About Us

Apex Scotland is a national charity and supports people who have experienced the justice system or are at risk of doing so, is recruiting a number of trustees who understand the role and importance of governance in the Third Sector. We are looking for people who act with integrity, compassion, honesty, and who are passionate about our work and the role of the Third Sector.

Apex Scotland supports individuals to develop skills, resilience and confidence that enables them to make positive choices to improve their personal outcomes. We understand our participants require support that is person-centred, recognising their own individual, unique needs and circumstances.

Our work is delivered by specialist, dedicated staff in various locations across Scotland who adopt a trauma informed approach putting participants at the heart of their decision making. We are proud of the impact we have and believe our work makes a meaningful, genuine and positive difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our society.

The Role

Following the appointment of a new CEO in July 2023 and the restructuring of the Senior Leadership Team at the start of 2024 Apex Scotland is embarking on a period of positive change to support the development of the charity, reposition the organisation and focus on strategic priorities.

As a Trustee you will have a key role in leading these developments and overseeing the implementation of our strategic plan.

Ideally you will have a deep understanding of the issues impacting those who have experienced the justice service and the stigma they face. You will also have an understanding of the current challenges being faced by the Third Sector. It is useful, but not necessary, to have experience of being a Trustee as training and support will be offered.

We are looking for people with the following skills and experience from throughout Scotland.

• Justice services
• Community engagement
• Fundraising
• Human Resources and staff development
• Compliance and mitigating risk
• Marketing and communications
• Lived experience of the justice system

Are you passionate about the importance of green spaces within our communities? Do you have an interest in gardening? Do you have the knowledge, skills and experience to lead an organisation that is playing an important role within the community? This year Amisfield Preservation Trust (Amisfield Walled Garden) celebrates its 25th year anniversary. We are looking to recruit a new Chair who can lead the organisation forward to the next stage in its development.

About Amisfield Preservation Trust

Amisfield Preservation Trust provides a regenerative community space (Amisfield Walled Garden) just outside of Haddington for a wide range of groups. The project is volunteer led. Since project inception, volunteers have recreated a beautiful, historic and peaceful 8 acre walled garden which had fallen into disrepair. The project helps improve the life chances of those most vulnerable in our community, through support for individuals with barriers to employment; drives inclusion through involving volunteers with a range of additional support needs; promotes learning through educational activities for school groups with their teachers, and for the general public through a variety of training events; helps the community to flourish through increased social connection and regenerative activities that improve mental and physical wellbeing and resilience and help increase pride in the local community and place. Amisfield Walled Garden is a beautiful, tranquil garden. We are a 3 star Visit Scotland attraction which is open to the public (free of charge) for 6 days in the week.

We are looking for a volunteer Chair to lead the Amisfield Preservation Trust, the small charity that looks after the garden. The role involves working with our volunteer Board of Directors, Volunteer Coordinator, Wellbeing and Outreach worker and garden volunteers to ensure that the garden continues to play an important and much-loved role at the heart of the local community.

The qualities and experience we’re looking for in our new Chair are:

• An enthusiasm for gardening (whether amateur or professional)
• Great leadership skills
• A real sense of community, with great networks across the county or a willingness to create them
• Knowledge or experience of the voluntary/charitable sector
• Somebody comfortable with being the public face of the garden
• Ideally somebody based locally in East Lothian or willing to travel to Haddington.

Chair Role Description

Specific duties:

• Organising and Chairing monthly Amisfield Preservation Trust Board meetings
• Promoting good governance amongst fellow Board members and ensuring activity is in line with the garden’s charitable purposes
• Leading the Board in planning and coordinating a programme of garden developments and improvements
• Leading the Board in planning and coordinating a range of community events
• Working with fellow Board members to support and manage the garden’s two employees.
• Contributing to regular communications to the garden’s volunteers, supporters and stakeholders across email, the website and social media
• Being a key contact for the garden for stakeholders, funders and donors, including East Lothian Council
• Working with fellow Board members to compile applications for funding and collate impact reports to funders
• Representing the garden in the local media and with stakeholders across East Lothian

There are currently 8 members of the Board. The Chair role will be for a term of three years, with an initial probationary period of six months.

The Scottish Fisheries Museum is seeking a new Chair and Trustees to shape and guide the organisation’s future direction. We are looking for people who are committed to using their expertise and networks in support of our charitable objectives and goals.

Located in Anstruther, the Scottish Fisheries Museum was founded in 1969, to collect, record and interpret the history of the fishing industry in Scotland. The company which operates the museum is a registered charity, and the museum has expanded to occupy several adjacent properties. The charity holds over 65,000 artefacts, including historic fishing vessels and two currently operational vessels, recognised as a collection of national significance.

We are particularly looking for :

• Financial experience, either in the charity or commercial sector – ideally a mixture of both
• Experience of developing effective media and communications – as manager or user
• Senior operational experience in a museum or third sector organisation
• Experience of effective fundraising and successful grant applications/projects
• Experience of charity governance and/or legal experience
• Experience of working with volunteers

More information

As company Directors and charity Trustees, the Board is responsible for leadership, direction, and oversight to a small team of nineteen, mostly part time, paid staff, plus significant volunteer support, which is vitally important to the museum.

The museum has come through the difficult Covid and post Covid period, but there are undoubtedly ongoing challenges. We are looking for new Trustees, including a new Chair, to lead the organisation over the next few years. We are looking to develop our resilience, combining our local context and commitment with the perspective that comes from a nationally recognised collection, presenting an industry that continues to be of national significance.

Trustees are not remunerated but can recover expenses. Trustees have carried a heavy load recently but are aiming to move to a more regular and less demanding schedule of formal Board meetings approx. every two months, alternating between on-site and remote meetings. Trustees also contribute by serving on committees such as the Resources Committee and any ad hoc commitments including correspondence. The aim is for an annual commitment of 12-15 days.

Principal Responsibilities

The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for the Charity’s mission and vision, providing strong leadership to the Board of Trustees to ensure that the Board functions as a unit, and that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.

The Chair will develop and maintain a supportive and constructive relationship with the Chief Executive, working together to provide a clear strategic direction for the Charity, regularly reviewing and mitigating risk and ensuring financial accountability.

The Chair will act as an ambassador for and representative of the charity when required.

Personal Qualities

• Strong leadership and relationship building skills

• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively

• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the Charity

Experience/Skills

• Experience of strategic leadership

• Experience of charity governance and/or as part of a Board of Trustees, including familiarity with chairing meetings

• Financial management expertise

• Broad knowledge of the mental health sector