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

Who are we?

Operating since 2004, now in our 20^th year of operation, Break the Silence is a registered charity in Scotland and a Company Limited by Guarantee. We make a profound and positive difference in the lives of those affected by childhood sexual trauma, their partners and family members. We support all genders, age 13+ across East and North Ayrshire.

We offer a professional counselling service, accredited by British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (one of only 3 accredited organisations in Scotland) and were recently awarded Ayrshire Chamber’s prestigious Business Excellence Award 2024.

The Board meets quarterly online and recently due to two trustees reaching their full term of service we now have vacancies for two people to support the existing Board and staff team in evolving the charity further.

About you

The charity welcomes applicants that reflect the diversity of the community we serve. We value the diversity of opinion, thought and experience that a new board member can bring.

The appointment may appeal to someone wishing to volunteer as a trustee for the first time, or to an experienced trustee seeking a new challenge. A full induction will be provided and will include training in trauma and safeguarding.

It is important to Break the Silence that potential candidates share our values of being compassionate and collaborative, effective and knowledgeable in supporting those affected by childhood sexual trauma and supports the Charity’s vision to influence and inform within the sector. We strive to be a Centre of Excellence for our service users and all our stakeholders.

Like all third sector trustee appointments the post is unremunerated.

Disclosure is required for this post at our expense.

About us

At Sound Lab, we believe ‘music matters’ and that music and creativity should not just be available for those who can readily access and afford it; it should be available to everyone.

Our vision is that, irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity or economic background, everyone should have equal access to the resources and support they need to fulfil their creative potential. We work to overcome barriers that can prevent people accessing opportunities in music by providing expert music-making education and mentoring support. We focus on children and young people who often do not receive the same opportunities as their peers, specifically care experienced young people; children with disabilities; and young people from an unaccompanied, asylum-seeking or refugee background.

In recent years, in a challenging external funding context, we are proud to have carefully maintained a steady growth as a small charity. We have recently recruited a fantastic new staff team who are taking our programmes and operations to the next level, and helping to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for our programmes.

We are recruiting for a new treasurer to help steward and maintain our financial good health at this exciting point in our journey. This is a voluntary role with travel and other subsistence expenses paid.

Role Summary

The Treasurer will help to monitor and steward the financial position of The Sound Lab, maintain processes to ensure financial stability and ensure that the Board of Trustees fulfils its duties in safeguarding the sound financial health of the charity. Detailed responsibilities can be found overleaf.

Who Should Apply?

You do not need to be an accountant, but it would help if you like working with numbers.

You do not need to be a musician, but it helps if you love music!

We would welcome candidates with previous Treasurer experience, however, would be happy to support the development of someone who is earlier in their career and hoping to gain further knowledge and skills. This extends to offering any training and support to develop in the role.

You come to Sound Lab at a point of financial health and with effective financial processes in place, proportionate to a charity of our size; however, we always look for continuous improvement, and an exciting facet of the role is looking proactively to continuously improve our financial infrastructure.

You will form a key part of a small board of trustees who, alongside the staff team, help to maintain and foster a culture of support and care for everyone involved with Sound Lab. We believe in the power music can have in people’s lives. If you share that belief, we’d love to hear from you.

Our current Treasurer is also happy to support your induction and walk-through of our financial systems. This role is expected to take 2-3 hours per week when the Treasurer is fully inducted.

Detailed Responsibilities:

• Oversight and strategic guardianship of Sound Lab’s legal and financial integrity

• Reporting to the Board of Trustees on issues of cash-flow, forecasting and the overall management of Sound Lab’s financial resources

• Preparation and approval of payment runs in conjunction with the Programme & Development Manager

• Lead on ensuring all Sound Lab’s strategic plans are financially appraised and budgets are aligned to both short-term and long-term objectives each year.

• Keeping accurate financial records and invoice management.

• Use of Bank of Scotland online platform for payment runs and updating account signatories as required

• Assisting in the preparation of grant funding applications on an ad-hoc basis.

• Ensure our annual accounts and report are prepared and submitted to OSCR on a timely basis

• Liaise with an external examiner in relation to the annual preparation of our financial accounts

• Develop and maintain reserves policy to safeguard the organisation’s finances, ensuring the board are kept informed of the position regularly and given financial forecasting advice

• Understand Sound Lab’s business plan for and support the Board of Trustees and other volunteers to help achieve its aims

• Attend six Board meetings per annum, or as required.

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support museums and galleries throughout Scotland , through strategic investment, workforce development, advice, and advocacy.

We are currently looking for a new Chair with substantial experience of charity governance and experience of working with the Scottish Government. The ideal candidate will act as a passionate advocate for Scotland’s museums and galleries and lead our Board in supporting MGS to effectively develop and champion Scotland’s museums and galleries sector. The role involves leading the Board in its responsibilities in setting the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring it is financially and operationally robust. The Chair works closely with the CEO and supports her and MGS staff in applying its resources responsibly in pursuit of MGS’ objectives.

We would like to hear from candidates who have a track record of leadership, operating at board level in the public, or voluntary sectors. Candidates should have strong corporate governance experience, including charity governance, with an understanding of the Scottish political environment and experience engaging with government. Candidates should also have a commitment and appreciation of the importance of museums and galleries as integral institutions of Scotland’s cultural sector.

For further information on the role including more about MGS, key responsibilities and person specification please download the candidate information pack.

This post is unremunerated and reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Initial three-year term with option to extend for a further three years.

See the role on our website.