Charity Trustee

Fluid Motion is an award winning arts organisation and Charity based in Totton, New Forest. We use theatre and creative activity to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in Totton and the surrounding area, specifically those from disadvantaged groups and in deprived communities. We do this from our Creative Support Hub in Totton Shopping Centre. 

We exist ‘To advance the arts for public benefit by the promotion in particular, but not exclusively, of the art of drama; and to promote the use of the arts to improve people’s mental health or wellbeing.’

Our purpose is ‘To use theatre and creative activity as a tool to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing.’

In May 2024, Fluid Motion launched a creative support hub for Children and Young People (CYP) aged 7-18 in Totton. Located in an old retail unit in the town's shopping precinct.

In our first five months, we welcomed 292 CYP, with 105 referred to previously unknown services. Remarkably, 86% reported feeling better emotionally, surpassing the national average of around 70% for similar creative wellbeing interventions. Additionally, 73% of those we engaged with come from deprived areas as per the Indices of Multiple Deprivation, and 57% are on educational support plans.

The aims and outcomes of our hub include:

• Providing a safe space and activities for CYP feeling lost or overwhelmed.
  
• Delivering friendly, professional support and a listening service in a non-clinical setting.
  
• Nurturing confidence in CYP to return to education.
  
• Delivering mental health support that offers new coping strategies.
  
• Assisting local health and third-sector partners with early intervention to prevent later, more costly support.
  
• Encouraging positive community participation among CYP.
  
• Utilising arts activities to unlock the creative potential in every child and young person.
  
• Building the case for the positive impact of arts and creative activities on CYP's health and wellbeing.

Our Board of Trustees are seeking to develop and strengthen their team, as we move develop this new phase of activity. 

We are looking for Trustees that live in, or close to, Totton and have an understanding of the needs of the Totton Community to complement the existing board.

Skills

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for ensuring all of our activities are in line with our vision, as well as policy development and the employment and deployment of staff. Board meetings are held in person at the Hub four times a year. Meetings last 1.5-2 hours. In addition Trustees are asked to support the work of the Hub by offering up to 2 hours per month, assisting the Executive and Artistic Directors and attending events held at the Hub. 

As a Registered Charity (1192793) and Company Limited by Guarantee (07227917), our organisation is extremely careful to ensure that stringent financial controls are in place and adhered to. Overall, the Board of Trustees reviews all financial matters during quarterly Board meetings with the Executive Director who produces a quarterly management report and financial figures for the Board of Trustees meetings. All accounts information is independently examined and our annual report and accounts are sent to the Charity Commission each year. The Executive Director monitors day to day expenditure and is responsible for maintaining our Sage bookkeeping package. The Artistic Director is given budgets for specific projects and expenditure is reviewed with an expenditure print out produced for the Management team on a monthly basis. 

We are especially keen to welcome applications across a diverse set of backgrounds.