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The current Chair of HF Mencap is stepping down after twenty years of service and is keen that a replacement is found soon to bring a fresh perspective and maintain momentum. A group of Trustees is supporting the process of finding his replacement.
Does somebody you know have an interest in taking on the role?
Anybody who is interested in understanding more about the role before applying should contact: trustees@hfmencap.org
Location:
Addison Road Primary School, Addison Gardens, London W14 0DT
Mix of local and remote working, currently weighted heavily towards the latter.
Time:
Expected to be an average of up to 10 hours a month, including running a minimum of four Board Meetings a year, and attending internal working groups and external meetings. A higher time investment will be needed during the period of induction.
Period:
Three-year term on election with the opportunity to be re-elected for a further term of three years.
Terms:
Voluntary role, necessary out of pocket expenses reimbursed.
About HF Mencap:
HF Mencap is the only disabilities charity in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham that focuses solely on people with learning disabilities, autism, and other developmental conditions. It mainly supports clients from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, with a small number from three other London boroughs.
The charity provides a wide range of service-user led activity, summarised in five projects: advocacy for families of young people with learning disabilities, a peer-support group for young people’s families, a youth development project for young adults, a transitions service for young adults with additional mental health needs and a day service where the focus is on peer support and skills development through a range of inclusive activities.
To learn more about the charity please go to: https://hfmencap.org/
What are we looking for?
A Chair to join the Board of Trustees at an exciting point in the Charity’s development. Having continued to provide services successfully in the face of COVID, it has recently moved to new premises. We are looking for somebody with the energy and experience to oversee governance and work closely with the Chief Executive to take HF Mencap through the next phase of development, which will include building up reserves further and diversifying the current service provision.
Experience of working in the third sector and being a trustee would be advantageous but not essential, whereas experience of leadership and chairing meetings and/or events is. The role requires the ability to connect and communicate with people with a range of learning disabilities and/or autism to ensure that the charity is meeting their needs. Personal connection to people living with these challenges either by means of a family relationship or work is desirable, but if not present a strong affinity with HF Mencap’s cause is needed.
What will you be doing?
The purpose of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and to lead the oversight of the management of the charity. The Chair will enable the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of HF Mencap.
The Chair works with the other Trustees and the Chief Executive to ensure that the organisation complies with its legal duties and makes sure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing documents.
The role ensures that the charity has a clear vision and mission, and that strategic objectives are developed, and resources used, to enable maximum impact for its beneficiaries.
The Chair will work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and will communicate the decisions of the Board to the Chief Executive and as appropriate to staff.
The Chair will act as an ambassador for the charity, managing links into wider networks in partnership with the Chief Executive and other Trustees.
What difference will you make?
The social pressures of COVID have put the needs of those with learning disability further down the agenda nationally. You will be helping to keep their voice heard and enabling a local charity to take an even more active role in supporting them. There is an opportunity for the new Chair to appoint further trustees in the short-term.
How to apply
Please send a comprehensive CV with your full name and contact details (including an e-mail address) to trustees@hfmencap.org by April 4th 2022 at the latest, together with a supporting statement setting out why you are for applying for this role and how you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification in the full role description, posted on the HF Mencap web-site here: Chair Of The Board Of Trustees – Vacancy – HF Mencap
Please also supply the names and contact details of two references (who will only be contacted if you reach final interview stage).
Please note that you will require DBS clearance to fulfil this role.
If you are interested in an informal discussion prior to applying, please e-mail trustees@hfmencap.org to arrange a call.
A few more details
We encourage people living with disability to apply. Please let us know if you live with any disability and/or if you require any special provision should you be called for an interview.
Do you have what it takes? Click here
Could you be the next Chair of the Governance Code? The deadline for applying has been extended to 6 December, so get a move on if you’re thinking of applying! Find out more.
Civil Society have reported there are currently 150 RSPCA branches, which carry out most of the direct animal welfare duties such as running rehoming centres, neutering, veterinary and microchipping services in local areas. However, RSPCA’s campaign notes that occasionally ‘a branch may fall into national administration and need some extra help’. Find out more here.
