There are currently no vacancies on the SSA’s Board of Trustees. If you are interested in becoming a board member in the future, read some frequently asked questions below, and follow the SSA on social media for the latest opportunities.
What are the responsibilities of trustees?
The SSA is a registered charity and a limited company. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the strategic direction, governance, policies, and performance of the charity. Every trustee is also a company director, responsible for ensuring that the SSA is governed in accordance with both charity law and company law.
What is the time commitment?
Most trustees should expect to spend:
- three full days per year preparing for and attending board meetings
- two full days per year at the SSA’s Annual Conference
- two to four hours per month preparing for and attending sub-committees
- two to four hours per month on non-meeting work
The benefits of volunteering your time as a trustee include developing new skills and professional networks, raising your profile in the sector, and gaining experience and insights into how charitable organisations work.
Am I eligible to be a trustee?
There are some eligibility and exclusion criteria for being a trustee, set by the Charity Commission – for example, you must be at least 16 years old, and you can’t have an unspent conviction. In addition, the SSA requires applicants to have been a member of the SSA for at least two years in the previous five years, and to have a strong commitment to developing and promoting knowledge in the field of addiction. SSA associates are not eligible to become trustees, or to nominate people.
Please read the trustee role description for more information on the expectations of and requirements for SSA trustees.
What is the application process?
If you have a strong commitment to developing and promoting knowledge in the field of addiction, please consider applying to become a trustee in 2026 by completing the form below. You will be asked to provide:
- supporting statements from two other members of the Society
- a biographical statement (no more than 250 words describing your professional affiliations and experience, qualifications, and research or clinical interests)
- a manifesto (no more than 250 words describing your motivation and goals for serving on the SSA’s Board of Trustees)
- a declaration of interests
Please contact the SSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Calder, if you have any questions or would like to discuss the role.
