Trustee (Voluntary Role)
Citizens Advice Northumberland is currently seeking new trustees to join our board to further strengthen our reach and impact into the communities of Northumberland, which last year supported more than 29,000 people with over 60,000 issues.
Who are Citizens Advice Northumberland?
We give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
Along with the cost of living crisis, benefits, debt and housing are areas we have always worked on and it’s likely they will always be central to what we do, but we’re increasingly working on very different kinds of problems too. We help people understand their consumer and employment rights and pension choices, deal with energy suppliers and preparing representation for people in court.
Now more than ever we are also working together and using our unique insight into the issues people are facing today to show big organisations and the government how they can make things better for people. We challenge prejudices and assumptions in order to solve problems and make people’s lives easier. Our campaigns have contributed to real improvements in millions of people’s lives – from changes to Universal Credit and a price cap on rent-to-own products, to more rights for renters and a better deal for energy consumers. Because that’s why we’re here. To give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem. For everyone, for 80 years.
It’s an exciting time to join us as we continue to develop the service to meet the changing needs of Northumberland. Our current delivery includes:
- Countywide face to face, telephone and digital Advice and Advocacy services
- Macmillan Caseworkers providing welfare benefits support to those with life limiting illness and cancer
- Energy advisers supporting people in fuel poverty to be able to both heat and eat
- Advice Workers supporting those furthest from the labour market with finance, benefits and debt casework and advice
- Help to Claim, our National Citizens Advice offer for Universal Credit claimants helping them navigate the system of UC application, evidencing and award
- Money and Pensions Service, our FCA regulated debt and financial inclusion service supporting people managing £5million of debt in Northumberland this year
Further details of the role can be found here.
What are we looking for?
We are currently seeking new trustees to join our board to further strengthen our reach and impact into the communities of Northumberland.
We particularly welcome applications from people with specialisms in fundraising, communications, HR and press, legal services or political strategy or previous experience of governance and board-level management, such as experience of chairing meetings, committee work and leadership skills exercised through a period change. From time to time we will only consider applications with experience in particular areas. This will be indicated on the information on our website.
What’s in it for you?
Decisions made by the board set the direction of our charitable activities and have a major influence on the success of our work to so that local people are able to take decisions that directly affect their lives. The role provides a unique insight into the issues facing local communities and being a part of improving local people’s lives is very rewarding.
What difference will you make?
The trustees are collectively responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Citizens Advice Northumberland and for developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with governing documents and legal and regulatory guidelines and your energy and ideas will drive the organisation forward.
What is the time commitment?
There are four trustees’ board meetings a year. There are also three committees with particular oversight of the key aspects of the organisation, for example finance, people management, risk and governance. Trustees attend no more than two of these committees. The committees meet four times a year preceding the full board meetings. All meetings take place during the day and last no more than two hours, with the latest finishing time of 6pm. The meetings take place at the Ashington Hub with an option to join remotely. There are other ad hoc meetings at other times with the opportunity of seeing our work in action by visiting the Citizens Advice offices around the county and sitting alongside advisers giving support by phone, email or web chat.
Find out more and how to apply
For further information about the Trustee role, please contact:
Suzanne Claassen
E: suzanneclaassen@citizensadvicenorthumberland.org.uk
T: 07384 510725