Trustee Pack Trustee of the Board An introduction from Jim Hartshorne, Chair of the Board: Bamboozle needs to represent the communities we work in and the families we engage at all levels of our company. We are proud of the diversity of our existing board of trustees who bring a wide range of skills, experiences and backgrounds to our team but we always challenge ourselves to be even better and are now looking to grow our trustee team. Our board is a fun and rewarding place to be. We work together, helping to support the charity in decision making, providing a level of governance our key funding partners recognise as best in class and achieving its mission of creating incredible work with learning disabled and autistic young people and their families. As Chair, it's a constant pleasure to lead this board and I have learnt so much in the process. I very much look forward to hearing from prospective new Trustees, and learning about the skills, experiences and personal insight they can bring to our company. In this pack you will find: About Bamboozle Theatre Company ........................................................... 2 ............................................................................................................ 4 Criteria & Role .................................................................................................. 5 Application process The Bamboozle team............................................................................................... 7 1 About Bamboozle creating transformative experiences for learning disabled young people Too often in our society learning disabled children, and their families, are not heard; they are left out, made to feel that they don’t belong, let alone have their voices heard. Many of the children and young people we work with are unable to speak for themselves. They can’t express themselves in ways that most of us take for granted. But they do have things to say. What we do at Bamboozle is to unlock the doors to enable them to find their own voice. We do it by producing immersive accessible theatre which tours nationally and internationally, delivering schools projects in the UK and working with families locally and in China. Our vision We want to see a time when all learning disabled young people are heard, however they choose to express themselves. Our vision is to ensure every young person has equitable access to the power of creativity. 2 ‘The renowned Bamboozle Theatre Company are world leaders in creating immersive, accessible theatre for children with disabilities.’ Claire Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Centre Melbourne Visit our website or our Youtube channel to learn more Who are we? We are a small team of core staff but have a large, crucial freelance artist network who help us create and deliver our work. We work a mix of full and part time hours with flexible working arrangements. Our studios are based just outside of central Leicester where we have offices and rehearsal space. Where are we? Leicester is a culturally diverse city with outstanding history, a fantastic arts and culture heritage and great transport links. It was recently named the fourth most vibrant city in the UK (Top Cities Vibrancy Report, 2023), the best city in the East Midlands to live and work (Good Growth for Cities Index, 2023) and most recently the fifth best city for creatives in the UK (Adobe, 2024). You might know Leicester for the King in the car park, the football club or for hosting the largest Diwali Festival outside of India. Leicester is that and more. We are passionate about our city, our community and our families. 3 Criteria and Role Role Criteria: Primary criteria that must be met: one parent/carer of a young person described as having PMLD. one parent/carer of an Autistic young person. Secondary criteria – we will give preference to the following areas: an individual of Asian/Asian British/Black/Black British/Mixed Background. an individual with artistic experience. Role Description: Trustees are volunteers, and as such no payment can be made for their services as a Trustee. Trustees must be aged 16 or above. Trustees meet 4 times per year, ideally in person in Leicester, with the ability to join meetings via online video calls as an option. Trustees must help Bamboozle to obey the law and meet its charitable aims. Trustees act as ambassadors for Bamboozle, helping to advocate for the work we do. Trustees do not need to have previous experience of being a Trustee, Governor, or Director. Trustees should be honest, and ready to make decisions that act in the public interest. Trustees should be happy to give reasons for how they reached decisions and must be sure that they are acting in a way which does not discriminate against others. Trustees must not seek to gain any benefit for themselves through their role. 4 Application Process Application Window: th th 19 May - 27 June 2025 How to apply: Informal chats with our Operations Manager Bob are available to ask more about the charity or the role of a trustee. We will accept applications during the application window, assessing applications received on a rolling basis. We may contact applicants for informal conversations with final decision on those we would like to invite to join our board of Trustees made in late July/early August. To apply, please submit a letter no longer than 2 sides of A4 explaining why you would want to be considered as a Trustee, how you meet our criteria, and briefly what skills and experience you think you could bring to the charity. If you would like to receive any documents or submit your application in an alternative format, for example a short video, or any support in completing your application, please email Bob Christer at bob@bamboozletheatre.co.uk or call us on 0116 255 2065. Submit to info@bamboozletheatre.co.uk – all applicants will receive a short response confirming receipt and decision timeline. 5 Application Process Shortlisting At least two members of our executive team and existing Trustees will shortlist applicants. Those who we choose not to shortlist will receive a written response outlining where we felt others had given stronger evidence against all our criteria, including the role description. Informal conversations In lieu of an interview, all shortlisted applicants will be invited for an informal conversation with a member of the executive and existing Trustee. This is a chance to find out more about the role, Bamboozle’s current health and aims for the future, and for Bamboozle to find out more about the applicant. We anticipate limiting our shortlist to two individuals we feel best meet the criteria and role description we have outlined. In terms of the role description, we may choose to select an individual who we feel has the best ability to meet the role description, as opposed to those who have the most experience. Invite to observe a board meeting Those who we deem to be most suitable in line with our criteria and the role description will be invited to attend our September board meeting. Assuming existing Trustees are happy to endorse, and prospective Trustees wish to join, we will aim to formally appoint new Trustees in December 2025. Thank you for your interest in working with Bamboozle and we look forward to receiving your application. 6 The Bamboozle team Sue Pyecroft Christopher Davies Ruth Lee Co-founder & Director: Co-founder & Artistic Executive Director Families & Community Director Fern Reid Tina Smith Bob Christer Families & Community Development Manager Operations Manager Project Manager India Smith Jennifer Murphy Natalie Ventrone Tours Coordinator Theatre & Touring Education & Training Project Manager Project Manager Kit Fordham David Hately Bella Ramsey Company & Marketing Company & Production Patron Co-ordinator Technical Manager 7