Combat Stress – Trustee

***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***

Trustees required for the UK’s leading veteran’s mental health charity

Combat Stress is the UK’s largest and leading mental health charity for veterans of the UK Armed Forces, providing free specialist evidence based trauma treatment and support to former servicemen and women as well as members of the Reserve Forces across the UK with mental health conditions.

We treat conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety. We provide a range of free services including short-stay clinical treatment, a specialist PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme, Occupational Therapy, Community support and a free 24-hour Helpline. The most important resource of Combat Stress, to help deliver the strategic aims, is its people, which includes the governance and leadership provided by the Board of Trustees.

Combat Stress will be marking our Centenary in May 2019. We have had more than 2,000 referrals in the last year – our work is as vital today as it was after the First World War when the charity was founded.

During the past few years, there has been significant change at Combat Stress.  Our Chief Executive, Sue Freeth, joined the charity in January 2016 and two new directors joined this January following an executive management restructure.  We are tackling the challenges that many charities face, a struggle to raise funds to meet increasing demand, and will be shortly launching a new strategic plan which details our goals and direction for the next five years.

Combat Stress is a registered charity in England and Wales, and Scotland, as well as a company registered in the UK.  We are a member of Cobseo.

The Trustee role

Combat Stress is led by its Board of Trustees who are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity.  Being a Combat Stress Trustee is a rewarding, influential and valuable role and you will help make an important contribution to our current work and future direction.

We are looking over the coming year for new Trustees with a background and expertise in the following areas: marketing; communications and digital media; human resources; financial management and investment; property; clinical governance and fundraising.

Person specification

  • A demonstrable commitment to Combat Stress’ vision, mission and values.
  • Credibility in your area of work and personal gravitas to help lead a major charitable organisation to deliver a sustainable future.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship building abilities.
  • A military background, and previous trustee experience, is welcomed but not essential.

Knowledge and skills 

  • Understanding of the role of a Trustee and how Trustees can interact with Combat Stress’ Executive Team to best effect.
  • Proven relevant experience in your area.
  • Experience of operating strategically at a board level or of leadership and management of organisations and networks.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills.
  • Experience of acting as an organisation ambassador.

Time and commitment

The initial term of office is three years, with scope for reappointment, and during a typical year, we would expect a minimum commitment of about 12 days, of which 8 would be on fixed dates.

Meetings are usually held in London and there are four Board meetings per year plus four Committee meetings, each lasting a half day.  We also appreciate Trustees attending occasional events to support the charity.  Trustees are asked to provide support and advice when appropriate to the Chairman and CEO.

The Trustee role is unpaid but reasonable expenses are paid for attendance at meetings and other charity activities.   We will provide an induction at one of our sites and there is the opportunity to undertake further training related to your role.

To apply

If you would like to talk to someone about the Trustee opportunities, please contact in the first instance Sue Freeth, Chief Executive, on 01372 587111.  If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV with a covering letter to the Chairman, Lieutenant General AJN Graham, at Combat Stress, Tyrwhitt House, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 0BX.

Closing date: 5pm 24 July 2017

Interviews: TBC in London or Leatherhead, Surrey

Our Executive Members

By @Cobseo 55 years ago

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