Looking for a Trustee role in an exciting and vibrant arts and wellbeing charity? Here at SoCo Music Project we are growing our Board to bring in the skills and enthusiasm to take the organisation to the next level.
You will help to shape strategy and provide invaluable guidance and judgment to the staff team to help us realise our vision, all the while ensuring the board meets its governance responsibilities for the organisation in line with the principles that guide us.
To read more about our vision and aims read our manifesto.
Whilst we welcome expressions of interest from all candidates, we are particularly keen to hear from applicants with knowledge of or experience in any of the following areas:
● The arts, especially Music
● Fundraising
● Mental Health
● Charity Development
● Young people (Education)
● Diversity
● Comms and Marketing
● Business Development
SoCo Music Project Trustees will give their time voluntarily for a minimum three-year term. Board meetings take place six times a year, and trustees may also be asked to become a member of a small sub-group with a particular focus. We aim to have a wide range of people on the Board, and there is no need to have prior trustee experience to apply.
We hope that membership on our Board allows individuals to contribute passionately to one of Hampshire’s leading Music organisations in a positive and friendly environment, helping to progress our unique organisation and achieve its objectives.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how you can support SoCo Music Project, please contact Marie Negus ([email protected] or 07988 683 544) for an informal chat. Following which we would invite you to forward a covering letter (no more than 2 A4 sides), detailing why you are interested in becoming a Trustee and how your skills/experience will support organisational growth and resilience by Friday 28th May.
About SoCo Music Project
Introduction
SoCo Music Project is an arts and wellbeing charity based in Southampton and operating across Hampshire. Started in 2008 SoCo is now an organisation with a regional reach and a reputation for high quality engagement activities. We are at an important stage of our development as a new charity.
As of Spring 2021 SoCo is steered by a management team of three, has a fantastic board of five and totals ten staff working across project management, strategic development and workshop delivery.
With a turnover in excess of £250k per year, SoCo continues to develop engaging music programmes and vibrant creative spaces, supporting social action and creative development through music.
SoCo is predominantly project funded through grants from Youth Music, Arts Council England, Big Lottery, European Social Fund and Local Authorities. We hope to develop more sustainable income through individual/corporate giving.
Vision
SoCo Music Project seeks to engage young people (especially those in challenging circumstances) and vulnerable adults in musical activity in order to develop their creative potential, promote cross-cultural understanding and encourage the wider social and personal outcomes.
Mission
SoCo Music Project is a music delivery organisation that is dedicated to using music to transform lives. We work with agencies and organisations to reach out to some of the most vulnerable children and adults using highly skilled music leaders who deliver a diverse range of innovative and tailored creative music-making activities. We inspire and empower individuals at the heart of the community, to have a voice and develop and grow. We also encourage and train others who share our passion to bring about positive life-changing moments through music.
Our Objectives
● To increase music making opportunities for people who face challenging circumstances in their lives (young people and adults);
● To support the sector in its region through networking, signposting and training for organisations and emerging music leaders;
● To increase awareness of the benefits (social, personal, health) of music making for people in challenging circumstances (young people and adults);
● To encourage and facilitate cross-sector partnerships;
● To support the creation of environments/spaces for music-making and progression.
Our Values
● Inspiring and Empowering people who face challenges in their lives and ensuring that their needs and voices inform and define our delivery programmes
● Developing and Supporting individuals, using the life-changing power of music to improve skills, enrich lives and connect people and organisations
● Creativity and Diversity is embedded through our organisational values and supports our aspirations to adopt a musically inclusive way of working
These core values capture the essence of who we are and are interwoven through everything that we do as we develop as an organisation and transition to become a charity.
Position Description
We are seeking individuals who are passionate about music and the arts, and the positive impact it has on communities, to support senior management to drive our continuing success, and fulfil our ambitions for the future. You will help to shape overall strategy and provide invaluable independent guidance and judgement to help us realise our vision, all the while ensuring the Board meets its governance responsibilities for the organisation in line with the principles that guide us.
Main Tasks / Responsibilities
Legal Responsibilities
To maintain the legality of SoCo Music Project’s operations according to its constitutional framework and in accordance with statutory requirements of Companies House and to ensure all the necessary statutory documents are returned to Companies House on time.
Trustee Responsibilities
● Ensure all legal requirements are fulfilled as the employers of SoCo Music Project staff
● To value, support and motivate staff and ensure the best possible terms and conditions of employment
● To operate an equal opportunities policy
● Responsible with the Chairman for the recruitment of the Directors and additional staff as required
Communication and Advocacy
● Enhance SoCo Music Project’s profile by communicating our ambitions to the wider community.
Fundraising and Finance Strategy
● Ensure the organisation operates within the law and in line with its fiscal responsibilities
● To ensure sound financial management, being aware of trustees’ responsibility for monitoring the financial position on a regular basis
● Approve the annual budget and ensure appropriate financial controls are in place
● To allocate resources wisely and look after any capital assets
● To support and help the organisation in its fundraising.
Monitoring and Policy Development
● Ensure that the organisation operates with legal and ethical integrity
● Monitor, review update, approve and support the business plan
● Monitor the organisation as it plans and delivers its ambitions, measuring achievements against aims and objectives and funding agreements
● Monitor programmes of work to ensure it is of quality and in line with the ambitions of the organisation
Diversity
● Embrace diversity throughout the organisation and support the promotion of a positive work environment where difference is embraced and everyone is treated with respect and dignity
● Responsible for overseeing the management of health & safety, as laid down in legislation and in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures
