Ascendance is a Dance for Health charity based in Leeds, Bradford and across Yorkshire. They work mainly with people with Parkinson's, people with other neurological conditions, and older people.
Ascendance is run by a team of paid employees, freelancers and volunteers. The team answers to the board of trustees, who are all volunteers.
Their income comes mainly from grants and trusts, with restricted and unrestricted funds running side by side, and we report to several funders each year. They want a trustee who can lead the board's understanding of all this, so the rest can make decisions with a clear picture of where they stand.
You do not need a background in the arts to apply. They are interested in people who can read a set of accounts, ask useful questions, and help the board make sound financial decisions.
Trustees set the direction of the charity and make sure it stays true to its purpose.
As a trustee you would:
- Help set Ascendance's strategy and direction alongside the rest of the board
- Make sure Ascendance stays within its charitable aims, the law and its governing document
- Oversee the charity's finances, and make sure money is spent in line with funders' terms
- Support the staff team and hold it to account
- Act in the charity's best interests at all times
The finance trustee role
As the finance trustee you would lead the board's understanding of Ascendance's money. You would not run the day to day bookkeeping, the team and [bookkeeper/accountant] handle that, but you would make sure the board has the information it needs and understands it.
In practice you would:
- Report on the charity's financial position to the board at each meeting
- Work with the team to review budgets, management accounts and cashflow
- Help present the annual accounts and support the independent examination
- Advise the board on financial risk, reserves, and the finances behind new projects and funding bids
- Make sure financial controls are in place and followed
- Explain financial information in plain language to trustees who do not have a finance background
What they are looking for
They want to hear from anyone who shares their values and wants to help them improve the health and wellbeing of older adults and people with movement conditions. For this role they are looking for someone with finance skills, whether those come from paid work, voluntary roles, or running an organisation or business.
Finance experience that would help
- A finance, accountancy or bookkeeping background, whether qualified or qualified by experience
- Experience of charity or not for profit finance, including restricted and unrestricted funds
- Experience of budgets, management accounts, cashflow forecasting or financial reporting
- Experience of grant funding, including reporting to funders
- The ability to explain financial information in plain language
They would also welcome
- Experience of working in or creating disability-led arts
- Experience of working with young people
- Experience of empowering communities and bringing people together
- Broad professional networks in Leeds or Yorkshire, in community arts or local business
They do not expect one person to have all of this. They want people from all backgrounds, communities and experiences to be part of Ascendance, both in how the charity is run and in the stories they tell. They know many people are not sure what being a trustee involves. If you have not been on a board before, please do not let that put you off, and please get in touch if you would like to talk it through.
Time commitment
- The board meets 4 times a year, [online and in Leeds]
- Meetings last around 2 hours
- As finance trustee you would spend a little extra time reviewing accounts before meetings and speaking with the team in sub groups where required.
- Trustees are appointed for a minimum term of 2 years
- The role is voluntary and unpaid, and they cover reasonable expenses, including travel
What you would get from it
- A direct part in shaping a growing charity
- The chance to use your finance skills for a cause you care about
- Experience of charity governance, useful if you are building towards a board career
- A friendly, committed board and team to work alongside
To apply: Send a short covering email and your CV to classes@ascendance.org.uk. Tell them about yourself, your finance experience, and why you would like to join the board. If you would prefer to talk first, call 07933 685359 or email to arrange a time.