Trustee Secretary: Governance & Safeguarding Champion in Brandon

Alumah, a Suffolk charity supporting victims and families affected by domestic abuse, is recruiting trustees. We seek a dedicated Trustee Secretary to strengthen governance and ensure smooth board operations. Ideal for someone organised, reliable, and passionate about community impact.

Becoming a Trustee at Alumah means playing a vital part in transforming the lives of people affected by domestic abuse. Your contribution will strengthen the foundations that allow our frontline work to happen safely, ethically, and effectively. While our practitioners support children, young people, and adults to recognise abuse, stay safe, and rebuild their lives, the Board ensures that the organisation behind them is strong, stable, and able to grow. Your role is central to that stability.

Alumah is at a significant point in its development. Demand for our services continues to rise, and the complexity of the cases we support is increasing. At the same time, we are expanding our accredited programmes, strengthening our digital infrastructure, and developing new income streams to ensure long‑term sustainability. Strong governance is essential during this period of change, and we are seeking trustees who can help guide the organisation with clarity, compassion, and confidence. We are particularly looking for someone with safeguarding experience. As a charity working with survivors from age seven through adulthood, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. A trustee with safeguarding expertise will help ensure our policies remain robust, our practice stays trauma‑informed, and our staff and volunteers are supported to deliver safe, ethical services. Your insight will help the Board make well‑informed decisions that protect both the people we serve and the organisation itself.

Alongside safeguarding, we welcome trustees who bring skills in governance, leadership, charity operations, or community engagement. Fresh perspectives, lived experience, and diversity of thought are deeply valued. As a trustee, you will help shape how the Board functions, how decisions are recorded, and how we continue to strengthen our culture of transparency, accountability, and hope. This is a role with real influence. Your contribution will not be abstract or distant — it will be felt in every counselling session, every group programme, and every young person who learns what a healthy relationship looks like. You will help guide a charity that empowers people to break the cycle of abuse, rebuild relationships, and rediscover safety and confidence.

Our appointment process includes an informal conversation with one or more trustees, followed by a Board decision at a trustee meeting. A DBS check is required for the role, which Alumah will arrange. Must be minimum of 18 years old.

We are looking for someone who wants to make a genuine difference to the lives of people who have experienced the trauma of domestic abuse. Compassion, a drive to help others, and a non‑judgemental approach are essential qualities. Trustees do not need lived experience of domestic abuse; what matters most is a willingness to support, champion, and advocate for those who have. Our ideal trustee is someone who can bring calm, clarity, and thoughtful decision‑making to a charity working with children, young people, and adults at vulnerable points in their lives.

We are particularly seeking a trustee with safeguarding experience. As a charity supporting survivors from age seven upwards, safeguarding is central to everything we do. A trustee with safeguarding expertise will help ensure our policies remain robust, our practice stays trauma‑informed, and our staff and volunteers are equipped to deliver safe, ethical services. This insight strengthens our governance and helps protect both the people we serve and the organisation itself.

We are also looking for someone who can take on the role of Trustee Secretary. This is a key position that supports the smooth running of the Board. The ideal candidate will be organised, reliable, and confident in coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, recording accurate minutes, and maintaining governance records. Strong communication skills are important, as the Secretary helps ensure clear, timely information flows between trustees and the leadership team. This structure enables the Board to make well‑informed, strategic decisions that directly impact the quality of support we provide.

Beyond safeguarding and secretarial responsibilities, we welcome trustees with a wide range of skills and experiences. People with backgrounds in governance, charity operations, leadership, community engagement, or professional expertise relevant to our mission are encouraged to apply. We are committed to diversifying our Board and value fresh perspectives, lived experience, and voices that reflect the communities we serve. Above all, we are looking for someone who believes in creating safer futures for survivors of domestic abuse and who wants to contribute to a charity built on compassion, transparency, and hope.

Alumah is entering an important period of development, and we are looking for a Trustee Secretary who can play a central role in strengthening our governance and supporting the smooth running of our Board. As a small but ambitious charity, our trustees are hands‑on, committed, and deeply connected to our mission. The Secretary will help ensure that our governance remains robust, transparent, and compliant as we grow.

Our Board currently includes trustees with backgrounds in counselling, mental health, education, marketing, and life sciences. We have recently refreshed and expanded the Board to bring in new expertise, and we are committed to diversifying further. We particularly welcome younger adults, people from a range of ethnic backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ applicants, as we want our leadership to better reflect the communities we serve.

The Board meets four times a year in Brandon, Suffolk, with the option to join online, and trustees also participate in one of our subcommittees. The charity is navigating a period of change as we redesign our delivery model, strengthen our digital infrastructure, and expand our accredited programmes. With this comes the need for strong governance, clear documentation, and effective communication between trustees and the senior leadership team. The Trustee Secretary will play a vital role in supporting this transition. They will help coordinate Board meetings, ensure accurate and timely minutes, maintain governance records, and support the smooth flow of information across the organisation. They will also contribute to the development of policies, support compliance with regulatory requirements, and help ensure that decisions are well‑documented and aligned with our strategic direction.

One of our biggest challenges is balancing rising demand with the need for long‑term sustainability. We are moving towards a more resilient model that includes early intervention, targeted support, and the development of training and digital resources. The Secretary will help the Board stay organised and focused as we navigate this shift, ensuring that governance processes remain strong and that trustees have the information they need to make informed decisions.

This role is important because Alumah is at a pivotal moment. We are strengthening our programmes, expanding our reach, and building new income streams. Good governance underpins all of this. The Trustee Secretary will help create the conditions that allow the Board to function effectively, support the CEO, and ensure that our work continues to be safe, ethical, and aligned with our mission. For someone who is organised, reliable, and passionate about making a meaningful difference, this is an opportunity to shape the future of a charity that brings hope, safety, and transformation to people affected by domestic abuse.