Commonweal Housing searching for new Trustee
At Commonweal Housing we are driven by a desire to address injustice. We understand the role housing plays in bringing stability and promoting aspiration. Working in partnership with expert support providers we facilitate, enable, pilot and test bespoke housing-based solutions designed to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
However, we don’t stop at just providing resources – which we do by providing access to housing, funding support and independent evaluations. Beyond that we share the learning from our pilots, encouraging others to replicate our projects or learn from mistakes made, whilst seeking to lobby for change in policy and practice as we work to eradicate injustice. We support projects that expert partners think might work – we aid that trying and testing.
We are now looking for one or two additional Trustees to join our skilled, committed and experienced Board. Working alongside our small staff team the Board help to shape and guide the strategic direction of the charity.
More details of who we are and what we do and a role description for this post can be found here.
Our preferred candidate will bring imagination; curiosity to find what works; a passionate desire to address issues of social injustice; good judgement and a rigour to help the Board ensure we stay focussed on mission and impact.
Our finances come from rents charged on our property portfolio, social investment funding as well as grant income from our principle benefactor. As a result of our uniquely strong financial position, we are able to act boldly and devote our efforts almost solely to our charitable objectives.
We are hoping that new Trustees will bring their skills and experiences to work as part of our team; ideally an understanding of social investment in the charity sector (a key part of our new project development) or knowledge and experience of lobbying, government policy and media relations would be great. Housing knowledge is helpful but not essential.
To further maintain the balance of our Board we actively welcome applications from women and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) candidates.
The Board currently meets four times a year in person for business meetings with one further strategic away day session (usually in the autumn). In addition, the Board occasionally also comes together for training sessions maybe once or twice a year. The willingness and ability to engage with staff outside of meetings would be welcomed where possible but to confirm the Trustee role is a strategic governance role with all day to day operations lead by our Chief Executive and the staff team.
Commonweal’s office is based in the City near Liverpool Street station EC2M. The Trustee role is an unremunerated position but reasonable out of pocket expenses can be reimbursed.
If you feel you can contribute to the Board and can help develop Commonweal Housing into an even more effective and sustainable organisation, we would love to hear from you.
Please email info@commonweal.org.uk with your CV and a short covering letter (max 2 sides A4) setting out clearly why you and why us?
Closing Date: Wednesday 18th October 2023
Initial Interview Date: Early November TBC