MileShyClub Charity Governance Trustee

MileShyClub is a preventative health charity. We help people who feel excluded from traditional fitness settings become more active, supporting their physical and mental health now and reducing the risk of health problems in the future. We do this through welcoming running, walking, mental health and Restore groups. Our guiding principle is simple: no one gets left behind.

We are growing and looking for experienced people to help guide our next stage. Charity Governance is one of three areas we are prioritising as we strengthen our board. This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

The opportunity

We are looking for a trustee who can help the board make clear, well-recorded decisions and keep our governance fit for a growing charity. You will contribute to work on our constitution, conflicts of interest, risk, succession, trustee induction and compliance with Charity 

Commission requirements.

You will bring governance experience to board discussions, but you will not carry sole responsibility for compliance or act as MileShyClub’s day-to-day administrator.

What you will bring

You have practical charity governance or board secretariat experience and can turn rules into workable processes. Experience of CIOs, regulatory reporting, charity risk management or fundraising rules would be useful.

You do not need previous trustee experience if you can demonstrate relevant knowledge and sound judgement.

The shared trustee role

All trustees help set MileShyClub’s direction, oversee performance and risk, support and challenge the CEO, and make decisions collectively in the charity’s best interests. We value people who listen, challenge respectfully and understand the communities we serve.

Our Chair is Bram Appleton, and Jane Dennison is our Founder and CEO.

Time and support

Board meetings are expected around four times a year, with preparation and occasional involvement between meetings. We will confirm the current schedule and time commitment before interview. The role is unpaid, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed. Induction, guidance and opportunities to see our work are provided.

How to apply

Email hello@mileshyclub.com by 5 pm on Friday 6 November 2026. Please include the role or roles that interest you, a CV or short experience summary, and a brief statement explaining why MileShyClub matters to you and what relevant experience you would bring. An audio statement is welcome instead of a written statement.

Please let us know if you need an adjustment or a different application format. You can also email us to request an informal conversation.

Interviews are proposed for Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19 November 2026, with alternative arrangements if needed.

We welcome applications from people whose voices and experience are under-represented on charity boards, including people with lived experience of the barriers MileShyClub addresses. Please see the MileShyClub trustee recruitment pack for more about the charity, our other priority roles and the selection process.

Recruitment Pack:

MileShyClub trustee recruitment pack

Finance  |  HR and People  |  Charity Governance

We are looking for experienced people to join MileShyClub’s board during a period of significant growth and help guide us through our next stage.

We are particularly seeking trustees with expertise in finance, HR and people, and charity governance. We are also keen to hear from people who bring other relevant experience or perspectives. This pack explains the role shared by all trustees, our priority vacancies and how to apply. You are welcome to express interest in more than one area.

About MileShyClub

MileShyClub is a preventative health charity founded in 2017. We support people who feel intimidated by exercise or who do not see traditional fitness environments as places for them. Through welcoming, beginner-friendly activities, we help people become more active, improve their long-term health and have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. Our guiding principle is simple: no one gets left behind.

Across South Manchester, we currently deliver 16 beginner running clubs, 12 beginner walking clubs, 4 stretch and meditation sessions (Restore), and two mental health groups that incorporate physical activity taster sessions (MeetUp). Our Out and About project in 2 locations combines walking with monthly excursions. Other projects include beginner Peak District walks, Refugee Run Club, dog walks and a range of one-off activities and events such as our popular Santa Dash. We have several exciting new projects in development.

Our board and the opportunity

MileShyClub is growing, and we want a board with the experience to help us grow safely and sustainably. Trustees work together to set our direction, oversee finances and risk, and support and challenge the CEO. They make decisions collectively in the charity’s best interests. A trustee with specialist expertise contributes that knowledge to the whole board; they are not expected to manage that area or run day-to-day activities.

Alongside our priority vacancies, we would particularly welcome interest from people who live or work within South Asian or disabled communities; people who have worked within the healthcare system, and people who understand how to take a charity from local delivery towards national reach in a safe, structured way. These are examples, and we welcome other experience that could help MileShyClub and the people we serve.

Our Chair is Bram Appleton, and Jane Dennison is our Founder and CEO.

What we are looking for

Role

Contribution and experience

Finance

Help the board understand budgets, cash flow, reserves, restricted funding, controls and the annual accounts. Bring strong financial judgement and an ability to explain it clearly. Charity accounts, SORP, Xero or accountancy experience is useful.

HR and People

Help the board oversee employment and volunteer matters, people policies, organisational culture and fair processes. Bring current HR or employment practice and sound judgement with sensitive issues.

Charity Governance

Help strengthen board decisions, conflicts, risk, succession, induction and compliance with the constitution and Charity Commission rules. Bring practical governance. Knowledge of fundraising rules desirable. 

Commitment and support

Board meetings are expected around four times a year, with preparation and occasional work between meetings. We will confirm the current schedule and time commitment before interview. Trustee roles are voluntary, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed. Induction, guidance and opportunities to see our work are provided. Our constitution does not set a fixed term for new trustees; the board will discuss expectations with each candidate.

How to apply

Email hello@mileshyclub.com by 5 pm on Friday 6 November 2026 with the role or roles that interest you, a CV or short experience summary, and a brief statement covering why MileShyClub matters to you and what relevant experience you would bring. An audio statement is welcome instead of a written statement. Please tell us if you need an adjustment or a different application format. You can also use this address to request an informal conversation.

Recruitment dates

Stage

Proposed timing

Advert opens

Monday 12 October 2026

Applications close

Friday 6 November 2026, 5 pm

Shortlisting

Week beginning 9 November 2026

Interviews

Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19 November 2026, with alternative arrangements if needed

Board appointment decision

Week beginning 23 November 2026, after references and eligibility checks

Induction

From early December 2026

Selection and appointment

We assess applicants against the published role criteria and invite shortlisted candidates for a structured conversation with trustees. We will check references, eligibility to act as a trustee and any potential conflicts before appointment. The trustees appoint new board members at a properly convened meeting. The successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their appointment date.

We welcome applications from people whose voices and experience are under-represented on charity boards, including people with lived experience of the barriers MileShyClub addresses. Previous trustee service is not required. Personal information will be used for this recruitment process.

Further information

The latest constitution, annual report and accounts will be available to candidates on request and supplied to appointed trustees. For an informal conversation or an accessible copy of this pack, email hello@mileshyclub.com.