Join the Board of Ascendance

July 16, 2026

We are looking for a new trustee with a finance background to help shape our future, by joining our existing board. As a small charity that runs on grant funding, we want someone who can help us keep our finances clear and well managed, and ready for the next stage of our growth.

About Ascendance

Ascendance is a Dance for Health charity based in Leeds, Bradford and across Yorkshire. We work mainly with people with Parkinson's, people with other neurological conditions, and older people. We run an annual programme of community classes, outreach and workshops, and digital work, and we run a training and performance company, Fuse Dance Collective, whose members perform across the UK and develop their skills as choreographers, teachers and creative directors.

We aim to bring joy, creativity and connection to everything we do, and we have built partnerships with artists and organisations across the North. These include Leeds Rhinos Community Foundation, Karmand Community Centre, Touchstone, Northern Ballet, Leeds Care Delivery Service, LPM Dance, and Bradford 2025.

Ascendance is run by a team of paid employees, freelancers and volunteers. The team answers to the board of trustees, who are all volunteers.

Why we are recruiting a finance trustee

Our income comes mainly from grants and trusts, with restricted and unrestricted funds running side by side, and we report to several funders each year. We want a trustee who can lead the board's understanding of all this, so the rest of us can make decisions with a clear picture of where we stand.

You do not need a background in the arts to apply. We are interested in people who can read a set of accounts, ask useful questions, and help the board make sound financial decisions.

What a trustee does

Trustees set the direction of the charity and make sure it stays true to its purpose. As a trustee you would:

Help set Ascendance's strategy and direction alongside the rest of the board
Make sure Ascendance stays within its charitable aims, the law and its governing document
Oversee the charity's finances, and make sure money is spent in line with funders' terms
Support the staff team and hold it to account
Act in the charity's best interests at all times

The finance trustee role

As our finance trustee you would lead the board's understanding of Ascendance's money. You would not run the day to day bookkeeping, our team and [bookkeeper/accountant] handle that, but you would make sure the board has the information it needs and understands it. In practice you would:

Report on the charity's financial position to the board at each meeting
Work with the team to review budgets, management accounts and cashflow
Help present the annual accounts and support the independent examination
Advise the board on financial risk, reserves, and the finances behind new projects and funding bids
Make sure financial controls are in place and followed
Explain financial information in plain language to trustees who do not have a finance background

What we are looking for

We want to hear from anyone who shares our values and wants to help us improve the health and wellbeing of older adults and people with movement conditions. For this role we are looking for someone with finance skills, whether those come from paid work, voluntary roles, or running an organisation or business.

Finance experience that would help

A finance, accountancy or bookkeeping background, whether qualified or qualified by experience
Experience of charity or not for profit finance, including restricted and unrestricted funds
Experience of budgets, management accounts, cashflow forecasting or financial reporting
Experience of grant funding, including reporting to funders
The ability to explain financial information in plain language

We would also welcome

Experience of working in or creating disability-led arts
Experience of working with young people
Experience of empowering communities and bringing people together
Broad professional networks in Leeds or Yorkshire, in community arts or local business

We do not expect one person to have all of this. We want people from all backgrounds, communities and experiences to be part of Ascendance, both in how the charity is run and in the stories we tell. We know many people are not sure what being a trustee involves. If you have not been on a board before, please do not let that put you off, and please get in touch if you would like to talk it through.

Time commitment

The board meets 4 times a year, [online and in Leeds]
Meetings last around 2 hours
As finance trustee you would spend a little extra time reviewing accounts before meetings and speaking with the team in sub groups where required.
Trustees are appointed for a minimum term of 2 years
The role is voluntary and unpaid, and we cover reasonable expenses, including travel

What you would get from it

A direct part in shaping a growing charity
The chance to use your finance skills for a cause you care about
Experience of charity governance, useful if you are building towards a board career
A friendly, committed board and team to work alongside

How to apply

To apply, send a short covering email and your CV to classes@ascendance.org.uk. Tell us about yourself, your finance experience, and why you would like to join the board. If you would prefer to talk first, call us on 07933 685359 or email us and we will arrange a time.