Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. That’s why we work tirelessly to reach more people and make suicide prevention a priority.
With over 20,000 volunteers, Samaritans supports those who need us most 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Through 201 branches across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland, we provide our telephone listening service, as well as support via email, letter, face to face, and we will soon launch an online chat service. We are an important, influential voice across the UK and Ireland on issues relating to suicide prevention, through our proactive and far-reaching research, campaigns, and policy agenda. We also build alliances and meaningful partnerships across society to help achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide.
Samaritans are seeking a trustee with a background in safeguarding and/or quality assurance who will work with the trustee board to ensure Samaritans provides a safe service, protects our beneficiaries and continuously strives to improve service quality. As a Trustee of Samaritans Central Charity, you will be helping to promote and develop Samaritans, ensuring we remain accessible, relevant, available, sustainable and consistently driven to delivering our mission and vision.
The successful applicant will bring senior experience and knowledge with which to lead Samaritans and provide effective support and challenge to the Board of Trustees and Service & Quality Committee. Candidates will bring executive or board-level experience along with energy, passion and a deep commitment to Samaritans, its mission and its values.
Samaritans is wholly committed to equal opportunities for all and we actively and warmly encourage applications from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
About the Role
Term: Trustees are usually appointed for three years, with the possibility of a second three-year term.
Location: The role is home-based and may involve some travel within the UK and ROI. As a minimum, attendance is required at four Board of Trustee meetings each year, up to two Board away days, two Regional Council meetings and the annual meeting of Council of Samaritans. Meetings will be held either in person or by videoconference.
Remuneration: The role is voluntary.
To apply
Interested applicants are to return a copy of your CV with a cover letter to governance@samaritans.org by Wednesday 14 October containing a personal statement how they meet the experience, knowledge and skills set out in the role description. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview by video conference w/c on or after Saturday 24 October.
Please include details of three referees with any application.
