Art Therapy Charity for Refugees seeks Trustees

New Art Studio is a unique therapeutic art studio in London, providing weekly group art therapy sessions for asylum seekers and refugees. We are seeking new Trustees to join us in supporting and monitoring the effective running of the charity as we become a more dynamic and structured organisation. We want to increase our board's diversity and welcome first time Trustees of all ages and backgrounds. We value lived experience and diversity to reflect the background of our members.

Our Trustees bring a range of skills, experience and commitment to supporting the charity's Co-Directors, volunteers and other staff, and work together to ensure that the charity's core activities, fundraising and public profile all meet the charity's stated aims and principles.

The role of the Trustee is voluntary, and currently Trustees give approximately six hours of their time per month to the New Art Studio, which includes attending meetings and working from home, plus occasional urgent matters, with opportunities for deeper involvement in relevant areas of the charity's work. Trustees attend four management committee meetings and up to two Trustee meetings per year - all take place in the evening, in north London and last approximately two hours. Reasonable travel expenses can be reimbursed.

Trustees work together on developing policy, organising and minuting meetings, recruiting and reviewing paid staff, supporting external events, managing finances, and taking an overview of fundraising and communications. Not all Trustees do everything, but everyone does something.

We are seeking people who are committed to supporting the important work of the New Art Studio, are able to work collaboratively and enjoy working as part of a team. We are prepared to adapt the process to be inclusive and to allow people with access needs to participate on an equal footing. We are looking for new Trustees who have some or any of the following experience, life skills and knowledge:

• Art therapy background
• Experience as a refugee or asylum seeker
• Psychotherapy background
• Management, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Fundraising, Educational, Artistic, Policy and Strategy experience

The statutory duties of all trustees include:

1. Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (pursuing the objects as defined in it), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
2. Maintaining financial control and ensuring that the organisation does not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are.
3. Contributing actively to the board of trustees in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
4. Ensuring financial stability of the organisation, protecting and managing any charity property and ensuring the proper investment of the charity's funds.
5. Drawing up and monitoring the implementation of internal policies which must include equality and diversity, safeguarding, as well as health and safety policies and key human resources policies, including grievance and disciplinary policies.
6. Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation and helping to maintain effective board performance.
7. Jointly with other trustees, holding the charity "in trust" for current and future beneficiaries.

If you think you would like to join the New Art Studio Trustee team, please send us your CV and a short covering letter (no more than one page), explaining why you are interested in joining us and what skills, experiences and perspectives you would bring to this role.