64 Director of communications volunteer roles

Join us in shaping the next chapter at Harrison Housing

We have a proud history, a clear purpose and an ambitious future.

We are looking to recruit a Chair of Trustees and Three Trustee. These are all voluntary roles based in London.

Founded in 1869, Harrison Housing supports older people through almshouse and social housing. Today, we provide 75 sheltered homes and 19 general-needs homes, and manage a further 139 properties across London for other almshouse providers. Our purpose is safe, well-maintained homes for older people in housing and financial need and our vision is supporting residents to live independently. We are building on our strong foundations to support more people, strengthen almshouse partnerships and improve our homes and services.

Chair of Trustees

We are seeking an inspiring, collaborative and strategic leader to chair our Board and help shape Harrison Housing's next chapter. You will lead an effective Board, provide strategic direction and constructive challenge, work closely with the Chief Executive, and ensure strong governance, financial oversight and risk management. You will keep residents and our charitable purpose at the heart of decision-making, lead Board development and succession planning, and represent Harrison Housing with key stakeholders. Previous Chair experience is desirable but not essential. You will have senior leadership, governance, committee or Board experience, sound judgement and an understanding of the challenges facing people in social housing.

Commitment: On average 4–6 hours per month, including quarterly Board meetings and an annual Strategy Away Day.

The current Chair's term ends in February 2027. The successful candidate will join ahead of this, including the December 2026 Board meeting as part of the handover.

Three Trustees

We are seeking three new Trustee to bring skills, experience and fresh perspectives to our Board.

Previous Trustee experience is not required. We are looking for sound judgement, strategic insight, constructive challenge and commitment to our purpose.

We are looking for candidates who understand the challenges of a small organisation and will particularly welcome expertise in:

• Financial strategy and sustainability
• Strategic growth and organisational development
• Property and asset strategy
• Fundraising and income generation
• Resident engagement and the resident voice
• Social housing or the almshouse sector
• Governance, regulation or public bodies

Collectively, Trustees oversee strategy, performance, finances, risk and governance, ensuring residents and our charitable purpose remain central to decisions.

Commitment: Trustees are expected to attend 4 Board Meetings per annum plus a Strategy Day. They are also expected to take part in a Committee in accordance with their skills, interests & experience (an additional 4 Meetings per annum).

For both roles, you will bring:

• Commitment to Harrison Housing's purpose and values
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Collaborative working and constructive challenge
• Integrity, openness and accountability
• Commitment to good governance and equality, diversity and inclusion

Knowledge of social housing, almshouses, charity governance or regulation is an advantage. We particularly welcome people who can bring new perspectives, professional expertise or lived experience to our Board.

Why Harrison Housing?

 These voluntary roles offer the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to older people's lives and help shape the future of an organisation with a long and proud history.

You will help us provide safe, good-quality homes, support independent living, reach more people, strengthen almshouse partnerships across London and build a strong, sustainable and well-governed organisation.

For more information on the positions please download the attached recruitment packs.

Key dates

Chair Closing date: 9am, Monday 28 September 2026 Interview: week commencing 19 October 2026

Trustees/NEDs  Closing date: Monday 19 October 2026 Interview: Monday 26 October 2026

How to apply Please submit:

• CV: Maximum 3 pages, covering your current/most recent roles and relevant experience from the last 10 years.
• Personal statement: Maximum 3 pages, explaining your motivation, why Harrison Housing interests you, and the experience, skills and perspective you would bring.

All Trustees are subject to a DBS check, paid for by Harrison Housing. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in line with our policies.

Harrison Housing is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds, including lived experience.

White Lodge Centre provides services that enable those with a range of disabilities, their families and carers to lead fulfilling lives. Supporting over 2,500 people across Surrey, the charity delivers a range of specialist services that help people build independence, confidence and meaningful connections at every stage of life.

Following a significant period of modernisation, White Lodge is entering an exciting new chapter. With strong governance, modern infrastructure and a clear strategic direction, the charity is well positioned to build on its foundations. The Active Plan 2025–30 (linked in the Application Resources section at the bottom of this advert) sets out an ambitious vision to strengthen its community reach, champion the voices of people with disabilities and help create a more inclusive Surrey where everyone can thrive.

The charity is now seeking a Chair of the Board of Trustees to help bring that vision to life. This is an opportunity to join a well-established, values-led charity at a pivotal point in its journey to provide strategic leadership, bring fresh perspectives and work alongside the Board and Chief Executive to shape White Lodge’s next chapter.

Role Overview

Alongside your duties as a Trustee, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, accountability and oversight of White Lodge. 

Working closely with fellow Trustees and the Chief Executive, you will ensure the charity operates in line with its charitable purpose, legal obligations and strategic ambitions while responding to new opportunities and challenges.

You will champion ethical leadership, encourage robust debate, and ensure decisions are principled, well-governed and strategically sound. 

The Chair plays a key role in fostering an effective, collaborative Board and building strong relationships with Trustees, senior leaders and external stakeholders to support White Lodge’s long-term success and strategic ambitions. 

The initial term for this position is 3 years, with the possibility of extending for another 3 years.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and uphold high standards of governance, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House and relevant legislation. 

