Charity Trustee

We're looking to recruit 3 new trustees who share our passion and commitment in supporting local families who are struggling to cope with a variety of challenging circumstances.

About Us

Home-Start Guildford is an independent charity based in Guildford committed to promoting the welfare of local families and children. We are part of Home-Start UK, one of the UK’s leading family support charities, benefiting from their policy framework and quality assurance, but not funding. Staff and volunteers offer regular support, including providing emotional and practical help to families in the families’ own homes and connecting families with specialist services within the community.

The Role and What We Are Looking for in a New Trustee

We are looking to recruit 3 additional Trustees to increase the range of skills and experience on the Board. This is essential for us to make the best decisions for Home-Start Guildford and our families. There is no requirement for you to have been a trustee before, however, you do need to be passionate about improving the lives of children and the families we support. You will be good at working with others, ready to speak up and ask questions, be thoughtful and open to learning, and able to stand back to see the bigger picture. You must take the responsibilities of a Trustee seriously.

We are looking to better reflect the experiences of our community, to bring the skills and experiences of diverse Trustees to the Board. We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience in areas such as marketing, fundraising, business strategy, governance, event planning, bid writing, local networks, IT, and media.

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in early years, education, and business. We expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries. Support from local charity-support organisations is always available, and a full induction to our organisation will be provided, including access to external training.

If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees. You’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they handle the day-to-day running of the organisation.

We are a charity, not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board in all meanings of the word and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.

We ask for about six hours of your time per month, and the ability to join face to face board meetings in Guildford that are usually held every 6-8 weeks on a Monday or Friday morning.

What does becoming a trustee involve?

As part of the trustee role, you will be expected to:

• Attend, and prepare for, a minimum of six meetings per year.
• Undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
• Undergo a selection process as outlined by Home-Start Guildford.
• Commit to the legal and financial responsibilities of the role, as outlined in the charity's Constitution (‘Foundation’ model constitution).
• Visit and engage with the office and staff to enhance your understanding of how Home-Start Guildford works.

Training and Support

Trustees are fully inducted into Home-Start before beginning their new role; they will receive:

• An online welcome event and e-learning, introducing Home-Start’s service and your responsibilities.
• Training in key areas including safeguarding.
• Reimbursement of paid expenses.
• Access to Home-Start’s online community via HSUK intranet – full of information and guidance on running a local Home-Start.
• Tailored support by other trustees and staff.

What do you get as a volunteer trustee with our organisation?

• An opportunity to exercise your strategic planning skills, probably in a different environment or context.
• An opportunity to influence and collectively lead an organisation supporting families of young children.
• A chance to expand and implement your understanding of our work.
• A chance to augment your experience of charities.
• A boost to your career and CV, if needed.
• Satisfaction of helping an organisation that supports families, thus giving something back to your community.
• Induction training from us; training, support, and assistance from local charity-support & advice agencies; reimbursement of reasonable expenses, if needed.

• What do we get?
• Your strategic skills, knowledge, understanding, or experience.
• Your abilities to influence plans for our charity’s future, especially in this cost-of-living crisis.
• Enhancement to our overall governance and the Board of trustees; improvement in our operational growth.
• Your participation in our collective decision-making, contributing to all areas of our charity work.
• Your enthusiasm.

For more information, please visit our website.

If you would like more information about becoming a Trustee or would like to talk to a member of staff, please contact the Home-Start Guildford office.

Interested in Applying?

Please forward a CV and completed application form.

You can request an application form from the office or download a copy from our website (Home-Start Guildford).

Home-Start is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity.

Home-Start Guildford is committed to safer recruitment practice as an

important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults

Registered Charity No. 1154609