We are looking for residents who have lived experience of Safeguarding to join an exciting new initiative called the London Voices Group.
The group aims to bring together people with lived experience of safeguarding from each local authority to join the regional London Voices Group tapping into and sharing local approaches. The London Safeguarding Adult Board has commissioned Healthwatch Kingston to coordinate the group to ensure its work is co-produced moving forwards.
This exciting role requires:
- Two years commitment to the role
- Attendance at monthly virtual regional meetings
If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact Shazia Deen Head of Safeguarding for Adults at shazia.deen@lbhf.gov.uk.
IntoUniversity is an educational organisation and you can find out more about the variety of educational programmes we offer here. As an organisation we have local community centres all over the UK, including one centre on Greyhound Road in Hammersmith.
Academic Support
At the centre we offer weekly academic support students to children in the local area who are from less advantaged backgrounds. These sessions are curriculum-based learning for primary students and a homework club for secondary students.
Volunteers
We are currently recruiting for volunteers from the local area to support us with Academic Support. Volunteers can be of all ages and all backgrounds. The more the merrier!
Timings
We would be looking for volunteers to start in October with the new academic year. Timings as follows:
- Monday and Thursday, 3.45-5.45pm- Secondary Academic Support
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 3.15-5.15pm – Primary Academic Support
Individuals can volunteer for one or more sessions as they please.
Please contact emily.raisin@intouniversity.org/, or call 020 7381 1637.
We are currently recruiting for volunteers from the local area to support us with Academic Support. Volunteers can be of all ages and all backgrounds. The more the merrier! As such, I was wondering if I would be able to advertise this opportunity through your platform to local residents?
Timings
We would be looking for volunteers to start in October with the new academic year. Timings as follows:
- Monday and Thursday, 3.45-5.45pm- Secondary Academic Support
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 3.15-5.15pm – Primary Academic Support
Bishop Creighton House (BCH), established in 1908, runs projects for older and disabled people and families with children under five.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we continue to offer vital services for the most vulnerable, promoting their independence: from enabling people to make friendships, develop their interests and find work; to helping them feel safe and secure at home, avoiding residential care.
We want to recruit more trustees. Trustees, who are volunteers, meet ten times per year. We have well advanced plans to redevelop our popular community centre, on Lillie Road in Fulham, with building work due to begin in early 2021, so it’s an exciting time to become a trustee.
We are particularly interested in applications from the diverse range of groups we are here to help, including those from BAME populations and the LGBTQ+ community. As an organisation that embraces diversity and accessibility, BCH is committed to promoting an organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do.
As well as ensuring we are a diverse board, we are interested in people who have skills and experience in any of the following: charities; social work; education; disabilities; fundraising; business and finance; building development.
Above all, you will need a commitment to social justice and improving the lives of disadvantaged people in H & F and surrounding areas.
If you are interested, please email Lee Smith, chair of the board of trustees, enclosing a CV or a brief summary of your experience and skills: lee.smith@kingsmithcare.co.uk
For more information, see our website: www.creightonhouse.org
HF Mencap are looking for a proactive and compassionate volunteer who can make a difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities.
To share an interest or hobby with people in our service. Organise and support people with learning disabilities in activities such as yoga class, arts group, cooking class, wellbeing therapies, literacy support, or even sharing a coffee morning.
To support people with learning disabilities in their social and health care needs as required, always with supervision.
To work as part of a team, and closely with families, friends, advocates of the people you are supporting.
To work within the policies and procedures of HF Mencap and follow instructions as determined by senior support staff and your line manager.
Time commitment: Minimum of one day per week, 7 hours.
We are looking for a minimum commitment of 1 day a week, although this may vary depending on the right candidate and additional availability. We would welcome more days, where possible.
Applicants can send their CV to: priyanka.kunwar@hfmencap.org
