Trustee

Introduction

Please help us keep Earlsfield Foodbank's doors open. Every Thursday around 70 to 90 neighbours come to us for food, a warm welcome and practical support. We’ve been doing that for ten years. We're now refreshing our Trustee Board and building a sustainable funding future for 2027 and beyond so are now looking for a new Trustee to help shape our next chapter.

Background

This is an exciting opportunity to join a Board of Trustees overseeing important work in the local community

Earlsfield Foodbank was set up in 2013 and is part of IFAN. We are based in St Andrew's Church, Earlsfield, London SW18 and operate on a Thursday morning. Our team of Volunteers provides food and support to the 300 local "guests" that are registered with us. Typically 70-80 come each week. As food poverty is often a symptom other issues we provide further support on the day. The Home Café which is also based in the Church kindly enables us to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Our income is a mix of multi-year grants, donations (both cash and food direct) and fundraising events. Our Board currently has four Trustees including the Chair, the Treasurer and two that also provide support to the Volunteers on the day. The Charity is run by a Manager who works three days a week. Two Trustees have recently stepped down, one of whom specialised in the area of grant funding. 

Recently our grant funding has provided around 30% of our income and has come from Wandsworth Council (1 year at £10k pa) and the National Lottery (2 years at £20kpa). While we have substantial reserves we need to replace these grants during 2027.

You can read more about us in our Annual Report on the Charity Commission’s website.

Job description

We are seeking a Trustee who can:

1. Join the Board and support the Foodbank’s work.

2. Provide the Board’s focus on securing further grant funding working with the Manager and the wider community based at the Church.

3. Ideally provide further help in at least one area of finance, fundraising, governance, HR, marketing, community links or lived experience.

In this role you will

• help set the Foodbank's direction and priorities, working with the Chair, the Treasurer and fellow Trustees.
• support and constructively challenge our Manager, who runs the Foodbank three days a week.
• lead the Board's work on securing grant funding to sustain our services from 2027, working with the Manager and the wider church community.
• together with the other Trustees help make sure the charity is well run, financially sound and meets its legal duties, always acting in its best interests.
• be an ambassador for the Foodbank, sharing our story and opening doors in your networks.

What you'll gain

• the chance to make a real difference in the Earlsfield community.
• experience of charity governance and strategy.
• working with a committed team of Trustees and volunteers.

You can read about Trustee duties in the Charity Commission's guidance."

The commitment is five to six meetings a year, usually after a Thursday session, plus some occasional work at other times or an average of around five hours a month. Meetings are usually in person in Wandsworth. Attending the Thursday session a couple of times a year is encouraged.

Application Instructions

Applications from all backgrounds are welcome. You don't need to have been a Trustee before. An induction to the operation and role will be provided. Any expenses are covered.

Please apply with a brief CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and why you want to join us. If you would like to get to know our work first-hand you'll be warmly welcome to visit a Thursday session.

The closing date is Friday 4th December.