Panel Member for High Sheriff and Merseyside Police Charitable Fund – Role Description
Volunteer Position
Number of positions available – 2
Background
The High Sheriff and Merseyside Police Charitable Fund has been managed by the Community Foundation for Merseyside since 2009. Since the fund began, a total of £391,850 has been awarded to 226 groups across Merseyside.
At a local level in our communities, incredible work is taking place to support young people, offering them alternatives to and education about becoming involved in gangs, crime and anti-social behaviour. This work is very often led by local community groups and grass roots charities who are an essential link in our work to create safe, thriving communities, underpinning the crime prevention work of Merseyside Police. If our young people and communities thrive then so will we all. Through the High Sheriff and Merseyside Police Charitable Fund we are able to strategically direct charitable donations to support those local groups and organisations.
The High Sheriff and Merseyside Police Charitable Fund aims to promote a safer and increased quality of life through the prevention of crime and the protection of people and property from harm or fear of harm, and/or criminal acts for the benefit of the public in and around Merseyside. The fund also seeks to support and raise awareness to help communities be and feel safe and to increase provision of diversionary activities and facilities that engage children and young people and which create long-term impact in preventing and reducing their vulnerability to crime and in engaging in anti-social behaviour.
The fund is open to applications from voluntary and community groups from Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral and St Helens. Depending on the amount of funding available the fund is open once or twice a year to receive applications and groups can apply for up to £2500 to fund a particular project and to help with their work. Decisions on the applications are made by a panel comprising representatives from the Police, the current High Sheriff and previous High Sheriffs and relevant experts in crime prevention.
Role
To be a member of the panel for the High Sheriff and Merseyside Police Charitable Fund, and to bring your expertise to help make decisions about applications for funding from charitable groups.
To prepare for decision meetings by reading and considering grant applications which seek to make a contribution to crime prevention in Merseyside.
To add your voice and lived experience to assist the panel in their decisions and strategy.
The panel member role will be of interest to anyone who is interested in learning about grant making, or who may be interested in a future career in fundraising.
A panel member can be any age over 18.
Time Commitment
Around 4 meetings a year that can last approximately 90 minutes. At least one of these meetings, and possibly two, will involve making decisions about which grant applications to fund.
Before the decision meeting, a commitment to spend time reading between 25 - 40 grant applications during the week leading up to this.
Person Specification
Essential
A commitment to the objectives of the High Sheriff and Merseyside Police Charitable Fund panel and Community Foundation for Merseyside.
Time to commit effectively in order to prepare for panel meetings.
To attend panel meetings which will be scheduled in advance based on panel member’s availability. Meetings are held on weekdays during office hours, either at the Community Foundation Office on Hanover Street, or Police HQ on Cazneau Street.
Willingness to commit to be on the panel for 3 years.
An understanding of the voluntary and community sector in Merseyside.
Readiness to contribute to discussions and to challenge different views constructively.
Willingness to consider grant applications which will discuss crime, including violent crime.
Desirable
Experience working with young people to reduce their vulnerability to crime, and/or supporting victims and survivors of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the voluntary and community sector, either in a paid or voluntary capacity.
We are particularly keen to receive applications from people who are part of diverse ethnic communities, from people living with disabilities, and from people who identify as LGBTQ+.
Further Information
Information regarding Community Foundation for Merseyside can be found at Community Foundation (cfmerseyside.org.uk)
The Community Representative role is unpaid and voluntary. Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
A panel member is to be independent and must highlight any conflicts of interest that arise, for example, if a charitable group were to apply to the fund which a panel member has links to.
To apply, we would ask for a CV and brief statement of up to 250 words detailing your voluntary and community sector experience and why you are interested in being a panel member. If shortlisted, Community Foundation for Merseyside will invite you for an informal interview to find out more about you. If you would like to discuss this role or would like to apply, please contact or send your application to david.costelloe@cflm.org.uk or telephone 0151 294 4357.
Closing Date – 5pm on Wednesday 19th October.
