Trustee with experience in leadership - Volunteer

We are looking for a trustee with previous experience of trust leadership, to strengthen and support the existing Trustee board of our Community-focussed charity.

As a trustee with leadership and negotiating skills you will help the Trust secure its long-term sustainability and ensure the charity will continue to thrive into the next decade.

What are we looking for?

• The successful applicant will have experience of management in the charity sector, preferably as a trustee.
• You will need to be available to attend and contribute to the regular monthly trustee meetings, held on the last Tuesday of every month.
• As a member of the trustee board, you will have responsibility for ensuring the Trust complies with Charity Commission, Companies House and other statutory regulations.
• We anticipate the successful applicant will be able to mentor the less experienced trustees in their new roles.
• As an experienced negotiator, you will assist the trustees in negotiations with Surrey County Council regarding the lease.

We are aiming to develop an operational level agreement with Surrey, anticipating they will recognise the significant social impact we have on the residents of the Merstham Estate. We expect Surrey to not only negate our commercial rent and service charge, but also contribute to the cost of providing the reception and security functions we deliver at the Hub. The incoming trustee will make a significant contribution to these negotiations.

What will you be doing?

As a trustee you’ll have an essential role in contributing towards the future direction of Merstham Community Trust, helping us make a real difference to the people of Merstham. There has been a significant change in Board membership in recent months and the current chair and treasurer are also due to step down in the near future. We have an enthusiastic and dedicated but relatively inexperienced board of five remaining trustees. The new trustee will be someone with experience of charity trusteeship and governance who will bring their skills to help shape the future of our community support charity.

Our work is powered by a wide range of inspiring, volunteer-led projects, all supported by a small but passionate team of five staff members. We’re now preparing for an exciting transition we are negotiating with Surrey County Council, who own the lease of the Community Hub in Merstham, where we are based, to reduce the rent and service charges they apply. Like many charities, we face ongoing monetary pressures, and a reduction in the burden of our current lease arrangements will help secure our financial future.

Most importantly, we’re backed by a committed team of volunteers and staff who care deeply about making a real difference in our community. Merstham has one of the highest levels of deprivation within Surrey, determined by metrics such as high levels of mental health issues, unemployment and educational underachievement. Our projects include several mental health initiatives and we have close ties to the local school, supporting children who are young carers. We also provide school holiday lunch packs to the most financially disadvantaged children. Our other food poverty related projects include a Food Bank, Food Club and a Community Fridge. Our Community Wellbeing Champions supplement NHS led health initiatives.

We are looking for a new trustee who can help us build on our success and continue making a positive impact in Merstham.