Trustee Vacancies | SS Freshspring Trust

About SS Freshspring

SS Freshspring is a unique historic steamship with increasing national recognition and significant recent developments. Based in Bideford, North Devon, our mission is to preserve and share the ship’s legacy and ensure future sustainability while inspiring young people and communities through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) learning and maritime experiences. Our governance, compliance, and policy frameworks must be robust and future ready as we work towards restoring the ship to full operational status.

General Responsibilities of Trustees

As defined by the Charity Commission, trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for ensuring it achieves its intended purpose. Trustees are the individuals who lead the charity and determine its operational structure. Being a trustee means making decisions that impact the lives of others. Depending on the charity's activities, you will make a difference in your local community or to society.

Trustees utilise their skills and experience to support the charity in achieving its objectives, often acquiring new skills in the process.

Trustees share collective responsibility for the following key duties:

Ensuring SS Freshspring is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
Complying with SS Freshspring’s governing document, policies, and the law.
Acting in SS Freshspring’s best interests, helping to set and lead strategic direction.
Managing SS Freshspring’s money and other resources responsibly.
Acting with reasonable care and skill, identifying and managing risk.
Ensuring SS Freshspring is accountable to regulators, funders, and stakeholders.

In addition, trustees are expected to:

Use their skills and experience to guide decision-making and provide strategic insight.
Review and help improve operations, plans, and new initiatives.
Take responsibility for a specific Trust requirement or working group.
Actively promote the work and social benefits of SS Freshspring.

How to Apply:

To express interest, please email [email protected] with a short statement outlining why you’d like to join the Board and what relevant experience you bring. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal conversation with our Board.

Compliance Policy and Procedure Development

Purpose of the Role:

To support SS Freshspring in maintaining excellent governance and compliance standards. This role ensures the charity operates within legal frameworks and follows best practices in policy development and implementation.

Key Duties:

Ensure the charity meets its legal and regulatory responsibilities under charity and company law.
Support the creation, review, and implementation of governance policies and operational procedures.
Guide the Board on matters such as risk management, safeguarding, data protection, and whistleblowing.
Align charity practices with the Charity Governance Code and relevant frameworks.
Advise on structuring working groups and decision-making processes to promote transparency.

Ideal Candidate:

Experience in compliance, law, governance, or policy development (or a willingness to learn).
Strong understanding of charity legislation and governance best practices.
Ability to produce and review policy documents.
A methodical approach to documentation and risk.
Commitment to SS Freshspring’s mission and the time to contribute actively.

Time Commitment & Location:

Trustee meetings are typically held online (approximately nine per year).
Remote participation is welcome, though occasional in-person attendance at events or ship visits is encouraged.
Trustees are expected to contribute to at least one working group aligned with their skills and interests.
Term Trustee appointments are typically for a term of three years, with the possibility of renewal.

Digital and IT

Purpose of the Role:

To guide and support the charity’s digital development, ensuring SS Freshspring’s IT systems are robust, secure, and fit for purpose. Help shape our digital strategy and ensure we use technology to enhance communication, engagement, and operational effectiveness.

Key Duties:

Oversee and advise on the charity’s digital infrastructure, systems, and processes.
Support developing and maintaining the SS Freshspring website.
Identify and implement tools to improve digital workflows, collaboration, and file management.
Ensure the charity adheres to data protection regulations and GDPR best practices.
Support technology integration across membership and volunteer management, education delivery, and marketing areas.

Ideal Candidate:

Background in IT, digital strategy, or systems administration.
Experience with website platforms and essential web maintenance.
Working knowledge of data protection, cybersecurity, and GDPR compliance.
Ability to support a small organisation in maximising limited digital resources.

Time Commitment & Location:

Trustee meetings are typically held online (approximately nine per year).
Remote participation is welcome, though occasional in-person attendance at events or ship visits is encouraged.
Trustees are expected to contribute to at least one working group aligned with their skills and interests.
Term Trustee appointments are typically for a term of three years, with the possibility of renewal.

Marketing and Communications

Purpose of the Role:

To provide direction, development and delivery of SS Freshspring’s communications and marketing strategy, helping to raise the charity’s profile, grow engagement, and support income generation through compelling storytelling and outreach.

Key Duties:

Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications plan aligned with our mission and growth strategy.
Strengthen the charity’s brand and digital presence through targeted campaigns across social media, the website, and email.
Create engaging content and promotional materials to raise awareness of the ship, our educational and heritage programmes, and fundraising initiatives.
Support member, volunteer, and visitor engagement through effective and consistent messaging.
Collaborate with other trustees and team members to ensure communications align with our events and strategic objectives.

Ideal Candidate:

Experience in marketing, communications, PR, or digital media.
Strong skills in content creation, campaign planning, and audience engagement.
Familiarity with social media management tools, email marketing platforms, and branding principles.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, from local communities to funders and national partners.

Time Commitment & Location:

Trustee meetings are typically held online (approximately nine per year).
Remote participation is welcome, though occasional in-person attendance at events or ship visits is encouraged.
Trustees are expected to contribute to at least one working group aligned with their skills and interests.
Term Trustee appointments are typically for a term of three years, with the possibility of renewal.

Volunteer and Events Coordination

Purpose of the Role:

To lead in coordinating our volunteer network, planning, and delivering events throughout the year. This role supports community engagement, income generation, and the smooth operation of ship-based and outreach activities.

Key Duties:

Oversee the planning and delivery of events on and off the ship.
Recruit, support, and retain a diverse volunteer team.
Coordinate training and development opportunities for volunteers.
Ensure all events are well-organised, inclusive, and aligned with the charity’s goals.
Seek and develop new event opportunities to boost visibility and fundraising.
Manage event-related budgets and logistics where required.
Maintain oversight of all community event arrangements to ensure effective coordination with ship opening times and volunteer availability, proactively avoiding scheduling conflicts and ensuring adequate volunteer support for both ship operations and events.

Ideal Candidate:

Experience in volunteer management, event planning, or community engagement.
Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and communicate clearly with stakeholders.
A collaborative approach and enthusiasm for working with people of all backgrounds.

Time Commitment & Location:

Trustee meetings are typically held online (approximately nine per year).
Remote participation is welcome, though occasional in-person attendance at events or ship visits is encouraged.
Trustees are expected to contribute to at least one working group aligned with their skills and interests.
Term Trustee appointments are typically for three years, with the possibility of renewal.

Education & Learning

Purpose of the Role:

To support and develop SS Freshspring’s educational outreach, fostering meaningful engagement with schools, colleges, and lifelong learners across our local communities and beyond.

Key Duties:

Support and work closely with the Community Learning Officer to plan and deliver a long-term education strategy.
Identify local educational needs and establish strong partnerships with schools, colleges, and learning organisations.
Promote STEAM learning through ship-based outreach activities tailored to all age groups.
Contribute to evaluating and improving the impact and reach of our learning programmes.

Ideal Candidate:

A background in education, youth engagement, or training.
Experience in developing partnerships and working collaboratively with external stakeholders.
An understanding of curriculum development, inclusive education, or informal learning approaches.
A passion for inspiring young people and promoting heritage-based learning.

Time Commitment & Location:

Trustee meetings are typically held online (approximately nine per year).
Remote participation is welcome, though occasional in-person attendance at events or ship visits is encouraged.
Trustees are expected to contribute to at least one working group aligned with their skills and interests.
Term Trustee appointments are typically for a term of three years, with the possibility of renewal.