Volunteer Chair of Trustees

What will you be doing?

Governance & Board Leadership

Providing strategic leadership to the trustee board, ensuring HSW’s vision, values, and mission are upheld to benefit local families. Ensuring the board uses resources responsibly and legally, in line with the charity’s objectives, regulations, and good governance. Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion across HSW, ensuring these values are reflected in governance, service delivery, and engagement. Overseeing the annual cycle of trustee and sub-committee meetings. Setting meeting agendas and monitoring implementation of board decisions. Chairing and facilitating trustee and sub-committee meetings.

Strategy & Performance

Ensuring HSW’s outcomes align with strategic and funding targets. Collaborating with the Director, trustees, and fundraising consultant on grant applications and fundraising activity.

Finance & Risk Management

Working with the Treasurer to ensure HSW’s finances are sufficient for current and future commitments. Overseeing compliance with the Home-Start UK Agreement and quality assurance standards.

External Relations & Fundraising

Building and maintaining relationships with corporate and local funders. Representing HSW at relevant events and meetings. Acting as a spokesperson where appropriate. Promoting HSW and identifying opportunities to raise its profile and secure funding through relationships and engagement.

People & Culture

Supporting the Director, offering guidance and maintaining oversight of operations, while fostering trust and collaboration. Ensuring safeguarding policies are upheld at board level and risks are appropriately monitored. Ensuring the Director has clear objectives, regular performance reviews, and support. Participating in staff appointment or disciplinary panels, as appropriate, with objectivity. Supporting change and addressing any board or organisational conflict.

What are we looking for?

Proven leadership and strategic skills Commitment to Home-Start and willingness to devote necessary time and effort Good interpersonal, delegation and communication skills Confident in speaking publicly  Good independent judgement and creative thinking Understanding of board dynamics and legal responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship  Ability to work in a team Experience of safeguarding and risk management  Awareness of DEI principles and inclusive leadership  Digital literacy 

What difference will you make?

A genuine positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged young children and families across the Borough of Wandsworth.