Trustee (Accounts)
Swan Lifeline is a Windsor based charity that rescues, rehabilitates and releases swans within the Thames Valley and surrounding areas. We work closely with the Queen's Swan Marker and other swan rescue charities.
We are looking for a volunteer with accounting skills to join our Board of Trustees.
Swan Lifeline are called out 30-50 times a month and about 20% of the rescues become in-patients. We have an indoors intensive care unit, along with 8 outdoor & 3 indoor pens where we keep the rehabilitating swans and cygnets. We employ 3 members of staff who rescue and care for the swans on a rota. We also have a number of volunteers who help us.
We are financially supported from donations, legacies, grants and fundraising.
Our headquarters in Eton, Berkshire was affected by Avian Flu in January 2022 but re-opened successfully in late April.
What will you be doing?
Our successful volunteer will be able to support the other trustees by undertaking the accounting responsibilities. We are looking for someone with an interest in wildlife and animal protection - you can find out more about us on our website. We meet approximately once every quarter and would love to start working with a new trustee as soon as possible. We are based on an island in Eton. Some of our meetings take place virtually, but we do try to meet face to face at least once per year, restrictions allowing. We'd love to hear from a range of people, from a young community-minded swan-loving qualified bookkeeper/accountant, to a retired accountant who would like to get involved in a charity. You will have the chance to volunteer at our centre to help look after the swans if you would like to.
Who are we looking for?
Our ideal volunteer cares deeply about animal protection - and hopefully swans. We are also increasing the number of educational visits and projects to support vulnerable young people to help with mental health and wellbeing support. We are looking for someone who can help our board of trustees by taking on some accounting responsibilities so experience of bookkeeping is essential. Experience with Gift Aid would be a bonus. You would need to be confident using online banking, websites, spreadsheets and emails, etc. We do need someone reliable and who is available to pay bills regularly (online), keep financial records, help with end of year returns and administer our Gift Aid scheme. We anticipate that it this will take up around 2 hours per week but it may be more to begin with, as you are handed over the current records.
We believe our staff and volunteers should represent the community we work in and as such we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
What difference will you make?
You will be able to take part in strategic decision making and to help us grow through ideas for fundraising, and financial planning. You will also be looking after our present and future legacy donations and give advice to people who may want to leave us a legacy. Swan Lifeline has recued and treated over 30,000 swans to date. You could become part of their future.
What's in it for the volunteer?
We currently have 6 members on the Board of Trustees who oversee education, IT, social media, data analysis and PR. A former trustee is continuing to look after the accounts until a new trustee is appointed for finance. We are a friendly team who are passionate about helping swans. You will gain experience in the running and growing of a small charity and will learn about fundraising and profile raising. Because our work is so closely linked with action, you will see how what you do makes a difference in real terms to our "customers" - the swans.
To apply
Please email applications@swanlifeline.uk, letting us know what your experience is with bookkeeping/accounting and why you'd like to join the board of trustees at Swan Lifeline. Please also let us know times when you would be available for an initial Zoom call (am/pm/evening times - plus what days you would prefer - including weekends). As most of our trustees work full-time elsewhere, we try and accommodate everyone.
