Carers Leeds Trustee

About the volunteering opportunity

As a Trustee, you will play an important role in the leadership and governance of our charity, helping to ensure we remain focused on our purpose and make a positive difference for the people we support. Working collectively with other Trustees, you will provide strategic oversight, support and constructive challenge, help safeguard the charity’s finances and reputation, and ensure we meet our legal and regulatory responsibilities. You will bring your skills, experience and perspective to help shape our future direction and ensure the charity is well governed, sustainable and effective.

Charity trustees play an important role in making sure Carers Leeds is run in the best interest of carers. Should you join the Board, you would share responsibility with other trustees  for the governance of our organisation and oversee how it is managed.

Our Board of Trustees are responsible for:

• ensuring that the charity is run effectively and delivers its stated service 
• ensuring that the finances are sound and that the accounts are run properly  
• ensuring that Carers Leeds has the highest levels of governance and integrity 

Trustee Advert

Trustee Application Pack

About Carers Leeds

Established in 1996, Carers Leeds is a charity that provides information, advice and support to unpaid adult and parent carers across our city. This includes our Advice Line, carers support groups, one to one support and support in hospitals. Some of our services are universal – open to all carers – and some are targeted at specific groups of carers. Our services are provided to all communities throughout Leeds. We work in partnership with others to deliver our service and to influence them to act to benefit unpaid carers. This involves those working in health and social care and employers. We use what unpaid carers tell us about their experiences and what matters to them, to help create change at a local and national level.

About Volunteering at Carers Leeds

Before completing your Volunteer Application Form, please read through our Volunteering FAQs below. You can also learn more about our Volunteering Selection Process. If you require the application in a different format, please get in touch:

Can I volunteer if I am a carer?

Yes of course! We welcome your knowledge and experience. We would try to find a volunteer role that fits around your caring responsibilities.

Can I volunteer if my caring role has come to an end?

Yes. Carers interested in volunteering for Carers Leeds will be expected to wait a minimum of 12 months following a significant bereavement, before being considered as a volunteer.

Will I be out of pocket?

No, travel expenses involved in volunteering will be reimbursed. For example, using your car to travel to your volunteering is currently reimbursed at 40p per mile.

Will I need to have a DBS check?

This depends on the volunteer role you are applying for. There are some roles which do require a DBS check and some which do not. If you do require a DBS check, this is provided by Carers Leeds.

Will I receive training for my volunteer role?

Yes, all volunteers have an induction to Carers Leeds and then specific training related to their role for example listening skills or how to support a carer.

Can I volunteer with Carers Leeds if I am claiming Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance?

Yes, if you are receiving certain benefits, you are still allowed to volunteer. However, there are some rules that you need to be aware of to make sure that your volunteering doesn’t have an impact on the benefits you receive and you must notify your benefits adviser that you want to become a volunteer.

What if I need to take a break from volunteering?

If your circumstances change, don’t feel you have to leave. Talk to your supervisor about your needs and we might be able to arrange for you to have a break from volunteering for a while. And we will be happy to welcome you back when you’re ready.

What happens if I am not happy in my volunteer role?

If you are not happy in your volunteer role talk to your supervisor about how you are feeling.  Your supervisor will explore how we can support you and/or what options are available if you are not happy.

What if I decide that volunteering at Carers Leeds isn’t for me?

All volunteers will be asked to complete a three-month trial period.  At the end of this time, you can decide not to continue with the arrangement for whatever reason.