We're a small charity seeking trustees to help make a big difference
Trustee recruitment for A Mile in Her Shoes - Summer 2020
Organisation: A Mile in Her Shoes
Role: Trustees
Remuneration: None, but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed
Location: UK wide but with regular out of hours meetings in London (virtual during Covid-19 lockdown)
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 30 June 2020
Who we are:
A Mile in Her Shoes (AMiHS) is a small, volunteer-led and award winning, charity helping women experiencing social disadvantages (including homelessness) in London to help them find their feet and change lives through running and fun fitness activities.
We partner with a range of organisations that support women’s recovery including large homelessness charities, violence against women and girls' charities, and smaller grass roots organisations.
We offer fun, friendly and inclusive activities so that our members can access the same positive mental, physical, health and social benefits from exercise as any other women, by addressing barriers to participation.
AMiHS is one of the country’s most exciting young charities. Four years after it was set up, it was shortlisted for the 2017 Guardian Public Service Awards and was awarded project funding from Comic Relief in 2018.
Like many small charities, we are entirely led by our Board of Trustees, several of whom are directly involved with delivering our services at grassroots (e.g. as group leaders).
We are a registered charity (charity number 1183760). Most of our funding comes from grants e.g. Comic Relief and Mayor of London.
Many runners strongly identify with the aims of A Mile in Her Shoes and we have a strong community fundraising stream as well as commercial partnerships. As we grow, we are seeking to develop a more sustainable financial model via partnership working and developing a robust, independent, fundraising capacity.
What we do:
We identify and remove barriers to participating in physical fitness activities that women experiencing multiple disadvantages (particularly homelessness) may be facing. Activities generally consist of one hour, women-only, fitness sessions designed by our team and take place either indoors or in local parks and open spaces.
Community Coaches generally design and lead the sessions, supported by volunteers. We also provide appropriate and comfortable kit to those who would like or need it, along with water and healthy snacks.
Why we need you:
We are looking for highly motivated individuals who would like to use their professional and/or personal experience, time, and skills to develop and deliver a sustainable growth strategy for the charity.
We ask trustees to dedicate at least 8 hours per month to support the running of the charity, and the work of our community coaches and volunteers. Board meetings are held bi-monthly, usually in the early evening in central London, although recent experience has demonstrated that it should be possible to attend meetings remotely, at least part of the time.
Currently, we particularly welcome trustees with skills in corporate fundraising, organisational development, and growth and financial management.
All trustees will actively contribute to setting policy and the strategic direction of the charity.
Many of our women have experienced significant and complex trauma, so our sessions are run by qualified, female group leaders to address concerns over emotional and physical safety, under a Genuine Occupational Requirement. A Mile in Her Shoes welcomes trustee applications from all genders.
Please note that due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown most of our activities are currently suspended, but we are working hard behind the scenes to provide ongoing support to our beneficiaries and to ensure we can restart our sessions as quickly as possible post lockdown. Our Board will also need to identify where we need to adapt and change as an organisation to meet the changed operating and financial environment post emergency.
How to apply:
To apply to join our Board of Trustees, please submit a CV and letter of application, telling us why you want to join A Mile in Her Shoes and the skills and experience you bring, to Erin Kirby by emailing support@erinkirbyva.com.
For an informal discussion about the post, we can arrange a call with one of our trustees. If you would like to request a call, please indicate this when sending your CV and letter of application, and ensure you include a phone number
Closing date for applications is 11.59pm on Tuesday 30 June 2020. Initial interviews with prospective trustees will be held remotely. 2018.
We apologise that due to limited resources, we may only be able to respond to those applicants we wish to invite to interview.
Read more about the legal responsibilities of being a charity trustee here.
