Job Description

Exciting opportunity for a passionate advocate for young people's emotional health and wellbeing to lead a team of committed individuals within a small local charity making a big difference in Richmond upon Thames.  As Chair of our Board of Trustees you will be dedicated to helping us achieve Off The Record's Vision that "Every young person has a welcoming space where they feel valued, supported and listened to".

Off The Record is a highly-valued member of its local community;  an essential agency within the wider voluntary sector, and a key local partner in delivering services on behalf of the statutory and health sector. Our charity's been based in Twickenham for some 25 years, and we estimate that one in three of all young people growing up in our borough will have been in contact with the service at one point or another at a vital stage of their emotional development.  The pressures young people face, which have the potential to impact and affect their emotional health and wellbeing and continue well into adulthood, increase year on year.  There is a huge demand for support, through early intervention and ongoing counselling.

Off The Record provides the only dedicated walk-in counselling and information service for young people in our borough.  We work enormously hard to meet this need and secure positive changes for young people.  Our services are provided free of charge, by a small team of paid staff and volunteer counsellors.

As our Chair, you will lead a skilled and experienced Board of 8 trustees (including an Hon Treasurer) and help manage one of the key charities in the borough of Richmond upon Thames at a time when the local and national agenda is focused on ways in which mental health issues can be addressed.  No previous Chair experience is required as we will look at transferable skills form prior trusteeships and/or other esperience from leading formal committees in a corporate environment.  Although not essential, it would be great if you have knowledge of the charitable sector and the current issues affecting small charities.  You will have knowledge or a keen interest in counselling and a passion for supporting young people's mental health, with the ability to advocate on their behalf.We're really hoping to attract candidates who live within Richmond upon Thames, and have a good knowledge of our borough and those that live and work here.  Some experience of financial management, and of charity finance and fund-raising would be welcome,