Trustee

SignHealth is the deaf health charity. We are a passionate and unique deaf-led organisation, committed to tackling deaf health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of all deaf people. 

We provide psychological therapy, domestic abuse support and social care services, all delivered by deaf people to deaf people directly in British Sign Language (BSL). We are also developing new services including our Children and Young People (CYP) service. 

We are one of the UK’s leading and most significant employers of deaf people.  We exist to improve deaf people’s health and wellbeing, from all backgrounds.  The diversity of our workforce reflects this. 

It is an exciting time for SignHealth with the recent appointment of our Chief Executive, alongside a strong leadership team.  Now we are ready to recruit four new trustees to support us to deliver our Three-Year Plan.   

We are looking for new trustees who bring fresh perspectives and challenges. We welcome anyone that will bring their lived experience of being deaf and/or their professional experience to our deaf-led charity. Whilst we are a deaf led organisation, our current board has a mixture of outstanding deaf and hearing professionals who bring special qualities to our work.  

Specific skills and experience we are targeting include: 

• Financial management and accountancy – to become our treasurer 
• Fundraising and/or income generation 
• Safeguarding  
• Health, social care, psychological therapy, domestic abuse, children and young people 
• Business development 
• People/Human Resources 

We are open to people of all backgrounds and experience for these roles.  The following principles guide us:   

• We want people who make us (in the best possible way) uncomfortable. We want people who will challenge our vision of health services for deaf people.  People who will bring constructive support to shape the future delivery of our services.  
   
• It is important to us that we involve a diverse representation of deaf people from across the whole community, especially those from a global majority to come.  Diversity and inclusion is vital to our growth and development, to ensure that we develop and deliver services that meet the needs of all deaf people. In 2019 we won the Board Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award at the Charity Governance Awards. We were shortlisted for the same award in 2024 and, as a previous winner, received a special commendation for continuing excellence. The judges noted we are not complacent about diversity and inclusion and that we recognise the need for continued development and evolution. Both our Chair and Vice-Chair are deaf. 
   
• We welcome applications from people who are living an actively engaged life and embracing and extending deaf culture. So, those who run community groups, schemes, social clubs, and other places where deaf people and deaf culture flourish. We understand you’re busy – but this is your opportunity to share learning what might work on a larger scale. 

Our Board encourages a thinking culture, where all voices matter.  This includes working together to appreciate what SignHealth does now and in the future, give time and commitment to ensure a strong Board works positively with an outstanding leadership team.  

Time commitment 

Minimum commitment: approximately 10 days per year, including; 

• Four board meetings, half day each (alternating between zoom and in-person meetings) 
• Board awayday, full day 
• Four committee meetings a year (you will be expected to join a committee relevant to your expertise), half day each (which take place on zoom, occasionally in-person) 
• Additional time engaging and staying connected with key SignHealth activities. 

The role is voluntary but all reasonable expenses will be paid. 

If you would like to apply please find more information about SignHealth and our work in BSL as well as written English on our website.  

If you prefer you can contact Paul Howes on phowes@signhealth.org.uk for a conversation.  

About the role