About Us
Improving Lives is a Nottingham city based registered charity. We work together with people living with mental health issues in Nottingham and enable them to believe that life can change for the better. Our mission is to support adults to manage the challenges they face more effectively. We aim to achieve this by offering an individualised service to empower people to manage the challenges they face more effectively. As a result of this, Improving Lives will enable people who use the service to make positive changes in their lives and participate in their communities.
More information about our work can be found on our website
Your expertise will help support and shape the work and strategic direction of our organisation and help us achieve our purpose to improve the lives of the most vulnerable within the Nottingham City community.
Role Description
Prepare for Board Meetings by reading all Board Documents sent prior to the meeting
Provide legal guidance when required, to support CEO and Business Manager
Contribute to Improving Lives' review of Strategic Plan, as required
Review policies and give feedback during Board Meetings
Person Specification
The new Trustee should have the following background/experience:
Qualified legal professional
Ability to communicate and explain legal information to the Board and other stakeholders
Analytical and evaluation skills
Good communication and leadership skills
Dedicated to the organisation's cause and objectives
Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
The following are commitments we ask all of our Board Members to make:
Attend a minimum of 75% of Board Meetings
Ensure I read Board Meeting papers in advance of the relevant meeting
Contribute constructively
Deliver any actions I have agreed to
Contribute by putting forward items for the agenda where relevant and appropriate
Respect contributions from other Board Members and allow them to speak
Ensure I don't use acronyms or language that will make my contribution difficult to understand
Respect confidentiality of discussions that happen at the meeting
Act with integrity in the best interests of the organisation (adhere to the Nolan principles)
Support the CEO and Business Manager, as well as any other Improving Lives staff that are present
Sign up to Easyfundraising and other grant initiatives
Meet my obligations if I have an Honorary Post, such as Chair or Treasurer
Declare any conflicts of interest
Take corporate responsibility for decisions taken by the Board
We are fully committed to increasing the diversity of our board. Having a more diverse board will help us to understand better the needs of the communities we serve. To this end we would especially welcome applications from people from a variety of ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented on our board.
Time commitment for this voluntary post
The board meets six times a year at 5.30pm (usually on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday), at our Mansfield Road premises or on video call.
Prepare for board meetings by reading papers beforehand.
We estimate that the time commitment is around 2 hours a month.
How to apply
Please provide your CV and cover letter stating why you are interested in the role, how your skills and experience match the person specification and how you can add value to our board.
Please email your CV and cover letter to