Become a Trustee

Are you passionate about borderline personality disorder, lived experience and peer support? You may wish to consider becoming a trustee and helping us reach our vision of a world where everyone living with BPD gets the support, treatment options and respect that they deserve. Here is everything you need to know to become a trustee.

Our trustees play a very important role in making sure that Borderline Support UK is run in the interests of the people it is there to support. They strategically oversee the management and administration of the organisation.

Although we are currently registered as a non-profit community interest company in the UK, our long-term goal is to obtain charity status. While having trustees is not mandatory for a community interest company, we believe it is important to prepare for becoming a charity in the future.

What is a trustee?

Trustees ensure that the organisation has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision. A trustee’s role is to be the ‘guardians of purpose’, making sure that all decisions put the needs of the service users first.

They safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation. They make sure these assets are used well and that the organisation is being run sustainably.

You can read more about being a trustee in The Essential Trustee  (a guide from the Charity Commission).

Why become a trustee?

Being a trustee can be very rewarding. As a trustee you have the opportunity to support and influence the work and strategic direction of Borderline Support UK, and you can make a substantial impact on a cause that holds personal significance to you.

Being a trustee also offers you the opportunity for professional development. It can let you gain some experience of strategy and leadership, and will help boost your CV. It will give you tangible experience of being a non-executive director – such as leadership, setting a strategic vision, influencing and negotiation, and managing risk. If you already have  experience in these areas, it can be interesting to use it in a different; and potentially challenging, context. Trustees often say that being a board member has been one of the  most rewarding experiences, and one of the best sources of learning in their professional lives.

As a trustee, you will be part of a collaborative team that strives towards a common objective. In this role, you will have the opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience while gaining insight from others. One of the more gratifying aspects of trusteeship lies in the close collaboration with a dedicated team of individuals who bring diverse viewpoints and perspectives to the table.

Who can become a trustee?

Most people can become a trustee with us, as long as you meet the following criteria:

  • you must be over the age of 18;
  • you cannot be a trustee if you have unspent convictions for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud);
  • you cannot be a trustee if you have been removed as a trustee of any charity by the Commission (or the court) because of misconduct or mismanagement;
  • you cannot be a trustee if you have been disqualified as a company director;
  • you cannot be a trustee if you are on the sex offenders’ register.

A criminal conviction does not automically bar you from being a trustee or volunteer, we will assess each application on a case-by-case basis. Please get in touch with us if you have queries on convictions.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds including Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) volunteers, disabled volunteers, volunteers with physical or mental health conditions, and LGBTQIA volunteers. We also welcome students wishing to gain experience.

We accept applications from anyone who wants to become a trustee, and particularly welcome applications with experience in the areas of:

  • Psychology
  • Social Care
  • Charity leadership
  • Fundraising
  • Marketing
  • Campaigning

We are seeking trustees who can:

  • contribute actively to our campaigns and projects
  • commit to regularly attend meetings
  • work effectively as part of a team
  • use their knowledge and experiences to help shape the future of the organisation

How much time do I need to give?

We ask that you commit to being a trustee for a minimum of twelve months and that you can commit to:
  • Between 6 and 10 trustee meetings per year
  • 5-10 hours per month
  • extra time if you are working on a committee, campaign or project

How do I apply?

Send us your CV, with a covering letter explaining why you would like to be a trustee. We’ll get in touch to arrange an informal chat about the organisation, being a trustee and your experience. To progress your application we will require two references and a DBS check.