Chairperson Charity Trustees

Join Testwood Lakes Sailability as Chair of Trustees

Testwood Lakes Sailability (TLS) is a friendly, RYA-affiliated sailing centre providing fully accessible sailing opportunities for disabled people on the beautiful Testwood Lakes in Totton. We welcome individual sailors as well as groups from day centres, care homes, schools, and community organisations.

We operate sailing sessions every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays) and Thursday from April to October. Our base at the Aquativity Centre offers accessible toilets, comfortable seating, disabled parking, and a wheelchair-accessible pontoon equipped with hoists to assist sailors safely into and out of boats. Trustee and planning meetings can take place throughout the year.

TLS is a volunteer-led charity, and our Board of Trustees is responsible for the organisation’s strategy, oversight, governance, and financial stewardship. Trustees typically meet two to three times a year in Totton, Southampton.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and communities and are particularly keen to hear from individuals who can bring new perspectives, skills, and lived experience to our team.

Chair of Trustees – Role Overview

We are seeking a committed and community-minded Chairperson to lead our Board of Trustees. This is a voluntary role ideal for someone who cares about accessible sailing, local community opportunities, and good charity governance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a spokesperson and ambassador for TLS, championing our mission and values.
  
• Uphold confidentiality and model best practice in governance.
  
• Chair committee, open, and general meetings, ensuring they run efficiently and stay focused.
  
• Set meeting agendas and support effective administration across the organisation.
  
• Provide guidance and encouragement to Trustees and volunteers, and authorise the work of the Treasurer.
  
• Help raise and maintain the charity’s profile across South Hampshire.
  
• Lead on handling user complaints and grievances with fairness and sensitivity.
  
• Attend local events to promote TLS and support fundraising activities.
  
• Ensure all relevant data protection and safeguarding policies are followed.

Skills

• Good communicator
• Ability to network and build partnerships 
• Team building