Help shape a more inclusive future by joining the Board of Ruils Independent Living as a Disabled Trustee, using your experience, influence and leadership to champion independent living and Disability rights.
is a user-led charity dedicated to enabling Disabled people to live independently, exercise choice and control, and lead fulfilling lives. For more than 20 years, we have worked alongside Disabled people and their families, delivering high-quality services while championing lasting change through advocacy and campaigning.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we are seeking two Disabled Trustees to join our Board. These appointments offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to the governance and future direction of an ambitious, values-driven organisation, while helping ensure that the voices and experiences of Disabled people remain at the heart of decision-making.
We are particularly interested in Disabled individuals who bring strong networks, influence and credibility within their communities or professional spheres, alongside the ability to think strategically and contribute at Board level. We are also keen to hear from people with the potential and appetite to develop their leadership and, in time, take on wider leadership responsibilities within the Board. Whether you are an experienced Trustee or considering your first Board role, if you are passionate about Disability rights and creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you.
Who we are
Ruils Independent Living is an award-winning, user-led charity that has been empowering Disabled people, older people, those with long-term health and mental health conditions to live independently. Working across Richmond upon Thames, Wandsworth, Kingston, and Hounslow, we provide information, advice, advocacy, peer support and practical services that enable people to make informed choices and live the lives they choose.
Alongside delivering high-quality services, we are passionate advocates for Disability rights, using the voices, experiences and expertise of the people we support to influence local and national change. As a user-led organisation, lived experience is at the heart of everything we do, shaping our services, our campaigning and the decisions made by our Board. The active participation and leadership of Disabled people is fundamental to our identity and our future.
About the role
As a Disabled Trustee, you will play an important role in guiding the strategic direction of Ruils Independent Living, ensuring the charity continues to deliver meaningful impact for Disabled people and their families. Working collaboratively with fellow Trustees and the executive team, you will help oversee good governance, support sustainable growth and uphold the organisation’s values as a user-led charity.
These roles are also an opportunity to bring your influence, networks and connections to the work of Ruils. We are looking for Trustees who can act as credible ambassadors for the organisation, build relationships and help strengthen Ruils’ voice and reach within the communities and networks that matter to Disabled people.
We are particularly keen to appoint people with the potential and appetite to take on greater Board leadership responsibility in the future, as part of our longer-term succession planning. This does not need to be an immediate ambition, nor do you need to have held formal Board leadership roles previously. We are interested in individuals who have the potential to grow in confidence, influence and responsibility as a Trustee and, over time, play a leading role in the future development of the Board.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic oversight and helping shape the long-term direction of the charity.
- Supporting and constructively challenging the Chief Executive and senior leadership team.
- Ensuring strong governance, effective risk management and financial sustainability.
- Acting as an ambassador for Ruils, drawing on your networks and influence to build relationships, promote its mission and strengthen its voice.
- Contributing to one Board sub-committee and participating in key events, activities and opportunities to support the organisation’s work.
These are rewarding opportunities to make a lasting difference, using your lived experience, expertise, networks and influence to help Ruils continue to champion independence, inclusion and the rights of Disabled people.
Who we are looking for
We are specifically seeking Disabled individuals who share our commitment to disability rights, inclusion and independent living, and who are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of a growing, user-led charity. We recognise that Disabled people bring a wide range of experiences, perspectives and expertise, and we are keen to hear from people with different backgrounds and career journeys.
You don’t need previous Trustee experience. What matters most is that you can contribute sound judgement, strategic thinking and constructive challenge, and that you have the confidence or potential to develop your influence and leadership as a member of the Board.
We would particularly welcome candidates who can demonstrate:
- Lived experience of Disability and a strong personal commitment to disability rights, inclusion and independent living.
- The ability to think strategically, contribute to Board-level discussions and provide constructive support and challenge.
- Strong networks, relationships and influence within Disabled communities, relevant professional networks, local communities or other spheres where you can help raise Ruils’ profile and strengthen its connections.
- The confidence and credibility to act as an ambassador for Ruils, engaging with stakeholders and advocating for the organisation’s mission and the rights of disabled people.
- An interest in developing your leadership and the potential to take on greater leadership responsibility within the Board over time.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with a collaborative, respectful and inclusive approach to working with fellow Trustees and the executive team.
- Professional expertise in areas such as HR, people and organisational development, campaigning, public affairs or governance would be welcomed, alongside other relevant professional or community experience.
Above all, we are seeking Disabled Trustees who are committed to making a meaningful contribution, can dedicate the time to engage fully with the role, and are motivated by the opportunity to use their experience, networks and influence to help Ruils continue to grow its impact for the communities it serves.
Time commitment
Successful candidates will be expected to commit approximately 1–2 days per month to the role. This includes:
- Attending Board meetings held every two months (typically two hours, in person).
- Serving on one Board sub-committee, with meetings held between Board meetings.
- Preparing for meetings by reading Board papers and contributing to discussions.
- Attending occasional strategy sessions, training and induction activities.
- Representing Ruils at key events, funding opportunities and community engagements where appropriate.
As a locally rooted organisation, we value Trustees being visible and engaged. We therefore ask Trustees to attend meetings and key activities in person wherever possible to help build strong relationships across the Board and with the executive team.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Anish Patel | anish@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07932 557505
Lucy Mavers | lucy@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07947 935068
Ruils Independent Living is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1127896).
