At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape impactful decisions as a trustee for a charity tackling poverty in Norfolk.
- Company: Future Projects, a dedicated charity focused on community support and education.
- Benefits: Make a real difference while gaining governance experience and networking opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with flexible commitment; just four board meetings a year.
- Why this job: Join a passionate board and contribute to meaningful change for vulnerable communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR, education, or operations is valued but not essential.
Future Projects is a Norfolk charity tackling poverty and deprivation. We run three interconnected services: community support, a specialist school for children with SEND, and Future Radio. Join a committed board at a time when your skills will genuinely shape decisions that matter. What difference will you make? This is a chance to make a real difference to some of Norfolk’s most vulnerable people - and to bring your professional skills to bear on work that genuinely matters.
As a trustee, you’ll have an essential role in contributing towards the direction of Future Projects and making a real difference to the lives of our beneficiaries. Trustees play a vital governance role - ensuring Future Projects remains true to its mission, financially sound, and well run.
What are we looking for?
- We welcome applications from any background, but would particularly value experience in one or more of the following areas:
- HR / People — workforce strategy, employment law, or organisational culture
- Education — ideally with knowledge of SEND, school governance, or the wider educational landscape
- Operations — particularly in food, FMCG, or community-facing service delivery
- If you don’t fit neatly into these categories but feel you have something valuable to offer a diverse, impactful board, we’d still love to hear from you.
A passion for Future Projects' mission and commitment to support and challenge the organisation to continue to be successful.
What will you be doing?
We are recruiting two new trustees at an exciting moment for Future Projects as we move to a phase of strategic growth. Trustees play a vital governance role ensuring Future Projects remains true to its mission, financially sound, and well run.
Future Projects delivers three integrated services:
- Future Support — community advice and support for people facing hardship. We provide specialist one-to-one casework covering welfare benefits, debt and money management, employment support, mental health, homelessness prevention, food and crisis support, and household resilience.
- Future Education — a specialist school for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities.
- Future Radio — Norwich's community radio station, broadcasting on 107.8 FM under an Ofcom community radio licence. Run by trained volunteers, Future Radio gives local people a voice, builds skills and strengthens community connection. Last year alone we delivered 1-to-1 support for over 1,000 people in need, supported 44 children with complex SEND, and had 39,000 people tune in to Future Radio each month.
As a trustee, you will join a committed board at a time when your skills will genuinely shape decisions that matter. We have two vacancies and would see HR, Education and Operations (FMCG/Food) or Service delivery as advantageous background. The core commitment is four board meetings per year, each lasting 2-3 hours, held remotely. We also hold an annual staff day, board strategy meeting, and AGM which we ask trustees to attend where possible, as strong board presence at these events matters to us. We ask for an initial term of three years.
Strategic Trustee for Community Impact & Growth in Norwich employer: Future Projects
Future Projects is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a tangible impact in the Norfolk community. As a trustee, you will join a passionate board committed to tackling poverty and deprivation, with opportunities for personal growth and professional development while shaping the future of vital services. The hybrid work culture allows for flexibility, ensuring that your contributions can be made from anywhere, all while being part of a mission-driven organisation that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Trustee for Community Impact & Growth in Norwich
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Trustee for Community Impact & Growth in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Future Projects, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Future Projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Future Projects
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Future Projects and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
