Classification: Public

Headway Surrey - Help us ‘Dare to Dream’ Role: Trustees

About the opportunityHeadway Surrey provides cognitive rehabilitation, support and services for those affected by brain injury in Surrey. Established in 1994, we are at an exciting moment in our history, with a new Chair starting in October 2019, celebrating 10 years in our HQ and looking ahead to what we can aspire to achieve in the next 10 years. We are looking for enthusiastic people who can help us to shape this plan for the future to ensure that people living with brain injury in our area reach their maximum potential.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) can be sudden and devastating for an individual and those around them. There are no ‘typical’ clients - we support people of all ages who have acquired injuries in their many and varied circumstances. This might be participating in sports such as cycling or horse riding, they may have suffered a stroke, have been assaulted, or have simply fallen downstairs, for example.

We provide a comprehensive range of bespoke cognitive rehabilitation sessions at Headway Surrey, one-to-one support, group sessions, community visits at home, hospital liaison visits, a befriending scheme, helpline, monthly Drop-In Days, family support and education.

Specialist Rehabilitation Coordinators with Accredited Certificates in Brain Injury Studies from Northampton University provide one-to-one support to enable development of new neural pathways to enable those with brain injury to live well, independently and to their best ability.

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Classification: Public

As Trustee you will help us to set the strategic direction and fundraising priorities of the charity, ensure that we function within the Legal and Regulatory framework of the sector and make the best possible impact on the lives of those living and working with brain injury.

What are we looking for?

Due to retirement we are seeking to recruit 2-3 enthusiastic new Trustees.

The Trustee role is a voluntary position, open to all applicants.

We are particularly looking for Trustees who can help us to ensure that our Board is as diverse as the local community that it serves.

Suitable for individuals who are looking to gain Board-level experience or expand their understanding of governance and strategy in a charity context.

We are particularly looking to expand the following skills areas on our Board:

o Financial background - Treasurer roleo Marketing and communications, particularly social mediao IT/technology knowledgeo HR or personnel experienceo Brain Injury Professional/medical expertiseo CCG experience / Adult Social Care Experience particularly fundingo Experience of working on either grant applications or community fundraisingo Lived experience of acquired brain injury, either personally or as a carer or

relative

Able to attend 9 short early evening meetings (17.30-18.30) per annum at Headway House, Guildford GU2 9PU.

Trustees should also be able to commit to attending occasional fundraising events and/or visit client events from time to time.

Trustees are appointed for a five-year term of office.

To apply: Please send a C.V. and covering letter indicating why you are interested in this opportunity, and what you would bring to the role to CEO Sonja Freebody sonja@headwaysurrey.org Application deadline: 17th Sept 2019, interviews 4th October

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Classification: Public

Trustee Role description

Overall PurposeThe Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. Headway Surrey is a Registered Charity (Number 1046863) and Company Limited by Guarantee (Number 02991672) and Trustees are therefore governed by both Charity and Company regulations but have a limited liability of £1.

Prospective Trustees must be over 18, DBS checked or prepared to undergo DBS checks, and not disqualified from acting as trustee or company director.

Time Commitment Attending 9 Board Meetings, typically 17.30-18.30, at Headway House, Guildford

GU2 9PU. Reading background papers before board meetings (approx. 1 hour per meeting). Occasional attendance at fundraising events (maybe evenings or weekends). Minimum one visit per year to clients’ events such as regular workshop, or annual

client celebration event. Occasional participation in Board sub-committees such as the Property sub-

committee or recruitment sub-committee. Occasional opportunity for Trustee to take on a lead role within the Board of

Trustees for an aspect of Headway Surrey's work, liaising with staff, representing the organisation externally if appropriate, and reporting back to the Board regularly.

Ideal Qualities

Trustees should:

Have a commitment to Headway Surrey and its aims. Have a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. Possess good judgement and independence of mind. Show a willingness to work collectively as part of a group. Seek constructive debate and dialogue over confrontation. Have or seek to develop relevant contacts and networking skills. Knowledge of or interest in the voluntary sector, or of current health and social

services developments would be an advantage.

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Classification: Public

Specific Skills Requirements – one or more of the following are required:

o Financial background - Treasurer roleo Marketing and communications, particularly social mediao IT/technology knowledgeo HR or personnel experienceo Brain Injury Professional/medical expertiseo CCG experience / Adult Social Care Experience particularly fundingo Experience of working on either grant applications or community fundraisingo Lived experience of acquired brain injury, either personally or as carer or

relative.

Main Trustee Responsibilities

Determine Mission and Strategy – setting the charity’s direction and determining how it will get there. We ‘dare to dream’ for the future.

