Will you join us?
We’re looking for young adults (aged 18 to 35) to join our board as volunteer co-opted members.
Could you please help make a difference, working with our charity as we support people experiencing poverty, homelessness and disadvantage in Greater Manchester and Lancashire?
“In the work of Caritas Diocese of Salford, it is essential that we build as complete an understanding as possible of the social issues and challenges facing our community and identify how we can make a meaningful impact to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people in our society. This also involves looking to the future and preparing our governance and administration to meet emerging needs.
“I therefore welcome the opportunity to engage two young adults in the work of the Caritas committee, allowing us to gain deeper insights into present and future needs while fostering broader perspectives and innovative approaches for addressing those needs.” Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford and chair of our trustees
We’re looking for young adults (aged 18 to 35) to join our board as volunteer co-opted members – members who are appointed to add specific skills, expertise or representation to a board, but don’t have the full responsibilities in charity law as other board members.
Could you please help make a difference, working with our charity as we support people experiencing poverty, homelessness and disadvantage in Greater Manchester and Lancashire?
What is the role and why is it so important?
This is a first for our organisation and we’re really excited about it.
The co-opted board member role is a volunteer opportunity for two representatives aged 18–35 years (defined as ‘young adults’ by the Church) to join our governance committee as co-opted members.
It’s a unique chance to contribute to shaping the future of our services and activities, ensuring we continue to improve the lives of people experiencing poverty, homelessness, displacement, and disadvantage.
We work alongside some of the most vulnerable members of our community and we know that engaging young adults in our governance is essential for bringing fresh perspectives, building meaningful outreach and strengthening our connection to diverse communities across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Your voice will help shape our strategies and ensure that our work continues to respond effectively to the needs of the people we work alongside.
What’s involved?
By joining our team, you’ll play an important voluntary role in shaping the direction and activities of our charity.
You’ll have an exciting opportunity to contribute your unique perspective, connect with other passionate individuals and help us continue to address issues of poverty, homelessness, displacement and disadvantage within the local area.
You’ll bring the voice of young adults to the decision-making process, ensuring that our strategies and services are inclusive, innovative and impactful. Whether you have direct experience of the challenges Caritas tackles, or simply a passion for social justice, your insights will help us build stronger connections with communities.
Key responsibilities of the role:
Participate in governance meetings:
- Attend quarterly committee meetings (primarily in person though with the potential to join remotely) and contribute to discussions on strategy, planning, and operational reviews.
- Help shape the policies and initiatives that guide our work, with a focus on addressing the needs of young people and disadvantaged communities.
Consider and support how Caritas might best engage with young people across the diocese:
- Act as a bridge between the committee and other generations, ensuring their voices and concerns are heard and acted upon and promoting access and inclusion for all.
- Engage with existing Caritas teams to develop and promote creative and meaningful ways to engage young people in our charity’s mission.
Support Caritas Salford’s year-round activities:
- Participate in occasional additional meetings, workshops, or events that align with your interests and availability.
- Contribute to specific projects, campaigns, or initiatives that resonate with your skills and passions.
Represent Caritas Salford:
- Serve as an ambassador at local and national events, representing our mission and values.
- Help raise awareness of the challenges facing disadvantaged individuals and the role Caritas plays in addressing these issues.
Advocate for social justice:
- Bring your unique perspective to discussions about poverty, human dignity, and social justice.
- Share evidence-based views, including your own experiences and the perspectives of other young adults in your community.
This role is deliberately chosen to be a co-opted member of the board meaning, you would not, at this stage, hold the full legal and financial responsibilities of a trustee as defined under charity law; however, this role is designed to provide a meaningful contribution to our work and experience that could serve as a valuable step towards becoming a full trustee in the future of Caritas Salford or other charities.
Skills you’ll gain:
By serving as a young adult co-opted board member, you’ll:
- Develop strategic decision-making and leadership skills.
- Enhance your ability to work collaboratively, network and communicate effectively in a professional setting.
- Build confidence in representing your views and advocating for others.
- Have the chance to make a real impact in your local community.
What we’re looking for:
We’re seeking individuals aged 18-35 years who would serve a two-year term who:
- Have a strong commitment to the Catholic Church and to social justice and the values of Caritas Salford*.
- Are passionate about addressing challenges like poverty, homelessness, and social inequality.
- Are willing to articulate and share their views in small group discussions and collaborate effectively with others.
- Are eager to learn, grow, and actively contribute to the work of Caritas.
As with all roles in Caritas, you will need to understand and value the importance of safeguarding people and be committed to maintaining a safe environment for all. Successful candidates will need to complete a suitable level of DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check as part of the recruitment process.
*The role-holder is being sought as a committed Catholic within a specific age demographic due to the legitimate organisational requirement for the person to uphold the Catholic ethos and values integral to the charity’s mission, as well as to support specific development needs related to leadership succession and representation within the demographic profile for community engagement.
While no formal qualifications or professional experience are necessary, we value:
- Personal experience of issues related to Caritas’ work or a deep understanding of the challenges faced by communities within the diocese.
- Involvement in community groups, networks or volunteer activities that can provide insights into diverse perspectives.
- An open and respectful approach to working with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints.
Caritas endeavours to ensure that applicants are appropriately supported with accessibility needs. If we should consider potential barriers because of your physical, mental and emotional, learning, sensory and/or communications needs, please let us know.
Commitment and support
Time commitment:
- Approximately four hours per month, including meetings and other activities.
- Flexibility to engage in additional opportunities depending on your interests and availability.
Support provided:
- A full induction to Caritas Salford and its work, led by the Caritas formation coordinator.
- Ongoing mentorship and support, with regular check-ins to ensure you feel prepared and empowered to contribute.
- Guidance and resources to help you identify and pursue additional personal development opportunities.
- Reimbursement for all travel expenses.
How to apply:
We welcome applications in a variety of formats to ensure accessibility using our recruitment platform. You can submit your application as:
- A CV with written covering letter outlining your suitability (a maximum of 400 words),
- A voice or video recording in English and/or British Sign Language (up to three minutes maximum) by forwarding a link.
Please answer the following questions as part of your application:
- Why do you want to become a young adult co-opted board member?
- What would you bring to the role (e.g. experience, skills, leadership roles)?
- How will you listen to and represent young people from different groups across the diocese?
To apply, follow the link below and scroll down the careers page to where the role is listed.
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to the Caritas Salford team.