Volunteering Opportunity: Chair of the Board of Trustees with Barbara Bus Fund

The Barbara Bus Fund is a registered charity, which was set up in 1968 to help people who cannot get out or use public transport or an ordinary car, because they have a disability that necessitates full-time use of a wheelchair.

Today the BBF operates a fleet of 15 specially converted vehicles from Stanmore, Aylesbury and North Wales. The BBF is operated by a combination of paid and volunteer staff with head office at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: Hertsmere

Location: Indoor

Time of day: Weekday Afternoons, Weekday Evenings

Practical Considerations: The Barbara Bus Fund has a commitment and duty of care to safeguard all its users and assets. It is therefore necessary for the Chair to undertake an Enhanced DBS check. All Trustees, paid, and voluntary staff are subject to an initial then three-yearly DBS check, basic or enhanced, depending on their role.

Requirements: Relevant qualification or training, Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Suitable for: Aged 26 and over, Older People

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Trusteeship & Governance, Voluntary & Community Action

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: Yes

Full Description:
The role of Chair is a voluntary position with the requirement to commit to one to two days per month, attend online meetings every 6-8 weeks and the AGM.
The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees, chair committee meetings and the AGM.

Previous trustee / charity experience is required and the commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability,
openness, honesty and leadership.

Previous experience within the health / care / transport sectors will be a distinct advantage however, other relevant experience and the right attributes will also be considered.

The BBF holds an annual meal to thank the volunteers and staff, and there are other periodic meetings and events throughout the year.


Responsibilites and main duties:

● Provides strategic leadership to the Charity and the
Board, ensuring that the Barbara Bus Fund achieves its
mission.
● Plans and chairs board meetings and the AGM, with
others as appropriate.
● Provides a report in advance of each committee meeting.
● Provides an annual report in advance of the AGM.
● Leads the Board to ensure that it fulfils its responsibilities
for the correct and
proper governance of the Charity.
● Optimises the relationship between the Board and the
Barbara Bus Fund’s
staff and volunteers.
● Works in partnership with the Operations Manager and
staff team to achieve
BBF’s mission.
● Acts as a spokesperson and figurehead for the Barbara
Bus Fund.



What we are looking for:

● Experience of being a Trustee; you do not need to have
been a Chair before,
but previous experience of chairing committee meetings
is desirable.
● A keen sense of strategic purpose.
● An inclusive leadership style with the ability to inspire, and
support everyone
to participate equally.
● Be able to listen and engage effectively; you are
comfortable with challenge
and debate, able to encourage that in others whilst
fostering a collaborative
board environment.
● Advocate - be able and willing to champion the Barbara
Bus Fund’s work
through personal networks, social media, and other
channels.
● A strong personal commitment to equality, diversity, and
inclusion.
● Be responsive. As a small charity, things sometimes ‘come
up’ that will require
the Chair to advise, support or give consent to, and
occasionally by return.