Volunteer Expert By Expirence Board

The *Expert by Experience Board* is made up of people with lived experience of disability, health conditions, or caring roles. The board helps guide and shape our organisation’s work to make sure disabled voices are heard and respected in all decisions.

What difference will you make?

Joining Ability Life as an Expert by Experience trustee offers a unique opportunity to make a **direct and lasting impact** on both the organisation and the disabled community we serve. Your role will ensure that lived experience is central to every aspect of our work, from strategy and governance to service delivery and community engagement. By sharing your insights, you will help the board understand the real challenges faced by disabled people and guide decisions that are meaningful, practical, and inclusive.

Your contribution will be vital in shaping services and opportunities that truly meet the needs of our community. We deliver a wide range of activities, from social meet-ups and skills programs to inclusive events and awareness campaigns. Your perspective will help identify barriers that might not be visible to professionals, and ensure our programs are accessible, welcoming, and genuinely user-led. This will increase the impact of our work, enabling more disabled people to connect, develop skills, and feel part of a supportive community.

The role also strengthens our organisation’s credibility and authenticity. Trustees with lived experience demonstrate that Ability Life not only listens to the people it supports but also **acts on their insights at a strategic level**. This visibility is important for building trust with service users, partners, and funders, helping us expand our reach and secure resources to deliver more meaningful projects. By contributing to strategic discussions, subcommittees, and key initiatives, you will help guide our development, influence policy decisions, and ensure that the charity remains focused on its mission of inclusion and opportunity.

Ultimately, your work as a trustee will **empower disabled people, reduce social isolation, and promote equality and inclusion across the West Midlands**. You will help shape a charity that is not only responsive to the community but also driven by the experiences and insights of the people it serves. Your involvement will create tangible, positive change, ensuring that Ability Life continues to grow, innovate, and deliver opportunities that genuinely improve lives.

This role is more than governance—it is a chance to **use your lived experience to influence decisions, improve services, and make a meaningful difference**. By joining our board, you will leave a lasting legacy, ensuring that the voices of disabled people are heard, valued, and acted upon at every level of the organisation.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking committed, passionate individuals to join our board of trustees who share our vision of creating inclusive communities where disabled people can thrive. Trustees play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of our organisation, ensuring it is well-managed, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of the people we support.

The ideal trustee will be someone who brings a combination of skills, experience, and lived insight that can help us make informed decisions and achieve our goals. We are looking for individuals who are confident, collaborative, and open-minded, able to work effectively as part of a diverse team while respecting differing perspectives. Integrity, reliability, and a commitment to equality and inclusion are essential qualities, as trustees hold legal and ethical responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of disability, long-term health conditions, or caring roles. This experience is highly valuable in helping us ensure that the services, policies, and activities we develop truly reflect the needs of the communities we serve. However, we also value professional experience and expertise that can strengthen the board’s capacity, including areas such as finance, law, human resources, governance, fundraising, community engagement, education, and health and social care.

Communication skills are crucial. Trustees need to listen actively, contribute ideas constructively, and advocate effectively for the organisation when engaging with stakeholders, partners, and funders. Strategic thinking and the ability to consider long-term implications of decisions are highly valued, as trustees help guide organisational planning and risk management. Problem-solving skills, creativity, and the ability to approach challenges with a solutions-focused mindset will help the board respond effectively to changing circumstances and opportunities.

We are looking for trustees who are curious and willing to learn. While experience on boards is desirable, it is not essential; we value enthusiasm, commitment, and the ability to engage thoughtfully in governance discussions. A willingness to dedicate time to board meetings, subcommittees, and occasional events is also important, as trustees help shape and monitor the organisation’s work and impact.

Ultimately, we are looking for people who are driven by a shared purpose to make a meaningful difference in the lives of disabled people and their communities. The right trustee will combine practical skills, lived experience, and a collaborative spirit to help ensure that the organisation remains accountable, sustainable, and focused on delivering positive change.

If you are motivated by inclusion, equality, and making a tangible impact, and you have the willingness to contribute your knowledge, experience, and perspective to our board, we would love to hear from you.

What will you be doing?

Ability Life is a charity dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for disabled people, with a focus on tackling isolation, building community, and supporting individuals to thrive. We are looking for an **Expert by Experience trustee** to join our board, bringing lived experience of disability to the heart of our decision-making and helping to shape the future of our work.

Our board is made up of a diverse group of trustees with a mix of professional and personal experience, including backgrounds in education, social care, and community development. While we have strong expertise in governance and service delivery, we want to strengthen the voice of those with direct experience of disability. We know that the best decisions come when the people who understand the challenges firsthand have a clear role in shaping strategy, services, and opportunities.

As a trustee, you will help guide the charity through a period of growth and change. Key challenges for the board include expanding our reach across the West Midlands, increasing engagement with isolated individuals, and developing innovative programs that meet the real-life needs of disabled people. You will have the chance to influence **how our services are designed and delivered**, ensuring they are accessible, inclusive, and truly reflective of the communities we serve.

Your role will include **attending regular board meetings, contributing to strategic planning, and supporting key initiatives**. You may also be invited to participate in subcommittees, such as those focused on community engagement, service development, or fundraising. This is an opportunity not just to oversee the charity’s work, but to actively shape it, offering insights and guidance based on your own experiences. Your perspective will help the board identify gaps, create meaningful opportunities, and ensure our services are genuinely user-led.

Joining Ability Life as a trustee is a chance to make a tangible difference. You will help us tackle social isolation, promote inclusion, and empower disabled people to live fuller, more connected lives. By bringing your lived experience to the board, you will **ensure that our strategy, policies, and projects are grounded in the realities faced by the people we support**. This is a role where your voice is valued, your insights can influence real change, and your experience can help shape the future of a growing and impactful charity.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about disability advocacy and wants to make a lasting contribution to their community. You do not need prior board experience to apply – what matters most is your lived experience, your commitment to improving the lives of disabled people, and your willingness to engage with the board’s work.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a charity that is **innovative, inclusive, and committed to real change**. You will play a key role in helping Ability Life continue to deliver opportunities that make a genuine difference, and in ensuring that the voices of disabled people are heard, respected, and acted upon at every level of the organisation.