Job Description
Becoming A Trustee with Young Identity
youngidentity.org
Our new Trustees may come from many walks of life and we do not require prior board-level experience. At this time, we are particularly keen to hear from candidates who can help to build the charity's infrastructure with: finance or accountancy, law, human resources and people management, income generation, commercial fundraising, marketing and communications, as well as those with experience in the education sector or working with young people.
Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate some of the following qualities:
- Sound judgement and strategic thinking ability balanced by an openness to listening to others and to new ideas
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the organisation
- Understanding or experience of the arts and/or education and a belief in the transformative power of poetry and performance
- An enthusiasm for arts charity work and the confidence and willingness to advocate our mission.
All Trustees will be offered an induction. The role offers the opportunity to learn about governance and what it takes to run an arts organisation and achieve its objectives. Alongside experienced individuals, we also want to recruit a young trustee who would be willing to take up a governance role for the first time, someone who is willing to be mentored, so that we can offer tailored support and training as required.
All Trustees will have the opportunity to attend Young Identity writing workshops, training, and events to experience Young Identity's unique delivery of poetry and performance.
Our current board is a diverse mix of trustees with backgrounds in: economics, law, psychology, education, counselling, young people's arts production, community engagement and creative business development. The current board brings a wealth of knowledge, both specialist and general, as well as invaluable perspectives and lived experience ranging from the local, national and international. However, we also need to actively manage changes to the board as the terms of current trustees come to an end. We strive to do this in a systematic and organised way to ensure both continuity, stability as well as the development and progression of Young Identity.
The Role and Responsibilities of Trustees
Trustees are expected to:
- Commit to the responsibilities of the role, including attending and contributing to Board meetings, contributing to sub-committee work and representing Young Identity at events and meetings with key stakeholders.
- Contribute to the governance and strategic direction of Young Identity, ensuring it achieves its mission and objectives.
- Ensure, alongside your fellow Trustees, that the charity's a ff airs are conducted to the highest standards and with appropriate governance and risk management procedures.
- Be an ambassador for the charity, spreading the word about Young Identity and its work by attending events, using their experience and knowledge to support the development of the organisation.
Terms of Appointment
- Expenses - This is a voluntary role and is unremunerated, although reasonable expenses can be claimed
- Meetings - The Board meets 4-6 times a year; this includes an annual strategic planning away day
- Length of Service - Trustees are appointed by the Board on a three-year term with the option to renew for one further term. There is some flexibility on the length of term for those aged 18 - 30.
- Eligibility - Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and be legally eligible to serve as Board Member/Chair or Trustee of a charity. You must not:
- Have an unspent conviction for an o ff ence involving dishonesty or deception
- Be declared bankrupt or be subject to bankruptcy restrictions
- Have an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) with a creditor
- Been removed or disqualified as a company director or charity trustee because of wrongdoing Be disqualified or barred from acting as a trustee under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
Being a Chair
The Chair will hold the Board and Leadership Team to account for the Charity's mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. They will focus the board on strategic matters, prioritising long-term goals and planning and holding the organisation accountable to its stakeholders. The Chair will line manage the Co-Directors and act as an ambassador for the Charity.
The Chair will need to have experience of or be skilled in most of the following areas:
- Chairing meetings, facilitating discussion and decision-making
- Strategic leadership and governance; ideally in the arts, culture or charity sectors
- Managing people, communications and understanding human dynamics, maintaining relationships with funders, partners and stakeholders
- Emotional intelligence; ability to provide appropriate support to senior staff
- Managing financial resources
- External relations and advocacy, including networking, philanthropy and fundraising
The above list is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Chair will be expected to perform duties that are reasonably commensurate with the role.
The Role and Responsibilities of Chair
Our chair is expected to:
Governance
- Lead the board in setting the strategic direction of the charity and approving the annual budget and plan.
- Ensure that the trustee board annually reviews its structure, effectiveness, delegations and key policies and implements agreed changes as necessary.
- Ensure trustee awareness and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including the requirements in their constitution and Charity Commission guidance on trustee roles and responsibilities (CC3).
- Maintain high standards of governance as set out in the Charity Governance code, fostering transparency and ensuring the charity holds itself accountable to its stakeholders.
- Work closely with the Co-Directors to establish a positive culture and hold the board and sta ff team accountable. Build a strong, positive and respectful relationship with staff , volunteers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
- Act as the Board's delegated representative to conduct Young Identity's annual appraisal, ensuring they are supported, constructively challenged and held to account for delivering the charity's strategy, through 1:1s Lead on the appraisal and development of trustees
Board meetings
- Ensure that the trustee board functions effectively, meetings are run inclusively and the board carries out its duties.
- Liaise with the staff team to arrange Trustee meetings, set agendas and chair meetings.
- Monitoring the agreed actions from board meetings to ensure that decisions are implemented properly and in a timely manner.
External
- Act as an ambassador for the charity, representing its interests and values to stakeholders.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter of no more than 500 words, telling us why you want to be a Trustee of the board Chair to . If you prefer, you can send a video of up to 2 minutes instead of the accompanying letter. We are committed to accessibility and inclusion. If you require any adjustments or other accommodations or support during the application or interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
Application Deadline: 6 April 2026
Interviews: 20 - 21 April 2026
Confirmations: 23 April 2026
Observe Board Meeting: 7 May 2026
Contact
There is no obligation, but if you would like to have a conversation with our Chair before applying, contact our Chair of our Trustees at
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, facilitators and volunteers to share this commitment, and we follow safer recruitment practices for all relevant roles, including the necessary pre-appointment checks. If you are appointed as a Young Identity Trustee we may require:
- Two satisfactory references
- A valid enhanced DBS check
Please also complete the Equal Opportunities Form , which will be separated from your application, before shortlisting.
Thank you for your interest in Young Identity.