Accountability – being held to account for the actions of the charity and holding those who carry out the work to account. Ensuring that the charity and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector and in line with the organisations’ governing document, continually striving for best practice in governance.

Safeguard assets – acting as custodian of the assets, tangible (money, etc) and intangible (organisation’s reputation and name), ensuring that assets are used appropriately and constitutionally. Ensuring that there are sufficient assets for the organisations survival. Upholding the fiduciary duty to maintain sound financial management of the charity’s resources, undertaking such duties in a way continually striving for best practice in governance that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity.

Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society.

Act as ‘boundary-spanner’ – linking the charity to its stakeholders, such as service recipients, the wider community, NHS and Social Services, etc. Acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.

To be a pool of expertise and advice to the CEO and staff in overseeing the implementation of the work of the charity.

Ensure good functioning of the Board – ensuring Board renewal (recruitment, induction and retirement), effective decision making and information sharing processes, positive group dynamics, and reflection, learning and development for the committee as necessary.

Supporting staff in securing funding and enabling Headway Surrey to meet its aims within the constraints on resources.

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Classification: Public

Main Trustee Duties

Conduct

Trustees must:

Be active – you cannot be a dormant or ‘sleeping’ Trustee, you are still liable for the decisions the others make in your absence.

Strive to attend all Board meetings, and contribute to discussions and decision-making, or feed in comments via e mail.

Act in the interests of the beneficiaries – put yourself in the beneficiaries’ position and make decisions that are best for them.

Act reasonably and honestly. Have a duty of care – act prudently and reasonably. Not benefit personally and avoid conflict of interest. Understand and be committed to Headway Surrey’s policies, aims and values. participate in training and strategy meetings from time to time.

Support for Trustee Development

Trustees receive a full induction, are supported by training and offered a ‘buddy’ Trustee if required. In addition, the organisation will support attendance at training if required.

All new Trustees will meet with the CEO and Chairman on a one to one basis and receive regular one-to-one sessions with the Chairman throughout their period of appointment.

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Classification: Public

Background about Headway Surrey

Operating from a ground floor custom built, fully accessible Resource Centre in North Road, Guildford, our specialist Rehabilitation Team provide a comprehensive range of services at the centre and in the community.

We support adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) to live well with their brain injury and optimise their cognitive rehabilitation recovery. We support ABI survivors to become independent and re-enable them to their maximum level.

We support families, carers, employers and others connected with the survivor with education, advice and support. We raise awareness of brain injury and our services with the general public.

Headway Surrey is an independent registered charity and company limited by guarantee established in 1985, which is affiliated to Headway UK, the national brain injury association.

Headway Surrey currently employs 8 members of staff (F/T equivalent 6) and is supported by a team of 20 to 30 volunteers, including our Trustees. We were honoured to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017.

Our work is based on cognitive rehabilitation but encompasses a comprehensive spread of subjects affecting brain injury survivors, their families and carers. Our current main services are:

Resource Centre - Individuals are offered cognitive strategies and exercises in order to maximise their independent living skills. Areas covered include memory, executive skills and life skills, and computer and information processing sessions. Clients are also supported on a wide range of social welfare issues - including housing, employment and personal resource management in areas such as personalisation budgets, housing and disability benefits.

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Classification: Public

Community Support - As well as focussing on cognitive rehabilitation, we promote greater community and social integration for individuals affected by brain injury either in their own homes, or other chosen environment. The individual is supported to access adult education, employment and volunteering and also with issues such as travel training, life and social skills and emotional support.

The Drop In - An informal monthly session set up to help alleviate social isolation encouraging clients to visit the centre with a view to attending sessions. The Drop In is held at Headway House on the first Friday of every month between the hours of 10.30am – 1.30pm and provides a great opportunity to talk to other brain-injury survivors and their carers.

Telephone Helpline and Website - Providing information and support to a wide range of individuals and organisations.

The Befriending Project - tackles problems of social isolation by matching volunteers with individuals affected by brain injury. Headway Surrey provides support in pursuing social activities such as simply enjoying a coffee, watching a football match, going for a walk or visiting the cinema or theatre, or having a regular chat on the phone

Carers’ & Family Support Services – A monthly support lunch for those who care for someone affected by brain injury. This is an opportunity to share experiences and a staff member is available to answer questions and provide information on carers’ rights.

Information and Promotional Service - aimed at promoting Headway Surrey’s services as well as being a voice for those affected by long-term neurological conditions. We continue to work in partnership with Surrey County Council Social Services Adult and Community Care Teams, NHS organisations and a wide range of voluntary sector and private organisations across Surrey and the surrounding areas including Stroke Pathways, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, Long Term Neurological Conditions Group and Surrey Charities Chief Executives Group.

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