Chair of Trustees

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Chair of Trustees - Role Spec

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of those affected by Long Covid?

Long Covid Support, a registered charity in England and Wales, is searching for a forward thinking and dedicated Chair of Trustees to lead our mission. This is a unique opportunity to drive positive change, advocate for those impacted, and shape the future of our charity to better support individuals and their families/carers.

Who are we?

Long Covid Support was registered as a charity in 2022 with a clear vision: for Long Covid to be well-defined and understood, with high-quality information, support, and healthcare services accessible across the UK. Founded by individuals with lived experience, we are committed to ensuring that patients are equal partners in decisions about their health and welfare, with fair access to investigations, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Who are we looking for?

Through our networks, we bring together diverse individuals and communities-both within and beyond the UK-to connect, share knowledge, and amplify their voices in conversations that matter. As our new Chair of Trustees, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the next exciting phase of our charity’s growth, strengthening our impact, and driving meaningful change for those affected by Long Covid.

Do you have the skills and experience to lead a growing charity making a real impact? We are looking for someone with:

· Leadership skills
Experience of committee work
Tact and diplomacy
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Impartiality, fairness, and the ability to respect confidentiality

Experience in chairing a trustee board or a comparable body-such as Chair of School Governors, Parish or Town Council Chair-would be a significant advantage. A background in health or social care would also be highly beneficial.

What difference will you make ?

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight, ensuring that Long Covid Support remains focused on its mission and operates effectively within legal and regulatory frameworks.

This is an active and hands-on role, requiring a commitment beyond board meetings to support this small but impactful charity. Your leadership will help shape the charity’s direction, strengthen governance, and drive meaningful change for those affected by Long Covid.

Key Responsibilities:

· Leading the organisation - Keeping the board focused on delivering our charitable objectives for the greatest public benefit.

· C hairing and facilitating board meetings - Ensuring productive discussions and clear decision-making.

· Setting strategic direction - Guiding policy development and overseeing the implementation of key decisions.

· Acting as an ambassador - Representing the charity at events and speaking on its behalf when required.

· Ensuring good governance - Upholding fairness, impartiality, and transparency in decision-making.

· Planning board operations - Scheduling and organising trustee meetings, including the AGM.

· Building a strong board - Supporting trustee induction, training, and succession planning.

· P roviding strategic oversight, support and challenge to our executive team.

· Managing internal dynamics - Addressing conflict within the board and wider organisation.

· Ensuring that robust systems are in place for internal financial control and the protection of Long Covid Support's funds and assets.

· Ensuring legal compliance - Working closely with the board and external bodies to meet governance requirements.

Time Commitment

This role requires chairing quarterly trustee meetings alongside additional ad hoc meetings as needed. You will also play an active role in strategic planning, governance, and representing the charity at key events.

Approx. 12-15 days annually, including meetings, leadership duties, and advocacy work.

· Flexibility is required for additional meetings and events as needed.

Term

This is a fixed term role. One third (or the number nearest one third) of the Trustees must retire at each AGM, those longest in office retiring first and the choice between any of equal service being made by drawing lots. Trustees can stand to be re-elected for another term

Your Support

Long Covid Support has been instrumental in providing patient and public voices to all responses to Long Covid across the four nations of the United Kingdom. Our organisation comprises people with lived experience of Long Covid, medical researchers and other interested supporters. We are governed by a board of Trustees and have an operations committee who run our day-to-day activities, supported by the work of the Finance & Fundraising and Communications committees. Our work focuses on peer support, advocacy and research involvement.

Disqualification

Trustees must not be disqualified from acting as a trustee. You must not:

· Have an unspent conviction for an offence involving deception or dishonesty (such as fraud)

· Be bankrupt or have entered into a formal arrangement (e.g., an Individual Voluntary Arrangement)

· Have been removed as a company director or a charity trustee because of wrongdoing

· Have an unspent conviction for:

1. Specified terrorism offences

2. A specified money laundering offence

3. The offence of contravening a Charity Commission Order or Direction

4. Offences of misconduct in public office, perjury, or perverting the course of justice

5. For aiding, attempting or abetting the above offences

6. Be on the sex offender’s register

· Have an unspent sanction for contempt of Court

· Have disobeyed a Commission Order

· Be a designated person (under specific anti-terrorist legislation)

Trustees must be over the age of 18.