SLOW, an award-winning charity supporting bereaved families, is excited to welcome an experienced Chair to lead our Board of Trustees, when our current Chair retires in June 2026. The appointee will be tasked with moving the organisation to the next level in delivering the sustainable growth of its bereavement services.

ABOUT SLOW

Based in London, SLOW has offered emotional and practical support since 2007 to bereaved families that have lost a child in any circumstances. Our unique approach to working with parents and siblings is highly regarded by our members and professionals and we have won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups.

Our work is centred around regular support groups for bereaved parents and adult siblings, and creative workshops for bereaved younger siblings. These are facilitated by bereaved parents and siblings who have been trained by SLOW. Over the years SLOW has helped a great many bereaved parents and siblings by enabling them to share their experiences and our members regularly refer to our groups as a ‘lifeline’. Our model of bereavement support is unique in London and is a direct response to what bereaved parents have told us they need.

SLOW is a registered charity – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation – with an income of currently circa £200k each year. We have a strong Board of nine Trustees (including the Chair), with a stable resource base and a range of income sources –some annual, some on 3/5-year grant commitments and other community fundraising. The organisation has one part-time employee who is its Director, and a team of self-employed contractors or volunteers who act as bereavement facilitators or provide business management support. More information, including annual reports, accounts and details of Trustees can be found here on our website.

Role and overview of responsibilities

The Chair of SLOW is entrusted with the vital task of leading the Board of Trustees and its Director to ensure it fulfils its legal and governance responsibilities while remaining true to the mission and values of the charity.

The Chair of SLOW is entrusted with the vital task of leading the Board of Trustees and its Director to ensure it fulfils its legal and governance responsibilities while remaining true to the mission and values of the charity.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engaged individual to come into SLOW and utilise their extensive charity governance experience to help the charity on its strategic journey. As the Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will play a pivotal role in guiding and further developing the charity’s strategic direction and acting as an ambassador for the organisation. The Chair will be required to lead the Board to
consensus-based decisions, as well as provide strategic and critical support to its Director. The Chair will ensure that the organisation continues to fulfil its objectives and work towards its goals and mission, while also promoting the highest standards of charity governance. The Chair reports to the Board of Trustees.

In this role, the Chair will be expected to fulfil the following responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Guide SLOW and its Board of Trustees to maximise impact in support for its members.
• Ensure Trustees fulfil their governance duties effectively.
• Oversee that the Board of Trustees operates exclusively within its charitable objectives and provides clear strategic direction.
• Facilitate regular review of major risks and opportunities, with systems in place for mitigation.
• Uphold sound financial health and accountability for the charity.

Governance

• Ensure governance arrangements are effective and appropriate for the charity’s needs.
• Promote continuous development of the Board of Trustees’ knowledge and capabilities.
• Ensure the Board of Trustees maintains a balanced mix of skills, experience, and representation from the wider community.
• Operate within agreed policies adopted by SLOW.

External Relations 

• Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the cause and SLOW.
• Represent SLOW at external functions, meetings, and events.
• Build and maintain key relationships with external stakeholders, including funders, government bodies and partners.

Efficiency and Effectiveness

• Chair Board of Trustee meetings impartially and efficiently, ensuring objectivity in decision-making.
• Engage Trustees fully and encourage collective ownership of decisions.
• Foster constructive relationships between Trustees, Director and staff through a culture of open communication, collaboration and mutual respect.
• Collaborate with the Director to guide policymaking and ensure meetings are purposeful and well-planned.
• Monitor the implementation of the Board of Trustees’ decisions.

Relationship with the Director

• Develop a strong and constructive working relationship with the Director, providing appropriate support and oversight.
• Support the Director’s professional development and ensure access to external professional support.
• Conduct annual appraisals and remuneration reviews for the Director in partnership with other Trustees.
• Maintain open, supportive communication channels for discussing challenges and concerns.
• Maintain oversight of SLOW’s affairs, in liaison with the Director.

The responsibilities listed are indicative, and the Chair is expected to undertake additional duties as reasonably required to fulfil the role.

