Volunteer TRUSTEES REQUIRED FOR A LOCAL FRIENDLY ESTABLISHED CHARITY

What will you be doing?

ASCA wishes to recruit more trustees to help us address our key challenge of being a small charity - we need to continue to diversify our income and widen our influence. We are keen to hear from people with a broad range of diverse skills, backgrounds and transferable skills which will enrich and add value to the charity.     ASCA is a small local charity and passionate about providing early intervention and preventative services to people who wish to address their alcohol, drug and mental health issues and the family members, carers and affected others. ASCA is the only charity in the LB of Richmond upon Thames providing short, medium and long term counselling, without our services more people will struggle to cope with poor mental health and physical wellbeing.   As a trustee, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the charity's mission and ensuring its continued success.

What are we looking for?

 Each trustee must have:

a commitment to the vision and aims of ASCA   willingness to meet the minimum time requirement 4-6 meetings per annum integrity strategic vision good, independent judgement an ability to think creatively a willingness to speak their mind an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of ASCA.

Ideally, a trustee should also have one or more of the following:

Understanding of the impact of alcohol, drug and mental health on people’s lives either through personal or professional connections, or be willing to learn about this; Prior experience of committee/trustee work; Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by ASCA (advice, information, support groups, health and wellbeing, counselling, support, training and awareness-raising) and/or income generation for a small charity, and Leadership skills.

The board of trustees collectively needs skills and experience in the following areas;

financial management fundraising voluntary sector  the needs of people affected by a chronic health condition (especially alcohol, drugs and mental health) marketing, social media and websites digital human resource management volunteering management collaborative partnerships.

What difference will you make?

Person Specification: What difference you will make Based in Richmond upon Thames ASCA is a small local independent organisation providing services to the local community and surrounding areas. ASCA is a friendly and caring charity run by a committed and enthusiastic team of people who want to enhance the lives of those with alcohol, drug, underlying mental health issues, and their families, carers and friends. We aim to reduce social isolation and the shame and guilt associated with alcohol, drugs and mental health ASCA provides a range of confidential services including assessments, advice and information by telephone and face to face, education and signposting, one to one counselling, structured group programmes, peer support and coffee mornings in a safe and engaging environment. We also provide respite opportunities for carers and family members to take care of their own mental and physical wellbeing.  Furthermore, we provide volunteering opportunities which provide a range of transferable skills, help build self confidence and support people into work and/or further education