Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Hi, I am the Treasurer of the Patchworking Garden Project, a small charity based in Pixham, Dorking. After a long and enjoyable time, I wish to move on. The project needs you ! What is the Garden and what goes on there? We support around 60 volunteers who enjoy a weekly gardening or crafts session at our walled garden in Pixham, Dorking. Our Academy (City and Guilds accredited) works with a further 10 students, firstly to boost their confidence then get qualifications and hopefully lead to work in horticulture. How big is it? Our budget is around £50,000 a year. Size-wise we have around 70 helpers plus those who come to the Garden. We have amazing community support and engagement and have enjoyed strong financial backing from the various grant awarding bodies. How do the finances work? The financial records and processes work well with low transaction volumes. Xero tracks our NatWest accounts, whilst receipts and invoices are filed on our Google drive that is also used to run the operational side of the Charity. On the finance side, Xero Reports have been written for quick and easy feedback to our budget holders, Trustees, Independent Examiner and the Charity Commission. Our finance assistant visits the Garden regularly and manages most payments, expense claims and their filing, so that our records are complete. The books and processes are in good shape! Time Commitment (always the big question!) The time commitment is around 2 hours a week, often less, but more each quarter end and year end. Volumes of transaction and emails are low, but regular communication is needed with the Trustees and Management Team. The budget and re forecast are discussed at the quarterly Trustee Meetings. The Trustees are a friendly group who work well together. Get in touch if you could be interested The Garden takes you to another world where special work is done. Our ethos of "Be Kind, Gentle and Non Judgemental" can be seen in action. Working with other committed people to a worthwhile goal has been very rewarding for me. You would instantly find that too. Thanks Dan Our website and the job description can be found here:

Overview What will you be doing? Becoming a trustee at Diverse Academies Trust is an opportunity to help shape the future of education for children and young people across our communities. Our Board brings together people with a broad mix of professional expertise from strategic leadership and finance to governance, compliance and HR, each contributing to our mission of inspiring, raising aspirations and creating brighter tomorrows. We are now seeking several new trustees who can bring fresh thinking, professional insight and lived experience to complement the strengths of our current Board. As a multi-academy trust serving primary, secondary and specialist settings, our work is varied and impactful, with trustees playing a crucial role in ensuring clarity of strategic direction, holding leaders to account, and supporting the wellbeing and progress of over a thousand students. The past few years have presented the education sector with complex challenges, including sustained financial pressures, the need for strong workforce development, and ongoing recovery from the wider social effects on children and families. As we continue to strengthen our trust and support our academies, we are looking for trustees who can help us both navigate and anticipate future challenges, ensuring we continue to offer high-quality education and opportunities for all. Training, support and induction are provided, and you do not need previous board experience, what matters most is your commitment to our values. We empower. We respect. We care. These principles shape the way we work, relate to our communities, and deliver our mission. You will be joining a welcoming, collaborative and professional Board who share a deep commitment to improving the life chances of young people. Trustees also have the opportunity to visit academies, engage directly with staff and students, and see firsthand how strategic decisions translate into positive impact. We particularly welcome individuals with skills in human resources, education, finance, risk management and leadership, but we are also keen to hear from applicants with other relevant strengths. A diversity of thought, background and experience enriches Board discussion and strengthens our governance. If you want a meaningful volunteer role where your contribution directly supports children's futures, this is a rewarding and valued opportunity to make a difference. What we look for We are looking for trustees who share our commitment to improving the lives of children and young people, and who can bring constructive challenge, strategic thinking and a willingness to learn. You do not need previous board experience; we welcome individuals at all stages of their professional journey who can offer insight, curiosity and a desire to make a meaningful contribution. We value people who are collaborative, open minded and able to work respectfully and confidently within a team. Trustees should be comfortable engaging with complex information, asking thoughtful questions and bringing an objective, balanced perspective to decision-making. A commitment to our values We empower. We respect. We care. is essential. We are looking to strengthen our Board in several key areas and particularly welcome applications from individuals with expertise in: Human Resources, including workforce planning, wellbeing and organisational development Education, including school leadership, curriculum, SEND or safeguarding Finance and audit, including budgeting, financial governance and sustainability Risk management and compliance Strategic leadership, legal, corporate governance or organisational change However, we also welcome trustees with broader professional skills or community insight that can enrich our Board's understanding and effectiveness. Diversity of experience is vital in a trust serving varied and evolving communities. What matters most is your ability to think strategically, work well with others, and bring commitment, time and enthusiasm to the role. If you care about helping young people thrive and want to contribute in a purposeful, impactful way, we would be delighted to hear from you What difference will you make? Trustees play a vital role in shaping the educational experience and life chances of children and young people across our trust. By joining our Board, you will directly influence how our vision is delivered, helping to nurture curiosity, develop wellbeing and empower students to exceed their aspirations. Your insights and decisions will support strong leadership, robust governance and strategic clarity across multiple academies. This ensures that every school within the trust is well supported, well led and equipped to offer high quality teaching and learning. Trustees also bring external perspective, challenge and scrutiny, helping leaders make well informed decisions that secure sustainable improvement. Your contribution will help create the conditions in which children feel safe, supported and inspired. Whether reviewing risk, supporting workforce development, strengthening financial resilience or championing student voice, your involvement will shape outcomes that matter deeply to the communities we serve. Trustees frequently tell us that seeing the difference their role makes, from improved school performance to the confidence and success of students, is one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering. Your leadership, experience and decisions will help ensure that every child in our trust has the opportunity to flourish. Additional information You can download the following documents: Trustee advert 2026.docx Before you apply As part of our recruitment process, we offer prospective candidates the opportunity to join an informal online conversation with one of our trustees. This provides a relaxed space to discuss the role, expected time commitments, and any questions you may have before deciding whether to apply. Following this initial conversation, applicants are invited to complete an online application form. Suitable candidates will then be invited to meet with a small panel of trustees for an informal, face to face discussion. This meeting allows both you and the Board to explore your experience, interests and motivations in more depth, and to consider how your strengths align with the needs of the Trust.

A multi-academy trust in the United Kingdom is looking for new trustees to help shape the future of education for children and young people. This role requires strategic thinking, a commitment to values such as empowerment and respect, and the ability to navigate complex challenges facing the education sector. Previous board experience is not necessary, making this an accessible and impactful volunteer opportunity. Applicants from diverse professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply to enrich board discussions and governance.