Candidate Specification 

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the following:

• A strong and visible passion and commitment to SLOW’s vision, mission and values in providing unique, impactful bereavement support following the death of a child.
• A convincing understanding of the nature of parents’ and/or siblings’ needs in bereavement – preferably, but not essentially, gained through lived experience.
• Experience operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation – capable of leading a Board and supporting an executive team  to develop and deliver a strategic plan.
• Excellent inter-personal and relationship-building abilities, comfortable in an ambassadorial role representing SLOW both internally and externally.
• The ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy, with a focus on listening  and engaging constructively with diverse stakeholders, in what can sometimes be difficult or sensitive circumstances.
• The ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment across the organisation.

Desirable but not essential:

• Strong networking capabilities that can be leveraged for the benefit of SLOW.
• Experience in charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees.
• Experience chairing meetings effectively, ensuring that business is carried out to conclusion and that all voices are heard, and opinions considered.
• Expertise in financial and risk management and a broad understanding of charity finance and related issues.
• A thorough understanding of good charity governance and compliance requirements.

Term and time commitment

The Chair, along with other Trustees, will serve a three-year term and may be re-appointed for additional terms by the Board of Trustees, up to a maximum of four terms (total 12 years).

The role does not carry financial remuneration, however reasonable expenses for travel may be reimbursed, in line with SLOW’s expenses policy.

As a small charity, this is a hands-on, actively engaged role in supporting the executive team and line-managing the Director, as well as chairing the Board of Trustees and attending sub-committees of the Board as appropriate. The workload varies and is in the order of 2-3 days per month. The below is an indication of how the Chair may spend their time:

• Board Meetings: Quarterly, 2-hour board meetings, currently alternating in-person meetings in Islington, North London and virtually via Teams.
• Strategy Awayday: 1 day per year.
• Attendance at Sub-Committee Meetings: Quarterly, 1 hour, virtually via Teams.
• Line management of SLOW’s Director: 1:1 calls, at least one hour per month, and ad hoc as required.
• Attendance at internal or external events to represent SLOW occasionally

Application Process

Please apply by sending a CV and covering letter of no more than two A4 pages describing your interest in, and suitability for, this role to recruitment@slowgroup.co.uk.

We aim to contact shortlisted candidates during the final week of April. There will then be two rounds of interview with members of the Board of Trustees, with those successful after the first round being invited to the second. Interviews will be in person or via video conferencing, as the situation allows. Those through to second round will also be invited to meet with the Charity Director.

Appointment in this role is subject to a satisfactory DBS and reference checks.

Formal appointment will be made by the Board at its meeting on 9 June 2026, which the successful candidate will be expected to attend in person (in Islington, North London).

Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to building a Board of Trustees that reflects the diversity of the communities we work with and support. We believe that a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds strengthens our governance and enhances our ability to make well-informed decisions.

We actively encourage applications from individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and communities – particularly those who are currently underrepresented in charity leadership, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those with lived experience relevant to our work. We particularly encourage applications from people who have an interest in and understanding of bereavement and mental health.

SLOW, a charity supporting bereaved families, is seeking trustees with strategic planning experience and compliance/charity law experience to move the organisation to the next level.

ABOUT SLOW

Based in London, SLOW (Surviving the Loss of Your World) has offered emotional and practical support for over thirteen years to bereaved families that have lost a child in any circumstances. Our unique approach to working with parents and siblings is highly regarded by our members and professionals and we have won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups.

Our work is centred around regular support groups for bereaved parents and quarterly creative workshops for bereaved siblings. Over the years SLOW has helped numerous bereaved parents by enabling them to share their experiences and our members regularly refer to our groups as a ‘lifeline’. Our model of bereavement support is unique in London and is a direct response to what bereaved parents have told us they need.

SLOW is a registered charity with an income of currently circa £140k each year. We have a strong group of six trustees, some of whom have been in post since the charity’s inception and others appointed more recently following a review, skills and needs audit. Each year two trustees step down but are eligible for re-election.

The charity has a stable resource base with a range of income sources – some annual, some on 3-year commitments and other funding resulting from planned and targeted approaches. The organisation has two employees and a team of ten facilitators as well as a strong voluntary commitment.  Some volunteers act as group facilitators and others support organisational work or the maintenance of the groups. More information, including annual reports, accounts and details of trustees can be seen on the website.

