Trustees

Overview of charity

MHF is a small, family-centred charity that’s changing lives and giving hope. Our vision is a world of hope, purpose, inspiration, and empowerment for children with MD and their families. The charity organises and facilitates highly personalised interventions, called Muscle Dreams, for vulnerable children and young people (8–28yrs). Delivering powerful physiological and psychological benefits that improve emotional and mental wellness, the charity has a clear mission to realise 657 Muscle Dreams, that's one life-changing, cherished moment-in-time for every muscle in the human body.

Designed to be restorative and uplifting, beneficiaries are empowered via the realisation of their Muscle Dream – from learning a new skill, experiencing level flight or being a part of one of MHF’s bespoke programmes, these moments-in-time not only boost confidence but reduce isolation, enhancing social connection. In the words of one beneficiary, they ‘catapult them back into a life of possibility’. As we say, that’s the #powerof657.

Why are we looking for new Trustees?

• As part of the charity’s ongoing succession planning strategy as some trustee tenures are coming up for renewal or drawing to a close
• 2024/25 is a pivotal time for the charity as it moves into its 21st Anniversary year – as part of the current trustee recruitment round, MHF is actively seeking new trustees with additional skills and experience to add to the existing trustee Board
• The charity is looking for new trustees to contribute to the requirements of governance but also have strategic responsibility for a specific area such as safeguarding
• We are looking for new trustees to act as advocates in helping to promote the work and impact of the charity
• We are looking for trustees that can add their lived experiences to an already diverse Board for the benefit of others

Requirements and key criteria

Our key criteria are that you have a fundamental belief in the cause, plus a commitment and alignment to the charity’s values. Enthusiasm, an understanding and passion for our work, great communication skills and a real desire to make a difference to the lives of our beneficiaries are also key.

You may have close experience of living with muscular dystrophy, other disabilities or life limiting conditions, but this is not essential.

What commitment do we ask for?

The expected time commitment is anywhere between 6-12hrs hours per month, depending on the trustee role. Trustees come together (virtually) six times across a year for Trustee Board meetings (2hrs per meeting).  Additionally, trustees are invited to get involved in occasional ad hoc projects – MHF Trustees ‘own’ a ‘bucket’, in other words, an area of responsibility like ‘Finance’ or ‘Safeguarding’ or ‘HR’ that allows an individual to bring their skills, experience and talents to the charity. Reasonable expenses will be covered.

What does a great Trustee look like?

• An excellent communicator with listening, responding and interpersonal skills, able to both empower and challenge supportively.
• A strong commitment to equality, and an understanding of disability and how for example this may impact on the quality of life and life choices for disabled people and their families.
• You may have close experience of living with muscular dystrophy, other disabilities or life limiting conditions.
• Commitment and time to dedicate to the role and responsibilities of being a Trustee.
• Commitment to the charity’s vision, mission and values and a desire to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable beneficiary community.
• Understanding of the context in which the Muscle Help Foundation works, its values, and the importance of ensuring public confidence and trust in the charity.
• Previous experience of working collaboratively as part of a team, using sound independent judgement and collective decision making.
• The capacity to grasp issues outside personal experience and the ability to contribute to high level strategy development.
• The ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Commitment to equality and diversity in working relationships with other trustees, staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
• Professional or relevant experience and knowledge and/or the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills needed to support the charity’s interests.

What difference can a Trustee make?

MHF Trustees provide strategic leadership and oversight in line with the organisation’s objectives. Trustees will use their knowledge, skills, passion and experience to ensure that the charity achieves its objectives. As a Trustee, you will represent the interests of all stakeholders, providing support to our CEO as well as being an ambassador in helping to promote the charity’s work and impact wherever possible.

Supporting Trustees to help tell the charity’s compelling story

This is an important role that will help ensure that the charity can continue its support for its vulnerable community, namely children and young people (8-28yrs) with muscular dystrophy in the UK. The purity of MHF’s impact can be seen in these deep dive beneficiary stories that illustrate the transformative power of a Muscle Dream intervention. They also show the powerful relational and social connection value that exists with the charity. As ambassadors, and supported by the CEO, trustees are given the tools to help champion the charity’s story.

Trustees bring skills to help provide strategic oversight

As an MHF Trustee, this is a great opportunity to bring your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity in reaching its overarching goal to deliver 657 Muscle Dream interventions, that’s one cherished moment-in-time that changes lives and gives hope, that’s one experience for every muscle in the human body. By the end of Feb ’24, it is expected that the charity will have delivered >527 Muscle Dreams, leaving a further 130 or so to go.

How do Trustees benefit from volunteering?

• You will have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
• Be part of an incredible team all rowing in the same direction
• Contribute to the governance of a small, multi award-winning national charity
• Have your voice heard and listened to
• An opportunity to work closely with one of Britain’s most influential people with a disability (aka our CEO & Chief Muscle Warrior)
• Attend events, meet beneficiaries & families and by default, witness the impact of the charity’s work
• Plus have strategic responsibility for a skill area such as: safeguarding, HR & governance, fundraising (income generation), corporate partnerships or digital
• Network with other like-minded individuals with common values
• Receive induction, support and training

Board meetings

Board and committee meetings are held remotely by arrangement, and trustees gather in person for an annual Away Day to discuss future strategies and to liaise informally. 

How to apply

Please contact Contact Claire Leach, Trustee at clairel657@musclehelp.com or Matt Adams, Vice Chair at matthew657@musclehelp.com for an application form and further details on how to apply.

Closing date

3rd June 2024.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.