Opportunity to shadow Smallwood Board member.
The Smallwood Trust is committed to exploring new ways to help bring equality, diversity and inclusion into all of our work to support our goal of ending gendered poverty.
Having recently increased the skills, perspective and diversity of the Board by appointing two new members (read more here), the Trust would now like to offer the opportunity for two individuals to shadow Ambreen Shah, one of our new recruits, as she embarks upon her first Board role.
Ambreen has said the following about this opportunity: “Smallwood awards grants to support women who are living in poverty, suffer mental ill health, are in abusive relationships, are digitally excluded or all of the above (and this list is far from exhaustive). I think if you have personally been affected by these issues, you will bring a perspective to decision making that others, who have not, just cannot; but I am also aware that the opportunity, confidence and headspace to be a trustee can be really limited. This is why I wanted to provide an opportunity for someone to shadow me as I embark on my first Trustee position; to provide an opportunity to gain confidence, and for us to learn the ropes together. Experience that I hope we will both benefit from and will provide you with a springboard to further opportunities.”
The first shadowing opportunity would run April to September 2021 and the second, October 2021 to March 2022*. The position would suit someone who would like to learn more about the role of a Board member (read about our board here) and the work of a grant-making trust. No prior experience of a Board or trustee role is required and we encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and with lived experience of poverty to apply.
Opportunities would include:
- Regular briefings, conversations and insights with Ambreen
- Observing Smallwood Board meetings and/or sub-committees
- Chance to meet the CEO and the team to learn more about the grant-making process
- Access to briefings and discussions
- Opportunities to contribute ideas and thoughts to discussions
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email our CEO, Paul Carbury (paulcarbury@smallwoodtrust.org.uk) to briefly tell us about yourself and why you would like to take this opportunity. Deadline: 26th February 2021.
The Trust would reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses and a small training/personal development budget would be available.
We will also accept nominations from women’s sector organisations but please speak to the nominee to ask their agreement first. Ambreen and Paul would also be happy to talk to anyone in advance who might be interested, please email in the first instance.
*Depending on coronavirus restrictions shadowing will take place online and we will review this as and when restrictions are lifted.