S.M.I.L.E Counselling is a leading children and young person’s counselling Charity currently based in Livingston. We are now looking for a Treasurer to join our team. This is a voluntary position.

As a Treasurer at S.M.I.L.E. Counselling, your responsibilities will be:

• Fulfilling the duties of a trustee of a Scottish charitable company

• Keeping the accounts; completing and recording financial transactions

• Financial Reporting: keeping the Board and the membership informed of the financial position of the Charity

As such the treasurer should have an understanding of financial matters and be committed to the aims and objectives of the Charity.

Time commitment -: Approximately 3-6 hours per month including attending monthly Board meeting.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed along with membership of the Employee Assistance Scheme.

Our charity has been involved in the prevention of suicide and promotion of better mental health for just over three years. Prior to formally being incorporated as a SCIO, a smaller association ran for several years dealing primarily with suicide prevention. Our charity is a facilitator-led peer to peer support group trying to get people to talk about suicide in the hope that talking about the subject can help with feelings of isolation and hopelessness and ultimately prevent suicides from taking place. Initially our charity ran a group for men as there were a number of suicides in the town, and it was felt this was where there was most need for more openness on the subject. Subsequently a women’s group was also formed, and we now have several other groups running weekly.

More recently we have been running events and classes to promote better mental wellbeing in an effort to promote mental health and reduce suicidal thoughts. We also provide training in mental health first aid to local groups and individuals to give others the skills needed to help those suffering with poor mental health.

The Board is seeking to recruit new Trustees to the Board. We are particularly interested to hear from those with relevant experience with mental health and suicide prevention or third sector working. Trustees with expertise and experience in different aspects of our work, including health and social care, human resources, and finance, as well as people with experience of using mental health services play a key part in leading our charity forward.

Our board tries to meet monthly, but this can occasionally be less. Meetings usually last around 2 hours and are held at our premises. Meetings can also be attended virtually as happened during the pandemic.

Responsibility

Trustees are responsible to the Board. Each Trustee must meet the Charitable Trustee Legal Duty (OSCR).

Training

Trustees will be offered induction and access to other training or learning relevant to the role. Suicide prevention training includes, safeTALK, ASIST and Scottish mental health first aid.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can contribute and reach their full potential regardless of individual characteristics or circumstances. We welcome Board member applications from all suitable candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, religion, or belief.

Since launching in 2021, Covid Aid has reached thousands of people across the UK with support, advice, and information. We have built an award winning digital community with over 1400 members. The Charity has recently received some funding from the Scottish Government, which will enable growth and direct services to our Long Covid Community in Scotland.

At the moment there are more than 2 million people around the UK who have been living with Long Covid, with families and loved ones also dealing with the deaths of more than 200,000 people. With rates still high, these numbers will continue to Grow, with media attention elsewhere the fight for support for our Long Covid Community is more important than ever.

With the growth of our digital community in mind we are seeking a Digital Support and Services Manager. The person we are looking for will have an understanding of the Community North Star metric, and follow the SPACES model. Our digital support platform will continue to allow users to speak to each other and provide peer support, whilst in addition creating a community of interest groups, courses, webinars and other therapeutic sessions and courses. Through promotion of groups, courses, and events on our other digital channels we will reach our monthly audience, meaning that we can provide support to an ever-increasing and diverse audience of individuals who have been significantly impacted by Covid-19.

The role is 15 hours a week and the hourly rate is £17, we would expect that this would be worked over several days but this can be flexible to incorporate other commitments. This will include short regular meetings with the Executive Director as well as a fortnightly meeting with volunteers and colleagues.

The initial contract length is for three months, rolling on a monthly basis monthly after this. (With covid aid or the freelancers to provide a notice period of one month prior to departing role.) We hope that the flexible nature of this role will attract a candidate that can start as soon as is practical.

Would you like to join our board?

We are looking for new trustees to help LifeCare in its great work supporting local older people.

LifeCare is at an exciting stage in its development and we are looking for Trustees who will passionately inform our services bringing new skills and experience to help lead the organisation.

We are particularly (but not exclusively) interested in individuals with experience in the following fields:

• Health and Social Care
• Finance
• Fundraising
• Marketing and Digital Innovation
• Hospitality

Most of all, we are looking for people with lived experience of care, or as an unpaid carer, to help strengthen our capacity to better embed the voice of the people who use our services at Board level.

Can you help us? We are looking for people who share our values, that are passionate and committed about supporting local older people, who can be creative in building our profile and work closely with our team and stakeholders to deliver outstanding person-centred services to our clients.

The Board usually meets in the evenings (either in-person or via Zoom). The role is non-remunerated however reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and training / ongoing support will be provided. If you have any questions or would like a quick chat to find out more, please contact our chair beverleyfrancis@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk.