Award-winning youth charity Mentoring Plus is seeking new Trustees to join its Board, as existing members come to the end of their maximum nine-year tenure.

Since 1998 Mentoring Plus has been supporting children and young people struggling with education, family and emotional wellbeing. Every week our trained volunteer mentors, skilled professionals and youth workers reach over 150 young people across our region, offering time and space to get out of the house, pursue positive interests and reflect on the issues affecting them.

Young people tell us they feel happier, safer, more able to cope in the classroom and more confident about the future. Families appreciate better home relationships and direct support with school and accessing adult services. Schools report that students engage better with education, are more resilient and enjoy improved relationships, and staff are more able to understand individual needs and work alongside families to support them.

Based in Bath and working across Bath & NE Somerset and the surrounding region, Mentoring Plus has trebled in size in the last ten years and now has 22 staff and a turnover of £800,000. It holds two local authority commissions for mentoring services and has a growing paid service project as part of a diversified funding strategy.

Mentoring Plus has the opportunity to respond to growing need and make even more difference, and also the challenge of a donor environment still affected by the cost of living and competition for funds. As we drive forward, we’re looking for Trustees who feel aligned to our work and who are able to offer time, knowledge and compassionate challenge across its whole operation.

We currently seek a Trustee able to offer expertise in child safeguarding. Please note that this is an advisory role and all day to day aspects of this work are covered by staff.

We hope to recruit at least one younger Board member willing to advocate for the voice of our young people, but welcome applications from individuals of all ages.

Minoritised and marginalised communities are currently under-represented on our Board, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds to represent our diverse service users.

Our Trustees devolve day to day management of the organisation to the executive team, but aim to offer scrutiny, insight and constructive contribution to shape strategy and respond to opportunities.

As a community charity, we rely on contacts and introductions to potential supporters, volunteers or businesses in our region and beyond, so this is a key requirement of Board members. We also ask Trustees to help with hosting events connecting with our community and raising funds from time to time.

All new Trustees have a careful induction process and support to ensure they feel able to access information and contribute to discussions. The Board meets for about two hours at least every two months, in person or online, and corresponds with the executive team regularly in between. Pre-agreed expenses can be claimed.

Safer Recruitment procedures will be followed including an enhanced DBS check and employment references taken and verified.

Mentoring Plus is committed to maximising inclusion irrespective of age, gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, background, life experiences, disabilities, learning difficulties, lifestyle, beliefs etc, provided that individuals are able to meet the requirements of the role with appropriate support. We operate a strict equal opportunities policy for both adults and young people. Our central Bath premises have parking and are wheelchair accessible.

For an informal conversation about the charity and Trustee roles, please call CEO Ruth Keily on 01225 429694.

To apply, please go to https://mentoringplus.net/about-us/join-the-team. Download and read the role description, and complete the application form to which a link is provided. Submission details are in the form.

We aim to recruit over the course of 2024 and will advertise this opportunity until the roles are filled.