Trustee – Charity Governance - Volunteer in Stevenage

Help shape the future of addiction recovery. Join The Living Room as a trustee and bring your charity or voluntary sector experience to support governance, strategy and growth as a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation.

What difference will you make? Strengthening our board with governance expertise ensures The Living Room continues to grow sustainably and effectively. As we expand services in and beyond Hertfordshire and support more individuals and families affected by addiction, governance must keep pace. A trustee with strong charity governance experience will help us operate to a high standard, meet legal responsibilities, and embed best practice across the organisation.

Your contribution will support us in several important ways:

• Strengthening governance by ensuring clarity, accountability and effective board practice
• Supporting robust decision‑making, helping the board balance growth with sustainability
• Providing insight into sector standards and expectations, helping us remain aligned with best practice
• Supporting organisational development as we evolve our services and reach new communities
• Enhancing oversight of risk, performance and impact

We will embed lived experience safely within governance structures, not just services.

We seek a trustee who brings relevant experience and personal qualities to contribute effectively to a collaborative, purpose‑driven board.

Experience and Knowledge

You should have a strong understanding of charity governance and how effective boards operate, whether from trustee experience or a senior charitable role where governance was part of your responsibilities. We are especially interested in experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Charity governance, including an understanding of trustee duties and responsibilities
• Leadership within the charity or voluntary sector
• Strategic planning and organisational development
• Health, social care or addiction/recovery services
• Impact measurement, evaluation or outcomes‑focused work

Skills and Abilities

• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgement
• The ability to analyse information, ask constructive questions and contribute to informed decision‑making
• Confidence to support and appropriately challenge the executive team
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively
• A commitment to maintaining high standards of governance, integrity and accountability

Personal Qualities

• Committed to the mission of supporting people affected by addiction and enabling lasting recovery
• Values‑led, with integrity, empathy and a genuine interest in making a difference
• Open‑minded and respectful of different perspectives, including lived experience
• Willing to engage, prepare for meetings and contribute actively to discussions
• Comfortable working as part of a team and sharing collective responsibility

We warmly welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of addiction and recovery, or those who have supported a loved one. This is not a requirement, but it is highly valued and aligns with our commitment as a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO).

We are seeking a committed trustee with governance experience to strengthen our board as we continue to grow and evolve. A trustee will work collaboratively with fellow board members and the executive team to ensure The Living Room is well governed, financially sustainable and focused on delivering meaningful recovery outcomes. This role suits someone who already understands charity governance and trustee responsibilities, and who can bring that knowledge to support and strengthen our board. You will contribute your expertise to guide the organisation through its next development phase, supporting our ambition to become a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), where recovery voices are embedded throughout leadership and decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing strategic oversight and contributing to the long‑term direction of the charity
• Ensuring the organisation remains aligned with its mission, values and charitable objectives
• Supporting strong governance and compliance with charity law and best practice
• Offering constructive challenge and support to the executive team
• Contributing to discussions around service development, impact and sustainability
• Acting as an ambassador for The Living Room where appropriate

Relevant Experience

• Charity governance and trustee responsibilities
• Leadership within the charity or voluntary sector
• Strategic planning or organisational development
• Health, social care or recovery services
• Impact measurement, evaluation or outcomes

The time commitment is approximately 4–6 hours per month. The board meets 4–6 times a year, with additional light preparation and occasional input between meetings. We warmly welcome applications from people with lived experience of recovery, or those who have supported someone through addiction. Your perspective is highly valued and will strengthen our work.