Organisation Name:
Age UK York
Organisation's Cause(s):
Older Adults
Location of voluntary activity:
Remote and at our offices on Margaret Street, York, YO10 4UX.
When are volunteers needed: The role typically involves 2–4 days per month for Board meetings, working with the CEO, Sub Committee duties, and representing the organisation externally. Work is primarily remote, but meetings take place in York, so applicants should live in or near the city.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Trusteeship / Committees
Role description:
Purpose of the role
Trustees of Age UK York (AUKY) are responsible for ensuring the charity is well governed, legally compliant, financially sound, and focused on delivering its charitable purposes for the benefit of older people in York. The Chair of Trustees holds additional leadership and oversight responsibilities.
Key responsibilities of Trustees
Statutory and legal duties
> Ensure AUKY operates in line with its charitable objects and governing documents.
> Comply with charity law, company law and regulatory requirements.
> Oversee appropriate use of resources in line with AUKY’s charitable purposes.
> Act in the charity’s best interests, manage conflicts of interest, and uphold high standards of care, skill and integrity.
Strategic leadership
> Set AUKY’s vision, mission and long term strategic priorities.
> Approve strategic plans, programmes of work and associated budgets.
> Review performance annually against agreed objectives.
> Ensure effective administration and robust organisational policies.
> Promote an inclusive culture that reflects the needs of York’s diverse older population.
Monitoring and scrutiny
> Track delivery of plans, programmes and policies.
> Monitor financial performance, viability and legal compliance.
> Maintain a risk register and ensure effective risk management.
> Ensure strong governance practices, including oversight of the Chief Executive’s appointment, supervision and appraisal.
Individual Trustee responsibilities
> Share collective legal responsibilities.
> Maintain confidentiality and uphold AUKY's values.
> Act as ambassadors for AUKY while avoiding reputational risk.
> Apply personal expertise to strengthen decision making.
Additional responsibilities of the Chair
The chair provides leadership to the board and organisation, ensuring effective governance, strategic oversight and accountability.
Key duties
> Lead the Board in setting culture, strategic direction and priorities.
> Uphold high governance standards and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
> Chair board meetings, facilitate constructive discussion and monitor follow up actions.
> Lead annual Board and governance reviews.
> Act as primary liaison with the CEO, including line management, annual appraisal, and support.
> Work with the Treasurer to ensure financial understanding across the board.
> Represent AUKY publicly and act as an ambassador.
> Manage the relationship between Board and executive team, including escalation.
With the Chief Executive
> Plan the annual cycle of board and general meetings.
> Set meeting agendas.
> Maintain oversight of organisational activity and strategy.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
Experience
Essential
Senior leadership experience at board, executive, or NED level.
Previous governance experience as a trustee, board member, or committee chair.
Track record of chairing meetings and leading diverse groups to effective decisions.
Experience of managing or appraising a CEO or senior executive.
Financial literacy sufficient to scrutinise accounts, reserves, funding risk, and mixed income models.
Desirable
Experience in health, social care, community services, or comparable mission-driven organisations.
Experience of leading an organisation or board through significant change or transformation.
Experience of income generation, fundraising strategy, or reducing reliance on public sector funding.
Lived experience of, or strong personal connection to, the challenges facing older people.
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
Sound understanding of trustee legal duties and Charity Commission compliance.
Familiarity with the Charity Governance Code and its application to smaller charities.
Understanding of the issues facing older people, including isolation, poverty, long-term health conditions, and unpaid caring.
Desirable
Awareness of the York statutory, health, and voluntary sector landscape.
Understanding of public sector commissioning, government contracts, and grant funding dynamics.
Understanding of relevant networks across York's public, private, and third sectors.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
Ability to chair a board with authority, impartiality, and effective facilitation.
Strong listening skills — able to draw out quieter voices and manage dominant ones.
Confident challenging the CEO and executive constructively without crossing into operational management.
Able to represent Age UK York credibly with statutory funders, commissioners, and community stakeholders.
Skilled at managing conflict and navigating sensitive governance situations.
Personal Qualities
Essential
Genuine commitment to Age UK York's mission and the wellbeing of older people in York.
High personal integrity, particularly around conflicts of interest.
Strategic thinker — able to hold the big picture without drifting into operational detail.
Emotionally intelligent and resilient, with the ability to lead through uncertainty.
Accessible, collaborative, and people-centred in style.
Will there be a DBS check? Yes
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
Skilled Volunteer
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
Experience in a Chair role, and leading a local York Charity to meet it's vision, that 'York is an age friendly city where older people are able to enjoy a life of quality, opportunity, and dignity.'
How to get involved:
Please contact us for an application pack and conversation about the role.
[email protected]
01904933611
01904627995
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 01-08-2026