Trustee

About Allsorts Youth Project

Allsorts Youth Project listens to, supports & connects children & young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (LGBT+). 

Founded in 1999 by Jess Wood MBE and James Newton, Allsorts Youth Project has now been delivering LGBT+ youth services for over two decades.

As an LGBT+ youth charity, we have celebrated every step of the way, adapting to the changing times whilst acknowledging that there is still so much more to do.

What will you be doing?

Trustees play a vital role in the life of Allsorts. It is their job to support the project and hold it to account, ensuring the children and young people feel safe, listened to and supported, whilst they continue to explore, grow and feel more confident with their sexuality and/or gender identity.

Our board are developing a new governance framework and strategic plan this year, in close consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.  The new framework and plan will enable the project to continue to support LGBT+ children and young people to be the best, most authentic, proud and confident version of themselves that they can be.  Allsorts continues to develop it services in Brighton and Hove, whilst continuing to grow and seek new opportunities in other parts of Sussex and beyond. The strategic direction is informed by the strategic plan, which is itself based on a variety of measures and information such as requests for and feedback from training, sustainable funding and most importantly, feedback from the children and young people who access the project.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for positive advocates for the project, who represent the children and young people with energy and enthusiasm. Understanding the unique contribution a small charity, with an ever widening reach can make to the confidence and opportunities of children and young people to understand themselves and how they fit into their place in the world, will ensure the long-term future of Allsorts.

Enquiring, strategic, reflective and thoughtful minds are welcome. Sharing and exploring ideas and strategies is an essential part of trusteeship and an ability to think long, medium and short term is key. At Allsorts our ambition is for Trustees to be outstanding. We expect Trustees to be self enquiring of better practice, and to have high expectations of themselves and others. We are looking for team players who will enjoy working with other Trustees, the CEO, staff team and volunteers. Most importantly, we are looking for people who demand the best for the children and young people who use Allsorts. Trustees are often asked to consider many different factors in their decision making, but must always put the long-term welfare of the children and young people at the heart of everything we do.

We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has skills in the areas of finance and HR. We warmly welcome Trustees from a range of cultures, backgrounds, contexts, age and experience. We are currently under-represented on the Board by people of colour and those who do not identify as cisgender. We strongly value the contribution that people with these characteristics will bring to our board discussions.

What difference will you make?

The best part of being a Trustee is seeing how your contribution has helped the children and young people who use the project, flourish. You will feel a deep sense of pride and satisfaction watching those who access the project’s services develop in confidence and a feeling of authenticity, as they find their way in a seemingly more critical world. You will be welcomed to a team who are ambitious for Allsorts and you will be encouraged to reflect and understand the impact you have on the wide range of support the project offers to children and young people, as well as their families. There will be opportunities to use and develop skills you already have and develop new ones.

Commitment:

Four board meetings a year and eight mini board meetings a year, please see the pack for more details.

How to apply:

Reach Volunteering's TrusteeWorks team are supporting Allsorts with their Board recruitment.

Please send a CV/ LinkedIn profile or similar and a brief expression of interest to Reach's TrusteeWorks team via the email address provided. You will then be invited to have an informal chat with the CEO and Trustee Recruitment Lead.

Successful candidates will be provided an induction, training and ongoing buddy support Allsorts are very happy to speak with anyone who might be interested in the role but has any questions. Please get in touch.

We warmly invite you to have a chat with our CEO or Recruitment Lead Trustee by attending one of our scheduled online Q&A sessions, which will run from 6-7pm on both 22nd and 24th November.