RISE, a Sussex based, £1 million turnover, violence against women and girls charity, will be opening up opportunities on its Board of Trustees in the coming months to feminists with proven leadership in public sector; private sector; youth/student societies or organisations; commercial or charitable organisations; as well as those with direct experience of domestic violence and/or abuse.

To celebrate Trustee Week 2021, we want to tell you a bit more about our Board and invite local women to consider joining us to expand our Board from eight to up to fifteen women aged 18+.

Our Board membership includes: academics, with specialisms in leadership, ethics and law; international fundraisers; health and care experts; an accountant; a charity sector consultant and an artist. Board members bring their expertise and commitment to help RISE meet its charitable aims and stay true to its values. Below you can hear from two of our current Board members:

Jean Spray, local resident and former NHS Chair

“My name is Jean I’m a long standing member of the RISE Board and served as the Chair for four years. It has been a great experience. I have learned a lot and worked with some remarkable and wonderful women at RISE.

I still enjoy it and am looking forward to bringing new members to the Board who will bring new energy, knowledge and experience to sustain and develop RISE into the future. Being part of RISE will always bring challenges.

Working together to meet those challenges and make progress together is a great contribution that Board members can make to the vital work which RISE does.”

Jeanette Ashton LLM Solicitor (Non-Practising)
Lecturer in Law & Employability Lead
Fellow Higher Education Academy
University of Sussex

“My name is Jeanette, I am a law lecturer at Sussex University and I have been a RISE trustee for around four years, having first become aware of RISE through my work at the University of Brighton and now Sussex, on the CLOCK Legal Companion scheme, where students assist unrepresented litigants in the local courts.

In the relatively short time I have been a trustee, RISE has experienced key challenges, but the spirit of the organisation remains strong. It is a privilege to be a Board member, working with wonderful women and staff, to play a part in helping RISE to thrive and provide such important services in the local community.”

Jo Gough, RISE CEO, says,

“We want to thank our volunteer trustees for giving generously to a cause that they believe in and really making a difference. This last year has been difficult but with their dedicated support RISE is now on a firm footing, with strong community support.

Our Board are passionate about ensuring the diverse voices of survivors are heard, and keen to grasp new challenges and opportunities in the next phase of the RISE strategy. They would be delighted to hear from you if you feel this could be a good fit for you.”

The role is voluntary with paid expenses.

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010

To request an informal discussion contact [email protected] . Additional information can also be found on our website www.riseuk.org.uk and you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

About RISE:

RISE is a Sussex-based charity, established in 1994 to support women, children and later LGBT+ people affected by domestic abuse and violence. RISE stands for Refuge, Information, Support and Education: our vision is freedom from abuse and violence. Based in Brighton and Hove, RISE is the only specialist domestic abuse charity and is well known through the area. RISE has grown from being a small grass roots charity to a larger, well-respected local specialist provider over 27 years.

RISE services include a helpline; emergency refuge accommodation; professional legal and housing advice; counselling; family interventions and therapeutic support for children and young people. We also provide one of the few dedicated lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGB&T*) refuge and support services.

The core values of RISE: Respect, independence and empowerment, safety, equality, diversity, learning and development and client centred, place the victim/ survivor at the heart of their recovery.