Home-Start Reading is seeking two new trustees to join our Board and help shape the future of this independent charity.
We’re looking for people who share our commitment to supporting local families and can bring insight, experience and energy to strategic discussions. It’s an opportunity to make a difference where it matters most.
About the role
Home-Start Reading has supported vulnerable families with children under five in Reading since 1984. We offer early intervention through our unique volunteer home‑visiting service, reaching families facing a range of challenges including poor mental health, social isolation, domestic abuse and financial hardship.
In addition to home‑visiting, we run targeted projects to support families who would benefit from extra peer connection and encouragement, focusing on parent‑child relationships, children’s socialisation and school readiness. Our Mums in Mind programme provides gentle, accessible peer support for women experiencing postnatal depression or anxiety, in a safe, supportive environment.
Despite strong relationships with local statutory services, we receive no statutory funding and rely on grants and donations to pay our small staff team to deliver vital services and recruit, train and supervise our brilliant team of volunteers.
As a trustee you will share responsibility for the effective, safe and legally compliant operation of Home‑Start Reading. Alongside fellow trustees, you will provide strategic leadership to shape the charity’s future and ensure its sustainability.
The role does not involve day‑to‑day management, but trustees may take a more active role in certain tasks than is typical for larger charities. Regular communication and collaboration with the manager and fellow trustees will therefore be essential.
This is a voluntary position with pre‑agreed expenses eligible for reimbursement.
The ideal candidate
You will be passionate about making a real difference to local families during their toughest times. You’ll bring a range of experience, specialist skills and knowledge from a professional background or your own lived experience to support the charity’s growth and development.
You might be looking for your first step up into a strategic or governance role or looking to give back to your local community. You’ll have energy and enthusiasm and a different perspective that will complement and challenge our way of working.
We’re particularly interested in individuals with experience around marketing and fundraising, and/or with a strong Reading network.
Key accountabilities
* Ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
* Ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
* Ensure that the charity provides its services safely and in a way that promotes the safeguarding of all children and adults at risk.
* Ensure the organisation uses its resources exclusively for pursuing its objects – no money should be spent on activities not included in its own objects.
* Contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
* Safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
* Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
* Ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
* Protect and manage the property of the charity and ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
* Use personal skills, knowledge or experience to help the board reach sound decisions, scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, addressing critical issues or offering guidance and advice on new projects.
Person specification
* Commitment to Home‑Start Reading.
* Willingness and capacity to devote the necessary time and effort.
* Good, independent judgement and willingness to speak their mind.
* Ability to think creatively.
* Acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
* Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
* Strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
* Successful achievement of an Enhanced DBS check.
Location and time commitment
* Board meets every 2 months for about 2 hours (19:00 to 21:00).
* Expect to dedicate a minimum of 6 hours per month to the role, preferably more, including preparation for and attendance at board meetings.
* Duties may be carried out online, by phone/video and face‑to‑face.
* Some travel across Reading may be required for meetings and events; all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed subject to charity policy.
If this opportunity sounds right for you, please email the team at office@home-start-reading.org.uk.
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