At a glance

Skills

Volunteer management

Where

Hexham, NE463HN

Mainly at home

Time

Either in or out of office hours Estimate of time needed:
1-3 hours / week

We are looking for someone who is passionate about social justice, who wants to see our communities free from poverty to join our board of trustees.

What will you be doing?

Our trustees play a vital role overseeing the management and administration of our charity, ensuring we have a clear strategy to grow and thrive so we can continue to provide vital support to people experiencing poverty for as long as we are needed.

Duties:

Support and provide advice on West Northumberland Food Bank’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
Oversee West Northumberland Food Bank’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
Review and approve West Northumberland Food Bank’s financial statements.
Provide support and challenge to West Northumberland Food Bank’s Managers in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
Keep abreast of changes in West Northumberland Food Bank’s operating environment.
Contribute to regular reviews of West Northumberland Food Bank’s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

Renumeration.

This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

Attending 11 Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are held monthly in person at West Northumberland Food Bank
Attending annual strategy days

Committee membership

Attending Subgroup meetings where appropriate e.g. Small Grants, HR, Governance, Communications and Digital and / or ad hoc working groups support to the management team.

What are we looking for?

What we are looking for

We are looking for people with at least 3 years experience of working with volunteers who are willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction and training.

Personal skills and qualities

Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
Willingness to lead according to our values [charity values].
Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

What difference will you make?

“Personally, WNFB has been a life saver to me”

“It's an invaluable service. There would be so many people who would collapse without the food bank”

If you want to be part of a team making such a difference to people, then please get in touch.

I felt very honoured and privileged to be invited to join the board.

As trustees, we support the work done by our dedicated staff team and enthusiastic volunteers. Making a difference in this way is a very satisfying way of giving back to our community.

We strive to be an inclusive organisation and positively encourage applications from people with experience of living in poverty.

Before you apply

If you are interested we would love it for you to visit the food bank to meet staff and volunteers to give you an overview of our work, team roles and development plans. Followed by a letter of application then a meeting with existing trustees.

About West Northumberland Food Bank

Causes

Poverty relief

Organisation type:

Charity

We are a well-established local charity providing a critical service to the growing number of low income households very often in crisis. We are the only Food Bank operating...

Trustee