Become a Trustee
Help us make BDEF the best it can be
Passionate about amplifying Disabled people's voices? Want to connect with others in Bristol? Why not join our Trustees and use your skills to make a difference!
“BDEF is a way for us to create community and come together, whether that’s to relax, create or fight for our rights.”
Jesse Cooper, Trustee and Equalities lead
What does a Trustee do?
A Trustee does not get involved in the day-to-day work of BDEF. That is done by the staff team. The job of a Trustee is to look after the organisation as a whole.
There are around 10 Trustee meetings each year, held online, in person, or hybrid. We encourage attendance where possible and ask that you let us know if you can’t make a meeting.
There are also opportunities to get involved in the AGM, member meetings and sub-committees alongside other development opportunities.
Role requirements
To apply to become a Trustee for BDEF you need to:
- Be over the age of 18.
- Identity as a Disabled person. You can self-identify yourself as a Disabled person. You do not need any proof from anyone else.
- Live or work in Bristol or the surrounding area.
- Be able to show you understand the challenges and barriers faced by Disabled people
- Be able to work as part of a team.
Our full role description will give you more detail on what our Trustees do.
Apply to be a BDEF trustee
Trustee recruitment is open all year round however we only review applications in our recruitment rounds in spring and autumn.
This may mean a delay in picking up your application but please be reassured that it will be picked up!
Alternative application formats
If you would like the application pack in an alternative format, just let us know! This might be in plain text, easy read or just simply a word document rather than being online.
We also accept applications in written word, voice recording or video. If you'd prefer to use one of these methods, use the questions on the application form and send your response to the email below.
Our recruitment commitment
We recognise that the Disabled people’s movement hasn’t always been as actively inclusive as it should’ve been whilst there are some demographics over-represented in charitable spaces.
Therefore, we are trying to make sure our trustee board reflects the Disabled people community in Bristol.
We encourage everyone to apply but particularly encourage people with intersectional experiences to get in touch, including:
- Disabled people who are Black, Brown or from racially minoritised communities.
- Disabled non-binary, trans or gender fluid people.
- People with lived experience of forced migration.
- LGBTQIA+ Disabled people.
- Any other Disabled people with lived experience of multiple marginalisations.