Trustee

Role Title: Trustee

Reports to: Chair of Trustees

Terms of Appointment: Voluntary, unpaid role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Location and time commitment: Board meetings are held 4 times a year, 2 are hosted online and 2 in person. Face to face meetings is typically held in Oxfordshire or London or Southampton. You will need to attend these 4 meetings each year, plus provide ad-hoc support as desired or required. 

Purpose of the Role: We are seeking 2 passionate and committed individuals to join our Board of Trustees. With our board and executive team, you will ensure brainstrust is carrying out its work for the public benefit and you will be engaged in the planning and review of the charity’s work on a regular basis.

Brainstrust’s - Mission and Work

• Every two hours, someone is diagnosed with a brain tumour in England.
• In the UK, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour.
• Only 12% of brain tumour patients survive beyond five years of their diagnosis.
• Brain tumours are the chief cause of cancer deaths in children and young people.
• Brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
• Brain tumours deaths are rising, representing 2.6% of all deaths from cancer.
• Incidences of and deaths from brain tumours are increasing.

A brain tumour diagnosis brings significant challenges to the patient and those around them. People find they can’t walk; they can’t talk; they can’t see; they can’t hear; they can no longer drive, and they can no longer work. Treatment is harmful and remains unchanged in 20+ years. Neurological fatigue is debilitating, and behaviour and personality change makes family life even harder.

There is a vibrant eco-system of charities, clinicians, companies and campaigners that are working to address these issues, of which brainstrust is proud to be an instigator and collaborator.

Brainstrust exists to empower everyone in the UK affected by a brain tumour to have the best possible quality of life.

Our community has told us that this is possible with:

• Engagement with care and condition.
• Reduced isolation.
• A supportive community.
• The tools to take control.
• Knowing who to turn to for support.

With this compass, we provide personal support via a coaching model to patients and their loved ones. We embrace depth and detail of need in our service, and as such can deliver innovative programmes to meet these needs. We advocate collaboratively for change with patient voice. We work tirelessly to improve lives in this community. We also fundraise relentlessly to fund this work.

We are entering an exciting new chapter. brainstrust is well-positioned for growth. With a dedicated team, robust financial reserves, and about to commence a new strategic period, we aim to deepen our impact, reach more people, and ensure long-term sustainability. To achieve this, we need passionate and skilled trustees who share our vision and values.

As a trustee, you will play a vital role in ensuring brainstrust’s governance is strong and effective. You will help shape our strategic direction, oversee financial and organisational sustainability, and ensure we remain true to our mission.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Governance and Strategic Oversight:

• Act as a member of the Board, ensuring brainstrust remains compliant with its legal and regulatory obligations.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the charity, with a focus on sustainability and growth.
• Support and challenge the executive team appropriately and where necessary to ensure the charity’s objectives are met.

2. Advocacy and Networking:

• Act as an ambassador for Brainstrust, raising awareness of our work and mission.
• Attend relevant events to represent Brainstrust and foster new connections.

3. Board Engagement:

• Attend and contribute to quarterly Board meetings.
• Collaborate with other Trustees and the senior leadership team to support the development and execution of brainstrust’s strategic goals.
• Provide mentorship and support to the executive team where appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential:

• A commitment to the values and mission of Brainstrust.
• Good self-awareness.
• Willingness to devote time and effort to the Trustee role, including attendance at meetings and events.

Desirable:

• Previous experience as a Trustee or non-executive director.
• Knowledge of brain tumour or cancer support and/or health or education sectors, or experience with health-related charities.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to join.us@brainstrust.org.uk

Selection Process

Familiarisation conversations will take place online via zoom or teams calls in February and March and will take place whilst the application window is open.

The deadline for applications is 12 noon on the 21^{st of} February 2025.

Proceedable applications will be progressed to formal interview in late March, with appointments made at the May meeting of our Trustees.

Diversity and Inclusion

We recognise that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are essential to driving innovation and making meaningful impact. We are committed to building a Board fit for the communities we serve and reserve the right to consider applicants from all walks of life. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply, as we value the unique insights and contributions that diversity brings to our organisation.