What We Do

The Southmead Project is a registered charity (1076617) that provides free counselling and support for survivors of abuse and addiction across Bristol and its surrounding areas. We support people who have experienced any type of abuse, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, domestic violence and neglect. Our clients are aged 18+ and of all genders.

We aim to give people a meaningful chance of recovery from past abuse through:

• Long-term counselling
• Nexus counselling (for survivors with an addiction to drugs or alcohol)
• Pre-counselling groups (to support clients on our waiting list)
• Active Recovery Project (weekly activities in the community, such as water sports and creative sessions)
• Family Support Group (for people affected by someone else’s addiction)

Our trustees share the overall responsibility for governing the charity, implementing its strategy, and managing its finances.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for enthusiastic and hands-on trustees to join our team. We will provide a full induction and training, so it isn’t necessary to have previous experience as a trustee. The successful candidate will be passionate about supporting our client group and helping people to recover from abuse through counselling and other therapeutic services. They will need to demonstrate a desire to work in a trauma-informed way and have an appreciation of how this approach may underpin the charity’s decision-making.

We also want to diversify our board and better represent the communities that we serve, so we particularly welcome applications from people of colour and minoritised communities, women, younger people, and those with lived experience of abuse and/or addiction.

What the Role Involves

As a trustee, you will support the Southmead Project’s Board and Leadership Team by providing strategic guidance, advice and financial accountability of the charity.

A trustee’s duties include:

• Attending trustee meetings for 2 hours a month in or near to the Southmead Project office or online (held on a Friday morning at 10am-12pm)
• Preparing for meetings in advance and actively participating in them
• Attending the charity’s AGM once a year
• Offering support and guidance via email in between meetings
• Making use of your skills and experience where appropriate, including attending ad hoc meetings or completing tasks when required
• Ensuring that the charity is financially accountable, that the board is acting in the charity’s best interests, and that it’s managing its resources responsibly

Why Volunteer For Us?

This is an opportunity to play an important part in the running of a charity that supports people who have experienced abuse. You will be working with a team of friendly, enthusiastic and hard-working people, who are all motivated to put the needs of survivors first and to prioritise the wellbeing of its staff.

We can provide:

• Induction and training
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
• Opportunities to develop a range of key skills
• Opportunities to influence the direction of the charity and make a meaningful difference to its staff and clients

If you would like further information about the charity, please visit our website at: www.southmeadproject.org.uk