Home-Start Guildford

This is a Voluntary (unpaid) position.

Do you have experience running or supporting your local PTA teams or raising funds for other charities?

Do you have free time on your hands, feel passionate about helping families in need and want to make a real direct impact on your local community?

Do you have experience organising, coordinating and running local fundraising events?

If you can answer Yes to the above questions, then we would love to talk to you about joining our team of Trustees here at Home-Start Guildford. You would be supporting and helping our part-time Community Fundraiser in their day-to-day efforts across the community.

About Us

Home-Start Guildford is an independent charity based in Guildford committed to promoting the welfare of local families and children. We are part of Home-Start UK, one of the UK’s leading family support charities, benefiting from their policy framework and quality assurance, but not funding. Staff and volunteers offer regular support, including providing emotional and practical help to families in the families’ own homes and connecting families with specialist services within the community.

A little bit about you…

• Enthusiasm to work collaboratively as part of a small, ambitious team
• Happy to be proactive and roll up your sleeves with a “can do” attitude
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise
• Friendly and approachable; honest and trustworthy

A little bit about the role…

• Raising awareness of Home-Start Guildford and the work we do with families, galvanizing support from the local community and local businesses and organisations
• Recognising fundraising opportunities; Making introductions to key community figures, groups and networks (e.g., MP’s, mayors, golf clubs, tennis clubs, Rotary clubs)
• Using your network, hustle and passion to bring your fundraising projects to fruition

Your time commitment

• If you have spare time and want to make a difference, we would love you to join the team and help us roll out our 2025 diverse funding strategy.
• We anticipate 2 – 4 hours of your time a week, but this may increase during the build up to events.

What does becoming a trustee involve?

As part of the trustee role, you will be expected to:

• Attend, and prepare for, a minimum of six meetings per year.
• Undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
• Undergo a selection process as outlined by Home-Start Guildford.
• Commit to the legal and financial responsibilities of the role, as outlined in the charity’s Constitution (‘Foundation’ model constitution).
• Visit and engage with the office and staff to enhance your understanding of how Home-Start Guildford works.

Training and Support?

Trustees are fully inducted into Home-Start at the start of their new role; they will receive:

• An online welcome event and e-learning, introducing Home-Start’s service and your responsibilities.
• Training in key areas including safeguarding.
• Reimbursement of paid expenses.
• Access to Home-Start’s online community via HSUK intranet – full of information and guidance on running a local Home-Start.
• Tailored support by other trustees and staff.

What do you get as a volunteer trustee with our organisation?

• An opportunity to exercise your strategic planning skills, probably in a different environment or context.
• An opportunity to influence and collectively lead an organisation supporting families of young children.
• A chance to expand and implement your understanding of our work.
• A chance to augment your experience of charities.
• A boost to your career and CV, if needed.
• Satisfaction of helping an organisation that supports families, thus giving something back to your community.
• Induction training from us; training, support, and assistance from local charity-support & advice agencies; reimbursement of reasonable expenses, if needed.

What do we get?

• Your strategic skills, knowledge, understanding, or experience.
• Your abilities to influence plans for our charity’s future, especially in this cost-of-living crisis.
• Enhancement to our overall governance and the Board of trustees; improvement in our operational growth.
• Your participation in our collective decision-making, contributing to all areas of our charity work.
• Your enthusiasm.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to office@hsguildford.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from candidates who share our vision and are eager to contribute to our mission.

Contact Information: For more information about the role, please contact Sarah Black or Louisa Tompkins in the first instance at office@hsguildford.org.uk or call 01483 511181. We are happy to answer any questions and provide further details about this exciting opportunity.

All prospective volunteers must have the legal right to stay in the United Kingdom and you will be asked to produce evidence of this as part of the induction process.

Office: Home-Start Guildford, Astolat, Coniers Way, Guildford, GU4 7HL

Contact: 01483 511181 / office@hsguildford.org.uk

Home-Start is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity.

Home-Start Guildford is committed to safer recruitment practice as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Registered Charity No. 1154609