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BE A FOUNDING VOICE: Help Us Build YCAS from the Ground Up!

Role: Founding Trustee (Voluntary)
Time: ~8 hours per month (Highly Flexible)
Location: Newham, East London for monthly Trustee meetings, the rest of the hours can be done from home

The Vision:

In Newham, young people are facing unprecedented pressures. We are at the "Day Zero" concept stage of creating YCAS (Youth Counselling and Advice Service)—a temporary name for a permanent mission. We are building a safe, vibrant "hub" where 11–25-year-olds can find free counselling, art therapy, and guidance without barriers.

Why We Need You (The "Startup" Reality)

We aren’t a polished machine yet; we are a seed. As a Founding Trustee, you won't just "oversee"—you will architect. This is a rare chance to shape a charity's DNA, from its legal structure to its very first clinical session.

What You’ll Do (Your Impact)

• Architect the Foundation: Work with our Founder to move from "concept" to "registered charity".
• Strategic Blueprinting: Help set our mission, values, and 3-year growth strategy.
• Governance & Safety: Ensure we are "gold-standard" for safeguarding and ethics from the start.
• Champion the Cause: Use your networks to build the partnerships and funding we need to open our doors.
• Listen & Lead: Ensure the voices of Newham's young people are baked into every decision.

Who You Are

You don’t need a long list of previous board roles—we value passion and perspective over a "perfect" CV. We are looking for:

• Visionaries: You enjoy the "blank page" and aren't afraid of the hard work required for a startup.
• Community Lovers: You care deeply about Newham and its youth.
• Collaborators: You are thoughtful, reliable, and a great listener.

Bonus Skills (We have specific seats at the table for):

• The Pilot (Chair/Deputy): To lead our meetings and keep us on track.
• The Guardian (Safeguarding): To keep our young people safe.
• The Strategist (Treasurer/Finance): To build our financial health.
• The Connectors (Fundraising & Partnerships): To help us find the resources to grow.
• The Specialist (Therapist/Clinical): To ensure our support is world-class.

What’s In It For You?

• Total Influence: Your fingerprints will be on a service that could save lives.
• Leadership Growth: Gain rare "founding board" experience with full induction and support.
• Community: Join a warm, driven team of "do-ers".

The Commitment (Volunteer)

• 8 hours per month: Includes one Board meeting and some remote prep work.
• Flexibility: Most work is digital, with occasional in-person meet-ups in Newham.

​Ready to build something beautiful?

Apply by sending your CV and a Covering Letter, telling us why you want to help YCAS take flight.

YCAS: Designed by Newham, for Newham's future.

Lead with Purpose. Shape the Future of Later Life.
Are you ready to guide a dynamic, forward-thinking charity? At Age UK Merton, we believe later life should be lived with dignity, joy, and opportunity. For nearly seventy years, we've been supporting older adults in Merton with advice, practical help, and social connection. Now, as we navigate an ever-changing landscape and deliver on our ambitious strategic plan, we're seeking an exceptional Chair of Trustees to help us steer the next chapter.

Time Commitment: Approx. 2-3 days per month
Location: Merton (Board meetings and events)
Remuneration: Voluntary (expenses reimbursed)

About Age UK Merton
We're a 'small but mighty' charity with a big impact. Our mission is simple: to provide quality advice and services that meet the needs of older adults in Merton. From befriending and activity programmes to practical home support and accredited advice, we help thousands of people each year to love later life. With an income of £1.2m, a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, and strong partnerships across health, care, and community sectors, we're proud of our achievements and excited about what is to come.

Why This Role Matters
As Chair, you'll lead a committed Board and work closely with our CEO to ensure Age UK Merton thrives in a challenging environment.
You will:
* Shape strategic direction: Drive delivery of our three-year plan, focusing on outreach, sustainability, and improved health and wellbeing outcomes.
* Champion collaboration: Strengthen partnerships across health, care, and voluntary sectors to reduce inequalities and improve lives.
* Ensure strong governance: Uphold charity law and best practice, ensuring financial resilience and effective administration.
* Be a visible leader: Represent Age UK Merton externally, inspire stakeholders, and help diversify income streams for long-term sustainability.

What Makes This Opportunity Inspiring
* Impact and Purpose: Your leadership will directly improve the lives of older adults in Merton.
* Strong Foundations: Accredited for quality advice and befriending services, with a clear strategic plan and committed team.
* Exciting Growth: We're expanding outreach and engagement, co-designing services with clients, and building a sustainable future.
* Collaborative Culture: Trustees and staff share values of quality, integrity, kindness, inclusivity, and collaboration.

Ideal Candidate Profile
Essential Skills and Experience
* Previous Board-level experience, ideally as Chair or Trustee.
* Strategic vision, financial acumen, and strong leadership skills.
* Ability to build relationships and represent the organisation publicly.
* Commitment to Age UK Merton's mission and values.

Desirable
* Understanding of adult social care or health sectors.
* Knowledge of Merton and its communities.

Recruitment Timeline
To ensure equitable access to information and uphold AgeUK Merton's commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, they will be hosting a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the outgoing Chair. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Wednesday 11th February 2026 and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 9th March 2026
Interviews: w/c 13th April 2026

How to Apply
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to AgeUK Merton on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People and request a candidate pack in the first instance.
For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala at Charity People

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.