Volunteer Chair of Family Matters Group

Chair of the Family Matters Group (Volunteer Role)

Could your experience help shape better support for people and families?

At Avenues, we believe that families, unpaid carers and friends bring invaluable insight into what great support looks like. Their experiences help us learn, improve and ensure that the people we support receive high-quality, safe and person-centred services.

We are looking for an independent Chair to lead our Family Matters Group and help ensure that family voices continue to influence how Avenues develops its services now and in the future.

This is a rewarding volunteer opportunity for someone with lived experience of supporting a person with a learning disability, autism and/or acquired brain injury (ABI), who is passionate about making a positive difference.

As Chair, you will play a key role in creating meaningful opportunities for families to share their experiences and perspectives, ensuring that their insights lead to real influence and tangible improvements.

Working closely with Family Matters Group members and Avenues colleagues, you will guide discussions, help identify key themes and priorities, and ensure that families feel heard, respected and valued.

The role also provides an important link between the Family Matters Group and Avenues' governance structures. You will attend Quality Committee meetings, sharing family feedback, highlighting emerging issues and offering constructive challenge where appropriate.

We are looking for someone who;

• can listen thoughtfully, communicate clearly and represent a broad range of perspectives fairly and objectively.
• will be confident in building positive relationships while also providing appropriate challenge when needed.
• will have a genuine commitment to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autistic people and those with acquired brain injuries, together with the families and friends who support them.

To maintain the independence and credibility of the role, applicants must not currently have a family member supported by Avenues. The successful candidate will be able to represent the collective voice of families rather than individual circumstances.

Typically, the role involves:

• Quarterly Family Matters Group meetings (in person, Sidcup).
• Quarterly Avenues Quality, Local Focus and Engagement Committee meetings (virtual).
• One annual Quality, Local Focus and Engagement Away Day (in person, Sidcup).
• Preparation time for meetings, reports and engagement activities.

Although this is an unpaid volunteer role, Avenues will provide:

• A comprehensive induction programme.
• Ongoing support from senior colleagues.
• Access to relevant training and development opportunities.
• Reimbursement of reasonable, pre-approved expenses in line with Avenues' expenses policy.

The appointment is for an initial term of three years, with the possibility of a further three-year term by mutual agreement.

If you are passionate about ensuring that families have a genuine voice in shaping services and want to help drive positive change, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal chat feel free to contact our Recruitment team.