Overview
We're looking for passionate and committed Trustees to join the Board of Humans MCR. You'll help guide a growing charity tackling food poverty across Greater Manchester and support decisions that make a lasting difference to local communities.
Difference you will make
As a Trustee, you'll help ensure Humans MCR can continue supporting people experiencing food poverty and financial hardship across Greater Manchester, both now and in the future.
Your contribution will help shape the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring we remain sustainable, well‑governed and able to respond to changing community needs. Working alongside fellow trustees and the executive team, you'll help guide decisions that affect how services are developed, how resources are prioritised and how the organisation grows.
Demand for charitable support continues to rise, while competition for funding and resources remains significant. Trustees play a vital role in helping the organisation navigate these challenges, balancing ambition with sustainability and ensuring that decisions are always focused on delivering the greatest possible benefit to the communities we serve.
Strong governance and strategic leadership help us continue providing food support, affordable groceries, cooking education and practical advice to thousands of people each year. Your insight, experience and perspective will help ensure that the charity remains resilient, effective and focused on its mission.
As Humans MCR continues to evolve, trustees will have the opportunity to influence important decisions about the charity's future, helping us strengthen our services, reach more people and maximise our impact across Greater Manchester.
By joining our board, you'll be helping to create a stronger organisation that can continue making a meaningful difference to people facing some of life's toughest challenges.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for people who are passionate about our mission and committed to helping Humans MCR create lasting change for individuals and families experiencing food poverty and financial hardship.
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of professional, personal and lived experiences. We believe that a strong and effective board reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and benefits from different perspectives, backgrounds and ways of thinking.
In particular, we would welcome applications from people with lived experience of poverty, food insecurity, welfare systems, housing insecurity, debt, unemployment or other challenges that can create financial hardship. We recognise that lived experience brings valuable insight that can strengthen decision‑making, challenge assumptions and help ensure our services remain relevant, accessible and responsive to community needs.
Alongside lived experience, we are interested in hearing from people who can bring knowledge, skills or experience from areas such as:
- Charity and voluntary sector leadership
- Fundraising and income generation
- Governance, legal or compliance
- Marketing, communications and public relations
- Public sector, health or social care services
- Community development and engagement
- Operations, logistics or organisational growth
Previous trustee experience is welcome but not essential. We are keen to hear from people who may be considering their first trustee role and who are motivated by the opportunity to make a difference.
Most importantly, we are looking for people who are willing to contribute their time, share their perspective, work collaboratively with others and support the long‑term success of the organisation. We value trustees who are thoughtful, open‑minded, respectful of different viewpoints and committed to helping Humans MCR achieve its mission.
We particularly encourage applications from individuals whose voices and experiences are currently underrepresented on charity boards.
Hybrid
What will you be doing?
As a Trustee, you'll play an important role in helping shape the future of Humans MCR and ensuring we continue to deliver meaningful support to people across Greater Manchester.
Our board brings together people from a range of professional and lived experience backgrounds, creating a supportive environment where different perspectives are welcomed and valued. We work closely with the CEO and senior team, providing strategic oversight, constructive challenge and support as the organisation continues to grow.
Over recent years, Humans MCR has experienced significant growth in both demand and reach. Like many charities, we are operating within an increasingly challenging funding environment while responding to rising levels of need within our communities. The board therefore has an important role to play in ensuring the organisation remains sustainable, resilient and focused on achieving the greatest possible impact.
We are looking for trustees who want to contribute to key conversations about the charity's future direction, financial sustainability, governance, growth and long‑term strategy. Trustees will have the opportunity to work alongside fellow board members and the executive team on some of the most important decisions facing the organisation over the coming years.
Our trustees are encouraged to bring their lived experience, expertise, insights and networks to support the charity beyond board meetings where appropriate. There may also be opportunities to contribute to working groups, recruitment panels or specific projects linked to organisational development and governance.
This is an exciting time to join Humans MCR. The charity has a strong reputation, an ambitious vision and a clear commitment to supporting people with dignity, choice and respect. As a trustee, you'll have the opportunity to help shape that next chapter and ensure the organisation is well placed to continue making a lasting difference across Greater Manchester.
We are proud of the positive and collaborative relationship between our board and executive team. Trustees are encouraged to ask questions, offer ideas and provide constructive challenge, while working collectively towards a shared mission and purpose.
