The Makaton Charity is a thoughtful and dedicated organisation at the forefront of transforming the lives of individuals living with learning or communication difficulties. Its mission is to ensure that everyone has access to Makaton, a unique communication program that combines signs, symbols, and speech to empower individuals to understand and be understood. Today over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech. 

The charity is a growing and expanding social enterprise based charity, with a strong subscription and training provision offer, together with a social franchise network of over 1,200 Tutors which cover the whole of the UK. The Charity is also expanding its activities, where it is looking to develop a grant and bursary space, to better support those for whom the social enterprise approach does not work. It places a significant emphasis on innovation, continuously exploring new avenues to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility. International growth and expansion are integral parts of its strategy, as it aims to extend the reach of Makaton to a global audience. 

The Makaton Charity's efforts and dedication to empowering individuals with learning or communication difficulties through Makaton has brought about positive transformations to millions of lives. Its commitment to accessibility, innovation, and expansion sets it apart as a compassionate and forward-thinking organisation, ensuring that the benefits of Makaton reach individuals worldwide.

See how other people are using Makaton to transform their lives. Why not learn its Sign of the Week?

The Makaton Charity is looking to expand its Board of Trustees as it expands its reach and impact. The new Trustees will use their specific skillsets and relevant experience to help the Board make strategic decisions in order to maximise community engagement through its educational and innovative programmes and projects. The Trustees will have a strong alignment with the vision and mission of Makaton and proactively help to work towards its success.

Trustees will be willing to:

• Provide advice, guidance, and challenge to the evolution of the charity's strategy, plans and projects. Making appropriate introductions with relevant potential digital or other corporate partners would also be helpful
• Bring independence of judgement, the capacity to bring a fresh, external but constructive view to decision making, and champion its ambition to support and reflect a more diverse set of members and beneficiaries
• Play a full role as a charity Trustee, including attending Board meetings and other committee meetings, as needed. General duties and responsibilities of a Trustee are found here
• Commit to operating in a non executive, rather than executive, function
• Bring passion, interest and enthusiasm for the charity's vision and values - help it ‘think and act big’ and extend its influence and reach!

The Makaton Charity is seeking new Trustees who are aligned to its mission and have the relevant knowledge to specialise in one of the following areas to support the charity with its growth:

• Finance expertise: Applicants will ideally be a qualified accountant or have significant experience of working with financial accounts. They will come from a strong financial management background and will have managed or overseen sizeable budgets and operations. They will be able to challenge and question budgets and operational processes.
• Legal expertise: Applicants will be legally qualified, and whilst they will not be expected to provide pro bono legal advice, they will be able to offer strategic legal guidance. Trustees with legal knowledge play a pivotal role in ensuring the organisation's compliance with regulations, contractual agreements, and governance principles.
• Digital marketing: Applicants will bring digital expertise within a training and membership subscription based environment. They will also be able to assist in the community engagement and communications strategy across social media platforms to increase its reach and brand awareness. 
• Grant-making: Applicants will bring current knowledge of best practice and cutting-edge trends in effective grant-making. They will have experience of developing charity operations to deliver better outcomes for beneficiaries such as building new partnerships, new ways of working and strategic or structural change. 

Robert Douglas, Chair
Karen Donnelly
Dr Rebecca Khanna
Paul Moore
Dr Carol Riddington
Stephanie Kogels
Pete Donell
Ian Newman 
Julia Spencer 

Trustees are voluntary roles (approved expenses will be paid). As a Trustee, you would need the time to:

• Prepare for and attend c. five 3-hour Board meetings a year (mainly held remotely but one or two per year to be held at the charity's offices in Frimley, if travel allows) including an annual ½ day away day. 
• Prepare for and attend any committee meetings you would be involved with (generally only one, which would have between three and five, 2-hour meetings a year held remotely). In time, to be willing to chair a committee.
• Provide limited ad hoc support and input as required.

This organisation is based in Frimley in the South-East and meetings will take place as a blend of virtual and in-person meetings. Preferably, Trustees will be able to travel for the annual ½ day away day. Candidates can be from anywhere in the UK and the charity is keen to not put any geographical constraints on its Trustees.