ABOUT THE ROLES

SLOW is seeking individuals with skills and experience in the following areas: clinical expertise in bereavement work, charity law and compliance, IT and also parents who have lost a child themselves.

The trustees would assist with the development of SLOW’s strategic plan and vision and help increase the charity’s impact and influence. There is the opportunity for one of the trustees to move into the Chair of Trustee’s role later down the line.

We are particularly interested to hear from trustees with knowledge or experience of:

• Accountancy/finance
• Fundraising
• Bereaved Parent/Sibling

General responsibilities 

• To ensure that SLOW complies with its governing document, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• To ensure that the charity applies its resources to pursue the objectives outlined in the Constitution.

• To contribute actively to the board of trustees in giving firm strategic direction to SLOW, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

• To safeguard the good name and values of the charity.

• To ensure the effective and efficient administration and financial stability of the charity.

Trustee Specification 

• Strategic vision and ability to think creatively.

• Good, independent judgement.

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

• Experience of committee work and governance of a small charity.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

• An understanding of bereavement and/or social and health care systems.

TIME COMMITMENT

There are currently four Trustee Board meetings a year, plus a strategy away day. These are usually held in Islington, North London.

The post is unremunerated, though reasonable travel expenses will be covered.

APPLICATIONS

Please apply by sending a CV and covering letter of no more than two A4 pages describing your interest in, and suitability for, this role to  recruitment@slowgroup.co.uk.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the current Chair and members of the Trustee Board, in person or via video conferencing, as the situation allows.

SLOW is committed to inclusivity and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We encourage applications from people who have an interest in and understanding of bereavement and mental health. This role is subject to a DBS.

ABOUT SLOW

Based in London, SLOW has offered emotional and practical support to bereaved families that have lost a child in any circumstances for over eleven years. Our unique approach to working with parents and siblings is highly regarded by our members and professionals, and we have
recently won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Our work is centred around regular support groups for bereaved parents and quarterly creative workshops for bereaved siblings. Since SLOW began, we have drawn on our own experience as bereaved parents and built a community that supports itself.

SLOW currently runs weekly daytime support groups in person in North, South & South West London, as well as monthly evening support groups in North London and online.

The Role

Purpose of role
To assist with the ongoing facilitation of established groups in North London (Islington) support groups. You will also communicate with bereaved parent members outside of the groups, attend supervision and meetings. This is a self-employed, sessional role
that will require travel to support group venue(s) and work from home.

Location
This role will require attendance at our support group venue in North London (Wednesdays 10.30-1pm and/or monthly Thursday evenings 6.30-9pm). Other duties will be carried out at home – the facilitator must have access to a computer and telephone. SLOW will pay direct expenses relating to the role (e.g. telephone,
broadband, and stationery charges) and travel where agreed.

Hours
Hours to be mutually agreed but likely to be between ten and 15 hours per week month during school term time (39 weeks per year) @ approximately £22 per hour with the potential
for more hours.

Role description

SLOW is looking for an exceptional individual for this exciting role to:

• Facilitate support group/s in North London taking place on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays in term time (exact location to be confirmed).
• Attend debrief sessions, clinical supervision and write reports on group meetings with your co facilitator
• Provide direction to volunteers as required
• Correspond with bereaved parents by telephone and email to guide them into the groups or signpost them to other services
• Attend regular team meetings

Essential Experience

• A bereaved parent of at least 3 years, please note that this is essential for the role.
• Group facilitation experience in a formal setting – i.e. health, self-help, well- being etc and
  / or personal experience as a participant attending an organised support / self-help
  experiential group – e.g.  bereavement support group, group facilitation training, church
  group, etc.
• Commitment to SLOW’s open and reflective way of working with parents, embodying a
  kind and compassionate stance
• Excellent listening skills

Desirable Experience

• Good telephone, IT and communication skills
• An interest in the principles, literature and experiences of grieving for a child or sibling and
  a commitment to exploring how this can be used to help bereaved parents and families

Application Process

Please apply by sending a CV and covering letter of no more than two A4 pages describing your interest in, and suitability for, this role to recruitment@slowgroup.co.uk by COB on Mon 21st June 2026.

If you don’t feel you meet all the essential criteria, we do encourage applications. If you would like an informal chat before applying, please contact us on recruitment@slowgroup.co.uk.