Welcome from the Chair
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for taking the time to find out more about becoming a Trustee of Ruils.
I hope that, as you read about Ruils and the opportunity to join our Board, you will get a sense of what makes this organisation so special. For more than 20 years, Ruils has stood alongside Disabled people, older people and people with long-term health and mental health conditions, supporting people to live independently, make their own choices and live the lives they want to lead.
At the heart of Ruils is our belief that people should have a genuine voice in the decisions that affect their lives. As a Deaf and Disabled-led organisation, lived experience is fundamental to who we are. It shapes our services, our campaigning and the way we think about our future.
Ruils has grown considerably over recent years, but we have never lost our strong connection to the communities we serve. We are now looking to strengthen our Board with new Trustees who can help us build on that success and take the organisation forward.
We are looking for people who share our passion for Disability Rights, inclusion and independent living and who can bring strategic thinking, sound judgement and a willingness to offer constructive challenge. We would particularly welcome people with experience in HR, people and organisational development, campaigning, public affairs or governance, as well as those who can bring strong strategic and generalist skills.
Just as importantly, we want people who will bring their own perspective and experience to our Board. Lived experience of Disability or a long-term health condition is particularly valued, and we are proud that a majority of our current Trustees are Disabled. We want to build on this while also broadening the skills and perspectives around the Board table.
Being a Trustee at Ruils is an opportunity to do something genuinely meaningful. You will be part of a welcoming and committed Board, working closely with our Chief Executive and staff team, supporting and challenging us to make the greatest possible difference to the people and communities we serve. If our values reflect your own, and you feel you could contribute to Ruils’ next chapter, I would love to receive your application. We would be delighted to hear from you.
Yours sincerely,
Jane Getley
Chair
Ruils Independent Living
About the Ruils Independent Living
For more than 20 years, Ruils Independent Living has worked alongside Disabled people and their families to help people live independently, exercise choice and achieve their goals. As a user-led charity, lived experience is at the heart of everything we do, shaping our services, informing our campaigning and influencing the decisions we make as an organisation.
In recent years, Ruils has grown significantly, expanding from a small, community-based charity into an established organisation with an income of around £2 million. While we continue to deliver high-quality services across South West London, we have remained true to our roots as a passionate advocate for disability rights, championing greater inclusion, accessibility and opportunities for Disabled people.
As the organisation has grown, so too has our ambition. We are committed to ensuring our governance evolves alongside our services, strengthening the Board’s strategic capacity while preserving the values, lived experience and collaborative culture that have always defined Ruils. This is an exciting opportunity to join a Board that has embraced positive change, introducing stronger governance practices, board development and succession planning to support the charity’s long-term success.
Our Board reflects our belief that Disabled people should be at the heart of decision-making. We are proud that the majority of our Trustees are Disabled, alongside a dedicated Trustee position representing the perspective of a parent of a Disabled child. Maintaining and strengthening Disabled leadership at Board level is central to our future. We are now looking to appoint two Disabled Trustees who can bring their lived experience, skills, networks and influence to the Board and help shape the organisation’s next chapter.
We are particularly keen to hear from people who have the credibility and connections to help Ruils strengthen its voice and influence, both within the communities we serve and more widely. We are also looking to the future, seeking individuals with the potential and appetite to develop their leadership within the Board and, over time, take on greater responsibility.
Looking ahead, we want to continue growing our impact, strengthening our voice as a trusted advocate for Disabled people and ensuring our services remain responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. We are seeking Disabled Trustees who can help us achieve this ambition, bringing strategic insight, constructive challenge, strong relationships and a commitment to authentic user leadership.
Joining Ruils means becoming part of a welcoming, thoughtful and ambitious Board that values collaboration, respectful challenge and genuine partnership with the executive team. Together, we will continue to create lasting change and enable more people to live independent, connected and fulfilling lives.
Learn more about Ruils Independent Living
Accessibility information
We understand that different community members have different access needs. We are creative and innovative, and we welcome your ideas to ensure we meet your access needs. As a Disabled-led organisation, we are passionate about getting this right.
We can offer, for example (this list is not exhaustive):
- Step-free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation.
- Accessibility dogs are welcome.
- Agenda, slides, and papers sent in advance using accessible digital formats like plain text or Word so screen readers can process them.
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats.
- Hold interviews and meetings in meeting rooms that support hearing loops.
- A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interviews and/or meetings.
- Live automated captions or closed captioning for virtual and hybrid calls.
- Schedule regular physical and mental breaks during longer sessions.
- Although we prefer to meet in-person, all board and sub-committee meetings are hybrid and can be accessed online.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Anish Patel | anish@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07932 557505
Lucy Mavers | lucy@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07947 935068
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Ruils Independent Living — Trustees” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Anish Patel | anish@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07932 557505
Lucy Mavers | lucy@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07947 935068
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultants. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. TBC
Candidates informed of outcome: TBC
First stage interviews: TBC
Second stage interviews: TBC
We are in the process of confirming interview dates. Once confirmed, we will update the site and contact those who have applied.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Ruils Independent Living are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
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