Trustee vacancies available in community-based women’s charity
Women’s Health and Information Support Centre (WHISC)
Liverpool
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The Women’s Health and Information and Resource Centre (WHISC) has supported thousands of women across Merseyside in the last 38 years to improve their lives and overcome challenges. Could you help us plan for the next 38?
What will you be doing?
WHISC has been through a considerable period of change since the start of 2020, from changing the way we reach women through the pandemic, to updating some of the roles and responsibilities in our team. We are currently focusing on reviewing the services we offer and expanding the support we provide on wider health issues. Focusing on building partnerships, we work closely with a range of other agencies from across Liverpool and beyond to make sure women receive the best possible support for their needs.
We currently have 7 trustees, including a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary on our Board. We meet at least 4 times per year and alternate between face-to-face and virtual meetings, all held in the evening. Our trustees have a range of work, volunteering and life experience and we are keen to expand this. A diverse range of voices and experiences around the table helps us to be more representative of the women we support. It also improves our discussions and decision-making.
We work closely with WHISC’s Chief Executive Officer and the wider staff team. Being a small team means we have a good understanding of the opportunities, challenges and changes within our charity, and we can support planning and decision-making more effectively as a board.
Becoming a trustee is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the future direction of WHISC and the services we provide to women across the Liverpool city region. We are looking to recruit 4 to 5 trustees and are keen to diversify the range of voices on our board and would particularly welcome women from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, as well as those who identify as LGBTQ+.
We value all life, work and volunteering experience that our trustees bring to the board. All we ask is that you are committed to and passionate about supporting women. As a values-led charity, we would love to hear from people whose values are similar to those of WHISC.
It is important that we hold some key skills on our board to make sure we are operating effectively. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with skills and experience in the following areas:
- Human resources
- Communications and marketing
- Policy development
- Working in a health and care leadership role in Merseyside
If you don’t have experience in any of these areas, but still feel that you could make a difference to WHISC, we would still love to hear from you.
What are we looking
for?
We value all life, work and volunteering experience that our trustees bring to the board, including any direct experience of using WHISC services. All we ask is that you are committed to and passionate about supporting women. As a values-led charity, we would love to hear from people whose values are similar to those of WHISC.
It is important that we hold some key skills on our board to make sure we are operating effectively. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with skills and experience in the following areas:
- Human resources
- Communications and marketing
- Policy development
- Working in a health and care leadership role in Merseyside
If you don’t have experience in any of these areas, but still feel that you could make a difference to WHISC, we would still love to hear from you.
Personal skills and qualities
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
- Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
- A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
- Willingness to lead according to our values: empowering, supportive, open, responsive, safe.
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
- Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
What difference will you make?
As WHISC focuses on shaping our future, you will play a key role in setting the strategic direction of the charity in a way that improves our reach and diversifies our service offer. Trustees play a vital role at WHISC; as a small team we share the same values and vision for empowering and enabling women to improve their wellbeing and overcome life's challenges. Trustees provide vital expertise, experience and guidance in a way that helps us to realize this vision
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a passion and commitment for supporting women, to come together with likeminded colleagues to lead WHISC. Your leadership and commitment, along with that of your colleagues will ensure that WHISC continues to offer vital support and information to women who may experience barriers to accessing mainstream support.
Before you apply
To enable you to tell us about yourself in a way that works for you, we would like you to answer the following questions, using any of the following formats:
- Written (no more than 1,000 words)
- Video format (no more than 5 minutes)
- Audio recording (no more than 5 minutes)
- Why would you like to be a trustee?
- Why would you like to be involved with WHISC?
- What experience (lived or professional) and skills could you bring to the board?
Applicants will also need to submit a brief information form along with their personal statement, please see our website to access a copy or send us a request.
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