• Chair Trustee Board meetings, setting agendas that prioritise strategy, risk, performance and impact. 

• Model ethical, values-led leadership and act at all times in the best interests of White Lodge. 

• Work in close partnership with the Chief Executive to ensure governance aligns with delivery of the Strategic Plan, while maintaining clear boundaries between governance and operational management.

• Ensure effective oversight of financial stewardship, safeguarding, risk management and organisational performance. 

• Ensure risk and assurance processes are embedded across Board and committee work.

• Oversee Board effectiveness, including annual evaluations, Trustee development and succession planning. 

• Lead regular review of Board composition, skills and diversity. 

• Support Trustees to understand and discharge their duties as Charity Trustees and Company Directors. 

• Work closely with Committee Chairs to ensure effective reporting, escalation of risk and alignment with Board priorities. 

• Represent White Lodge externally where appropriate, acting as an ambassador for the charity and helping to strengthen its reputation, build strategic relationships and develop partnerships that support White Lodge’s long-term ambitions.

• Maintain up-to-date awareness of charity governance practice, regulatory developments and sector expectations. 

• Participate in Board committees if appropriate, recognising that committee responsibilities may evolve over time to reflect the needs of the organisation.

Time Commitment

This is a voluntary role. The typical time commitment includes:

• Quarterly Trustee Board meetings (evenings; in person)

• Annual Board Away Day / strategic planning session (full day; in person)

• Attendance at bi-annual committee meetings if appropriate, to be agreed with the Board

• Regular liaison with the Chief Executive and Committee Chairs (hybrid)

• Preparation time and occasional external representation (hybrid)

Experience & Person Specification

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience, with experience of governance, Board leadership or working alongside Boards. This experience may have been gained within the charity, public or private sectors.

• A strong understanding of strategic leadership, sound governance and organisational oversight, or the ability to develop knowledge of charity governance quickly.

• Experience contributing to organisational performance, strategic planning, risk management and effective decision-making.

• The ability to chair meetings, facilitate constructive discussion and build consensus across a diverse group of stakeholders.

• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to represent White Lodge externally and develop strong partnerships. 

• Sound judgement, integrity and a collaborative, values-led leadership style. 

• A genuine commitment to White Lodge’s vision, mission and values, and a passion for creating inclusive opportunities for children, adults and families. 

We welcome applications from individuals who bring diverse perspectives and lived experience relevant to White Lodge’s mission. We recognise that exceptional Chairs come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and encourage applications from people who share White Lodge’s vision, values and commitment to creating an inclusive society. 

How to Apply

To express your interest in becoming the next Chair of Trustees at White Lodge, please complete the form linked within the “Redirect to recruiter” button.

As part of the form, you’ll be asked to provide:

• Your personal and contact details

• Information relating to your eligibility to act as a charity trustee, including any conflicts of interest

• Declarations relating to safeguarding, DBS checks and the accuracy of the information you provide

• Your CV

• A cover letter

Your cover letter should explain:

• Why you are interested in becoming Chair of Trustees at White Lodge

• How your skills, experience and leadership approach align with the role

• What you would bring to the organisation as Chair, with reference to the person specification where appropriate

We encourage you to keep your cover letter to no more than two pages of A4.

The deadline for applications is 9pm on Sunday 20th September 2026, although applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and first stage conversations may take place before the deadline. We will not conduct final stage interviews until after the deadline has passed to ensure we consider all applications.

The recruitment for this position is being exclusively managed by Radiate Hiring. If you have any questions, need to request adjustments for the application process or would like to discuss the position further then you can do so via the "Redirect to recruiter" button.

As a small but fast-growing charity, we have a strong trustee board in place but are looking to bring in new trustees to help in our new phase of growth and ensure a sustainable future. We are therefore looking for trustees who want to get closely involved in setting the strategy, direction and priorities of Write Back as we transition from new ‘start-up’ into a more established charity. We are therefore looking for individuals with:

● A strong commitment to the work of Write Back and empowering young people.

● The passion and enthusiasm to throw themselves into a new and exciting charity for young people to help us in our next phase of growth.

● The ability and experience of working at a strategic level, providing expert oversight, advice and guidance.

● The skills and temperament to collaborate effectively in a small, growing organisation.

● A good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity trusteeship and an appreciation of the personal implications.

● A demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity.

We anticipate growing our trustee board significantly over the next 6-12 months. Our initial priority will be recruiting someone who is at least one of the following:

●experienced in financial processes and oversight.

● experienced in education, such as a qualified teacher.

● experienced in growing a small company or charity, in particular with legal, HR or other operational or governance matters.

● Under the age of 25 and who have lived experienced of the issues Write Back is trying to solve.

However, we are open to applications from a variety of backgrounds and would encourage you to get in touch if you are interested. We are intending to recruit 2 - 3 trustees in total.

Core requirements:

● This is a voluntary unpaid role, for which any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

● Your initial term will be for 2 years, with the possibility of renewal.

● Attendance at trustee meetings every two months (either online or in person, for roughly 90 minutes), as well as preparation for these meetings and any follow-up tasks. We estimate the time commitment to be no more than one day per month in total.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.