We’re recruiting for new Trustees
Toynbee Hall is seeking new Trustees to help us break down the barriers that keep East Londoners in poverty
Are you passionate about making a real difference to people and communities in East London? Do you have skills, networks or new perspectives that can guide and drive one of the longest established charities in East London to be more effective in its mission to challenge inequality and lift people out of poverty?
For over a century, we have fought the scourge of poverty, and been a vital source of free advice and support for young and older people, families and the wider community. We’ve engaged through arts, education and welfare services, and have worked with the different waves of people who have settled in the area. We help people tackle debt and financial exclusion, and use our learning to influence essential social policy and practice.
The need around us is acute: although staggering wealth has poured into East London in the last 20 years, this has entirely failed to shift underlying patterns of poverty. So we need to think much more radically about what is locking poverty in place, and to be bolder in our actions, putting people and communities at the heart of everything we do, from shaping our services to building our evidence base, from co- creating new ideas to speaking truth to power.
East London needs organisations like Toynbee Hall to build strengths, voice and collective endeavour to ensure everyone can take advantage of what our capital has to offer. This is an exciting time for Toynbee Hall as the team returns to its lovingly restored historic home, which will be the heart of an exciting, open and dynamic space for the whole community – and will generate revenues to allow us to innovate and extend our offer.
As long serving Board members step down, we are now seeking new Trustees who first and foremost care deeply about and have a connection – personal or professional – to East London, and reflect the diversity of the people around us. Beyond this, we’re open to the kinds of skills and talents that you might offer. We need people who can stretch the organisation to be the best it can be, support the staff and volunteer team to become radically engaged with our community, and lead strategy that can target underlying causes of poverty, not just the symptoms. Commercial nous and expertise will be increasingly important for us; and understanding of the finances of a complex organisation would help – but is not essential as training and support can be offered.
But if you know about engaging communities, influencing policy or just believe you bring a fresh set of ideas and opportunities, then we’d love to hear from you. And please don’t be put off if the idea of being a trustee feels a big step – we value difference and diversity and want to be open to new ideas. Most of all want people who are committed to realising a better future for their community.
These positions are voluntary and unpaid. However, we work to ensure our Trustees gain opportunities for personal development, to work in new networks and explore new opportunities, and to be part of a dynamic, expert, diverse team dedicated to working alongside people and communities. Terms will be for up to four years (renewable to a maximum of nine) beginning in December 2018.
Watch a video message for potential trustees of Toynbee Hall, from the Chair of Trustees, Julian Corner.
