Trustees

Would you like to join an organisation committed to making a difference in the local Havant Borough community?  Are you looking for a new challenge? 

Citizens Advice Havant (CAH) are looking for new voluntary Trustees  to join our current team of six to improve our breadth of skills.  We are seeking Trustees with one or more of the following: funding expertise (institutional and/or corporate); or social media expertise; or a Havant Borough resident with lived experience; or a Havant Borough resident under the age of 35 years.

Previous Board or Trustee experience is not necessary and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. We are particularly keen to achieve a more diverse Trustee Board and we welcome applications from all sections of the local Havant Borough community.  Our induction process will provide you with the knowledge and support that will allow you to be an effective CAH Trustee.

CAH is the local ‘go to’ advice organisation offering holistic help to people with difficulties with issues such as benefits, debt, employment and housing.  We are here for everyone.  We provide free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems, working to fix the underlying causes.  We are a voice for people on the issues that matter to them.  We value diversity, champion equality and challenge discrimination.

We would expect you to:

• be willing to commit to a full three-year term as a Trustee of CAH
• be available to attend: quarterly meetings of our Trustee Board (currently held in-person in late afternoons); meetings of one Board Committee; annual away-day; and our AGM
• be able to commit at least five days per year to fully meet the expectations of being a CAH Trustee.  [Note: In their first year, the Trustee induction process will increase this by an additional three days]
• act in the best interests of CAH’s clients, staff and volunteers
• work as one member of a team helping to shape the strategic direction of the organisation
• have good independent judgement to lead CAH
• have a commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service
• be either a current resident of Havant Borough, or living no more than a one hour commute to the Meridian Centre in Havant.

CAH is a member of the national Citizens Advice charity - which means we have access to fantastic quality assured services, resources and support provided by the national organisation - but as an independent charity, we’re responsible for running our own affairs within agreed standards. CAH has been present in Havant since the 1960s. Over the decades the service has adapted and changed but has remained relevant to the needs of the local population, being reflective of the societal and economic environment in which people are living. We operate from spacious refurbished offices located in Havant town centre, along with several satellite outreaches and a variety of phone/online channels.  Our highly skilled team of eighteen mainly part-time staff and over sixty volunteers support more than 8,000 clients a year and the local benefit of our support has been assessed at £5.5million per year.  Our annual operating costs are around £400K. 

Applications are by CV together with a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 setting out: why you would like to be considered for a Trustee role; how you meet the role’s profile; and the skills and experiences that you would bring