As we approach our ninth anniversary, we're reflecting on everything we've achieved together. Since 2018, we've grown from a small parent-led group into an established charity, supporting hundreds of children, young people, families and professionals through regular services, events, training, advice and support.
We're incredibly proud of the community we've built together and of the difference we've been able to make to so many families over the past nine years. We hope your family has benefited from being part of that journey - and had plenty of fun with us along the way!
We’re very fortunate to have had a dedicated, committed and skilled Trustee Board, including three of our founders, steering the charity over the last nine years. We’d like to thank each and every past and present member of the team for their contributions over the years. DS Achieve simply wouldn't be where it is today without them.
As we look ahead, we’d like to invite new Trustees to join our Board. We’re a welcoming, hardworking, supportive team who are deeply committed to our community and our mission.
Who are we looking for?
Many of our own children are now teenagers or young adults, so we'd particularly love to welcome some parents of younger children onto the Board. As a parent-led charity, we've always been shaped by the families we support, and we're passionate about ensuring that continues. By bringing together lived experience, professional expertise, fresh ideas and different perspectives, we can continue developing DS Achieve to meet the needs of today's families and those who will join our community in the years ahead.
We’d particularly welcome new team members with Chair, Treasurer, or previous Trustee experience, or professional services backgrounds. But if you don’t have this experience, please do still get in touch - the most important qualities we’re looking for are the ability to work as part of a team, make strategic decisions and a willingness to do what’s needed to make things happen.
Why become a Trustee?
Being a Trustee is an opportunity to:
make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with Down Syndrome and their families.
develop new skills, broaden your experience, meet like-minded people and play a key role in shaping the future of a charity that makes a real difference in our local community
influence the direction of the charity and ensure that future families receive the same support that so many have benefited from already.
What does the Trustee role involve?
As a small charity, our Trustees play an active role. We have a strong Operations team who deliver our services day to day, so the Board's primary responsibility is strategic leadership and good governance. However, the role does go further than this as there can be a need to provide support in other ways from time to time. We therefore need people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and help as needed - from supporting a project or sharing professional expertise, to volunteering to help set up at one of our community events.
Board meetings take place online once every half term, with one in-person strategy day each year. Outside meetings, Trustees may contribute to projects, working groups or specific pieces of work depending on their skills, interests and availability. Our standard Trustee term is three years. While the time commitment is manageable for most people, we're looking for individuals who can make an ongoing commitment to helping shape the future of the charity. If you're interested in taking on the Chair or Treasurer role, we'd be happy to discuss the additional responsibilities involved.
Interested?
Whether you're an experienced Trustee or simply curious about what the role involves, we'd love to have an informal chat. Please email us at info@dsachieve.org - there's no obligation, and we're always happy to answer questions before you decide if becoming a Trustee is right for you.
Thank you once again for your support,
Trustees of DS Achieve