Appointment and timescales
- The term of office is three years with the possibility of a further three-year term.
Location, time commitment and expenses
- This role is home-based but will require regular travel across the UK and Ireland
- This post is voluntary and unpaid but all out of pocket expenses related to the role will be reimbursed in line with Samaritans’ volunteer expenses policy.
- Set meetings include attendance at four Board of Trustee meetings each year, two Board away days, At least 2 Regional Council meetings annually, the annual meeting of Council of Samaritans and the Annual General Meeting. Regular meetings with the CEO and Vice Chair. Additional attendance at committees of the Board may also be necessary.
- Including meeting time and preparation for meetings, commitment is envisaged to be in the region of 6 days per month, but may vary significantly depending on candidate.
- There will be additional demand upon appointment for induction and to conduct a shadowing period with the outgoing Chair of Trustees (up to 6 months).
- In order to balance commitments of board members, meetings are mix of in-person and videoconference and split between weekends and weekdays including evenings.
Recruitment and selection process
- Applications will be reviewed to determine that candidates meet the person criteria and essential qualities and experience for the role before any invite to interview.
- References will be requested and taken up.
- Because of the nature of our work, we carry out criminal record checks, bankruptcy checks and we check the removed trustee list and the register of disqualified directors. Find out more here.
- In order that we can best deliver supportive challenge through our governance framework, certain roles in our volunteer management structure are ineligible to stand as trustee until the end of their term, if you have any questions as to whether this is applicable to you, then please do let us know.
Samaritans recognises the enormous benefits and social justice imperatives of a diverse organisation at every level. We actively and warmly encourage applications from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.