Volunteer Board Chair
Role: Chair of Board of Directors
Salary: Unpaid (but reasonable expenses will be covered)
Location: Hybrid – online and in-person at York Place, Edinburgh
Closing date: Sunday 19 November 2023 at midnight.
We are seeking a suitably skilled and motivated person to join our Board of Trustees as Chair in an exciting and challenging period.
Along with many organisations, Bright Light is having to adapt and change post-pandemic and in light of financial challenges, but we have ambitious plans to continue delivering an excellent service to people in need of counselling across the Lothians.
About us
Bright Light provides counselling support for families, children, and young people in both family and individual sessions. Our focus is supporting the positive mental health of the individual in relationship to others - family members, friends, people they encounter including professionals, their communities and with themselves.
Established in 1948, our services have developed and evolved considerably over the years. We recently launched our updated values and 2023-2026 Strategic Plan which provides the blueprint for our focus and development over the next three years.
About the role
Simon Massey, the current Chair, is stepping down in April 2024 at the end of his term on our Board so we are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, values-led and experienced individual to take on the role.
You will provide a constructive and supportive role in furthering the values and objectives of Bright Light and lead the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in good governance. This includes leading the Board in developing strategy, monitoring quality and supporting the effective, and sustainable, delivery of counselling services across the Lothians. You will work closely with the CEO and wider staff team as well as being part of the Relationships Scotland network.
Each year the Board usually meets as follows:
4 x Board Meetings. 2½ hours on a weekday evening in February, May, August and November. These alternate between online and in-person meetings, with the in-person meetings usually followed by a meal out.
1 x Annual General Meeting. Hybrid meeting allowing both online and in-person attendance. Timings and dates differ each year. The last one was May 2023.
1 x Board and Bright Light senior staff Strategy Day. In-person meeting. Timings and dates differ each year. The last one was March 2023.
As with many smaller charities, the role can sometimes be quite hands-on so it’s important that as well as the above meetings, the Chair is able to regularly meet with the CEO, lead or oversee any sub-committee meetings, attend a Relationships Scotland Member Service Chairs group and support the development of the Board.
Although the role is non-remunerated reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
An induction programme will be provided and we encourage Trustees to join the SCVO Trustees Network while ongoing training will be available to meet identified needs.
To apply
To apply, please download the application pack then download and complete the Equal Opportunities and Diversities Monitoring form, save it and email your CV, a covering letter/video/voice recording and your completed Monitoring form to our CEO, Mark at mark@bright-light.org.uk Applications can also be posted to: Mark Mackenzie-Smith, 18 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP
For an informal chat about the position, you can contact Simon Massey, the current Chair, on simon@bright-light.org.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
The closing date for applications is midnight, Sunday 19 November 2023.
Volunteer Board trustees
We are seeking suitable skilled and motivated people to join our Board of Trustees in an exciting and challenging period.
Along with many organisations, we are having to adapt and change
post-pandemic, and manage financial challenges, but we have ambitious plans to continue delivering an excellent service to people in need of counselling and family therapy across the Lothians.
About us
Bright Light provides counselling support for families, children, and young people in both family and individual sessions. Our focus is supporting the positive mental health of the individual in relationship to others - family members, friends, people they encounter including professionals, their communities and with themselves. Established in 1948, our services have developed and evolved considerably over the years.
About the role
To help support the organisation Bright Light seeks skilled and motivated individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As a non-executive member of the Board, you will play a central role in developing strategy, monitoring quality and governance and supporting the effective, and sustainable, delivery of counselling services across the Lothians. You will fulfil a constructive and supportive role in furthering the values and objectives of Bright Light, with a clear understanding of their governance responsibilities. We would particularly like to hear from you if you have experience in HR, IT & digital or fundraising.
We are keen to have a diverse group of Trustees so want to hear from people from different backgrounds and lived experiences, but you do not necessarily have to have experience of the charity sector or being a Trustee before – this is a great opportunity to gain fresh experiences and develop new skills. We do want people who share our values of professionalism, working together, optimism, kindness, and fairness.
There are 4 Board meetings each year, our AGM and an in person strategy day. These alternate between online and in-person and occasionally a mix of both.
An induction programme, including a ‘Trustee buddy’ system, will be provided and we encourage Trustees to join the SCVO Trustees Network. Ongoing training is available to meet identified needs.
To apply
To apply, download the application pack then download and complete the Equal Opportunities and Diversities Monitoring form, save it and email your CV, a covering letter and your completed Monitoring form to our CEO, Mark at mark@bright-light.org.uk Applications can also be posted to: Mark Mackenzie-Smith, 18 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP
If you would like to arrange an informal chat with one of our trustees before deciding whether to submit an application please email Mark.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The closing date for applications is midnight, Sunday 22 October.
Operations Team Member
If you are searching for your next opportunity and enjoy a role that
builds strong relationships, in which you can feel valued
· know you are contributing to the welfare of others
In this role, you will have the opportunity to share your skills, continuously develop and obtain new skills and experiences that will stay with you throughout your career.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Operations Team member. You will receive full training and will be supported by experienced, knowledgeable and friendly managers and team members.
Who are we: Bright Light Relationship Counselling is a leading provider of confidential counselling for those experiencing relationship and life difficulties
Key responsibilities:
To provide comprehensive operational support to the practitioners within our Family & Young Person Therapy service.
You will provide high levels of customer service including planning, negotiating, and arranging appointments with the team for their clients.
Excellent attention to detail is required for the data entry and tracking of payments for the clients and counsellors to ensure that we meet the turnover requirements for a healthy charity.
To champion the charity and the values at every opportunity.
Who are we looking for:
A positive ‘can do’ attitude with the ability to follow detailed orientated processes.
Ability to work within a small vibrant team that needs both an analytically minded and flexible colleague
We believe in equality of opportunity and understand the value of a diverse mix of talented people that is representative of our community. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender or disability
Applicaton deadline: 3rd October and interviews within a week.
Start date- Within a month of interview.
Job Types: Part-time 18 hours per week, Fixed term contract 12 months
Salary: £22,727.00 per year pro rata
Education: A-Level or equivalent (preferred)
Experience: Administrative: 3 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Edinburgh
CV to - Dawn@bright-light.org.uk
We are always interested to hear from qualified practitioners and therapists.
Practitioners for Couples
We want to hear from you if you:
hold a recognised qualification in relationship counselling at a diploma level or above.
are registered therapists with Relate or Relationships Scotland.
are flexible as to when you are able to work as we offer both face-to-face and online counselling during the day and evenings
If you wish to discuss working with Bright Light contact our Counselling Practice Manager Claire Edwards, email:claire@bright-light.org.uk
Practitioners working with Bright Light
Bright Light will provide -
a central Edinburgh location for face-to-face counselling
a license for online working
professional operational support with a dedicated ops staff member
policies and protocols to support your practice when working with Bright Light clients
group supervision
inhouse CPD and access to Relationship Scotland annual programme
