From time to time we hold strategy days for Trustees, providing the opportunity for more in depth discussion. These are typically held twice a year, usually on a Saturday morning at our Bedford offices. As a Trustee, you will also have many other opportunities to support the work of the charity, for example acting as an ambassador and engaging with stakeholders, working with staff on projects, and meeting volunteers