Volunteer Trustee - Chair

What will you be doing?

You will guide the organisation in its mission to help adults learn to read, ensuring that it operates efficiently and sustainably while delivering a profound impact on individuals’ lives.   

Lead the Board of Trustees in providing strategic oversight and effective governance, ensuring compliance with the charity’s constitution, legal, and regulatory obligations Ensure the charity stays true to its mission of helping adults learn to read and that all activities align with its vision, values, and strategic objectivesFoster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and accountability within the Board

Function as the primary link between the Board and the CEO, offering guidance, support, and constructive challenge  

Essential Skills and Attributes A strong passion for helping adults learn to read and a commitment to the charity’smission Experience as a Trustee Proven leadership experience in governance, strategy, or organisational management Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills Ability to lead, inspire, and manage a diverse group of Trustees and stakeholders Experience in chairing meetings and fostering inclusive, productive discussions Knowledge of charity governance and the role of Trustees in the UK

What are we looking for?

Essential

A strong passion for helping adults learn to read and a commitment to the charity’smission Experience as a Trustee Proven leadership experience in governance, strategy, or organisational management Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills Ability to lead, inspire, and manage a diverse group of Trustees and stakeholders Experience in chairing meetings and fostering inclusive, productive discussions Knowledge of charity governance and the role of Trustees in the UK

Desirable

Experience in the education, literacy or nonprofit sectors  Experience of working with a large and dispersed team of volunteers A background in fundraising, advocacy, or financial oversight Established networks in philanthropy, education, or related fields

What difference will you make?

You will work closely with the Board, CEO and Senior Team to advance its vision of ensuring that all adults who want to learn to read, can. We help adults to transform their lives by learning to read. We do this by developing local groups and training volunteers to provide personalised, one-to-one coaching that is free and confidential, both in-person and online. Since we started in 2010, we have coached thousands of Readers, empowering them to overcome barriers and unlock opportunities. Our impact has grown dramatically, and we now have almost 100 local groups and 2,000 trained volunteers helping Readers throughout England. Readers talk about how their lives have been transformed here: readeasy.org.uk/ success-stories/.