Help shape a better justice system. User Voice is seeking up to three new Trustees to bring fresh perspectives, lived experience and expertise to our Board.
User Voice brings together people with convictions and decision-makers in the criminal justice system to create meaningful, lasting change.
We are looking for up to three new Trustees to join our Board to help us build on our successes and learning, working in collaboration with people with lived experience.
We particularly want to strengthen the diversity of our Board and welcome people with lived experience of the justice system and people from ethnically minoritised backgrounds. We are also interested in candidates with expertise in fundraising, the justice sector, people & culture and communications.
You do not need previous trustee experience. What matters is your commitment to User Voice’s purpose, willingness to contribute and ambition to help create a better and more effective justice system.
Who we are
User Voice brings together decision-makers, service providers and people with convictions to understand what needs to change and develop solutions that improve the system. Working across prisons, probation and community settings, we currently operate in 40 prisons across England and engage with around 1,000 people each month.
Lived experience is fundamental to who we are: 75% of our staff and all our volunteers have convictions. Through Prison Councils, peer research, consultation and partnerships, we ensure people’s voices are heard, develop lived experience leaders and influence policy and service delivery.
Our ambition is a safer, fairer and more effective justice system that delivers better outcomes for everyone.
About the role
As a Trustee, you will share responsibility for User Voice’s governance, strategic direction and long-term sustainability, helping us build on our achievements and deliver our current strategic plan.
Working alongside the Chair, fellow Trustees and executive team, you will help set strategic direction, scrutinise performance, oversee resources and risk and ensure User Voice remains focused on its charitable purpose and the people it exists to serve.
You will bring your own perspective and experience to Board discussions while contributing beyond your particular area of expertise. Trustees are also encouraged to contribute through our Finance or People Committee, or through specific projects with the broader User Voice team.
This is an opportunity to help shape both the future of User Voice and its contribution to improving the criminal justice system.
Who we are looking for
We want to build a Board that brings together different experiences, perspectives and professional expertise, united by a commitment to improving the criminal justice system.
We are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of the justice system and people from ethnically minoritised backgrounds, helping us build a Board that better reflects the people and communities User Voice works alongside.
Alongside this, we would welcome candidates who can strengthen the Board through professional experience in fundraising, the justice sector, people & culture or communications. We are recruiting up to three Trustees and do not expect any one person to bring all of these areas of expertise.
You will be collaborative and open-minded, with sound judgement and the confidence to contribute your perspective while listening to others. You will share our commitment to meaningful change and our values of being collaborative, inclusive, resilient and compassionate.
You will probably also have some or all of the following attributes:
- a commitment to our ethos of co-production and to our values.
- an ability to work effectively as a member of the Board and to take decisions in the best interests of User Voice
- objective and independent judgement
- a willingness to listen to others and to speak your mind in a constructive manner
- an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee
- an ability to manage your time to meet the time commitment for the role
Previous trustee experience is not required. We welcome first-time Trustees and will provide induction, training and support to help you contribute effectively.
Time commitment
Minimum time commitment: Trustees are required to:
- attend four board meetings each year – these are normally for two hours each during office hours and are mostly held virtually, with one meeting per year at User Voice’s offices in London with a hybrid option
- attend one Board Strategy Day each year – these are normally for half a day during office hours at User Voice’s offices in London
- prepare for meetings as required, working with senior employees to review papers and reading papers
- be available for a full induction and any ongoing training requirements
Trustees are encouraged to join one of either the Finance Committee or the People Committee of the Board. These Committees meet virtually several times a year. You can also contribute your knowledge and skills to any ad hoc groups working closely with the Chief Executive, the Executive and Leadership Team on specific topics.
Learn more about User Voice
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 consultant at Peridot Partners:
Clare Chesworth | clarec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07904 158737
User Voice is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1136047).
Welcome from the Chair
Dear Applicant,
Thank you very much for your interest in becoming a Trustee at User Voice. We are delighted you are considering joining us at an exciting time for the organisation, as we build on the remarkable success we have achieved over the past decade.
User Voice brings together decision-makers and people with convictions to build a better, more effective criminal justice system—one shaped by the people who know first-hand what needs to change and how to change it.
We are now looking for up to three new Trustees to support future growth and implement our new Strategic Plan. We want to increase the Board’s diversity so it better represents those we serve. In particular, we would like to have greater representation on the Board from individuals with lived experience of the justice system and from people of colour.
We would also welcome candidates with professional experience of fundraising, the justice sector, people and culture and communications. We would welcome candidates with no previous experience of being a Trustee. But leadership experience, whether paid or voluntary, would be useful. As important is dynamism, a commitment to the objects of User Voice, a hunger to see meaningful improvements in the criminal justice system and better outcomes for those with experience of it. If you would like to bring your skills, expertise and passion to support what we do, we’d love to hear from you.
We look forward to receiving your application, so please apply as soon as possible.
Best wishes,
Michael Barnett
Chair of Trustees
Accessibility information
We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.
We offer the following amenities:
- Step-free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms and an accessible workstation
- Accessibility dogs are welcome
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Clare Chesworth | clarec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07904 158737
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Job Information Pack.
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: User Voice — 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 consultant at Peridot Partners:
Clare Chesworth | clarec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07904 158737
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 consultant. 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. Tuesday 13th October
Candidates informed of outcome: Tuesday 20th October
First stage interviews (virtual): W/c Monday 26th October
Second stage interviews: Monday 2nd / Friday 6th November
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and User Voice 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.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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