Overview
To strengthen the Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) charity’s governance and impact by providing oversight and leadership in policy development, implementation, and review, ensuring MHF operates within robust frameworks that support its mission and long-term sustainability.
What difference will you make?
- Have an opportunity to help improve the lives of vulnerable children, young people and adults (8-35yrs) living with muscular dystrophy, and their families
- Contribute to the governance of our small national charity, specifically ensuring that policies are not only fit-for-purpose but also ensuring in identifying whether there have been any developments and/or guidance that board members need to be aware of
- Identify whether there are any changes to existing policies, procedures and work practices needed by the charity as it moves into its 23rd year of operation
- While MHF procures its training needs for example for new trustees from the NSPCC Learning platform, you will help find any additional training needs to ensure we continues to support our community in the best possible way
- Have strategic responsibility for a specific skill area, in this case policy management, working with and wherever possible supporting the CEO
- Where appropriate and more broadly, act as an storyteller / advocate in passionately promoting the charity’s work
- Receive induction, support and training
- Have an opportunity to bring your lived experience, in using (and further developing) your skills for the benefit of others
- Be a part of the team that will help the charity work toward achieving its new mission
- Informed by our Feb 2025 Stakeholder Validation Review, 2026 is an exciting time for this small family-centred charity as it looks to stay relevant but also true to its core values
- In the coming financial year commencing 1 March 2026 and in honouring the organisational history, the charity is hoping to embark on a future-proofing conversation that will undoubtedly require intentionality, an investment of time, shared ownership and shared endeavour, a process that we anticipate our trustees and wider stakeholder community will be involved with
What are we looking for?
Over and above a FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF in the cause, our ideal trustee will possess the following as listed below
Skills Needed (essential)
- Values Alignment
- Time Commitment
- Caring / Empathetic Disposition
- Team Player
- Good Communication Skills
You will bring enthusiasm, understanding and a passion for our work, underpinned by a genuine desire to want to make a difference to the lives of our beneficiary community.
Person Specification
- Experience in policy development, policy management, or governance within the charity, public, or regulated sectors
- Good understanding of compliance, risk, and accountability frameworks
- Ability to translate sometimes complex requirements into clear, workable policy
- Strategic thinker with sound judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge
- Commitment to the mission and values of the Muscle Help Foundation charity
- Willingness to collaborate and contribute actively as part of a small, engaged Board
For this role, we are looking for a new trustee to take the lead to support, advise & guide the board on policies – as such, you will be the charity’s lead trustee for this area of expertise
Ideally, you will also be
Ideal attributes
- Commitment and time to dedicate to the role and responsibilities of being a Trustee
- An excellent communicator with listening, responding and interpersonal skills
- You will be able to both empower and challenge in both a compassionate and supportive manner
- You will have a strong commitment to equality and diversity
- Previous experience of working collaboratively as part of a team, using sound independent judgement and collective decision making
- The capacity to grasp issues outside personal experience and the ability to contribute to strategy development
- Commitment to equality and diversity in working relationships with other trustees, staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders
- Professional or relevant experience and knowledge and/or the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills needed to support the charity’s best interests
Hybrid
What will you be doing?
Key Responsibilities (in addition to the statutory duties of trusteeship)
- Lead the development, review, and continuous improvement of MHF’s policies and governance frameworks
- Ensure policies reflect best practice, regulatory requirements, and the evolving needs of the charity
- Support the Board with its risk register, further helping to embed strong risk management & compliance
- Provide oversight of key policy areas such as safeguarding, data protection, health & safety, grievance etc
- Help ensure policies are practical, proportionate, and effectively implemented across the MHF charity
- Contribute to conversations ref governance implications of new initiatives, partnerships, and funding opportunities
- Work with fellow trustees & the CEO to monitor policy effectiveness and recommend any improvements
- Contribute to strategic discussions, ensuring decisions are supported by sound governance and clear operational guidance
- Promote a culture of transparency, ethical practice, and continuous learning
MHF trustees provide strategic leadership in line with the charity’s objectives. As a trustee, you will represent the interests of all stakeholders & act as an ambassador.
As MHF moves closer to fulfilling it’s current 657 mission established in March 2003 (likely to be realised in Q1/Q2 2026), the charity is looking to the future. The opportunity to support the establishment of the new mission but also join the conversation about future proofing the charity awaits.
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