Trustee of Elleray Community Association

What will you be doing?

The Elleray Community Association (ECA) is a registered Charity that manages the services provided at The Elleray Centre based in Teddington. 

The Elleray Centre is a place for people to reconnect with old friends and meet new people in a secure and inviting setting. While activities are primarily aimed at elderly and vulnerable adults in the local area, the centre is open to everyone, aiming to alleviate loneliness and isolation through social activities. 

Our current programme includes 

• Social gatherings at the Elleray Social Club.
• Arts, crafts, educational talks, and workshops.
• Exercise Classes, Gentle fitness classes tailored for seniors, both indoor and outdoor.
• Counselling and support groups.
• Outings
• Services like hairdressing, chiropody, and daily hot lunches 

Our Social Club has a membership of over 200 mostly elderly adults with attendance of up to 40 people daily who are to continue live independently. 

The recent move to the newly built Elleray Centre from the smaller Elleray Hall has brought the opportunity to expand the charities impact in the community whilst still focussing on its charitable aims. In this regard we work in close partnership with Richmond Council, our largest funder, to grow the Elleray Centre’s role and impact as Teddington’s community centre. We also have a café facility which we are looking to establish with volunteers to support local social groups getting together. We collaborate with other community centres and organisations in the borough.  

The Elleray Centre is managed by a Centre Manager, Administrator, Activity and Volunteer Coordinator, and a Cook. They are supported by a team of approximately 40 volunteers who assist in the office, gardens, café, and facilitate daily activities. The organisation operates as a Charitable Company regulated by the Charities Commission and has eight Trustees on the Board of Trustees. The Trustees meet six times a year, with additional meetings as needed working as a sub-committee covering aspects of finance, fundraising, operations, resources and marketing. 

What are we looking for?

Being a member of the Trustees Board and a statutory director of the ECA you will:

• Support and provide advice on ECA’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Guide the work of the ECA in line with the governing documents and business plans, ensuring resources are used appropriately. 
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee ECA’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress. Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve ECA’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to the ECA’s management team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in ECA’s operating environment and be active in stakeholder engagement (including meetings with funders such as Richmond council.
• Contribute to regular reviews of the ECA’s own governance.
• Attend Board meetings and be prepared to contribute to discussions and lead on proposed outcomes.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect ECA’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of ECA’s objectives, aims, and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge, and contacts.
• Support the chair from time to time, with administering trustee board and selected committee meetings including, setting agendas, dates/times, informing attendees, distributing agendas and papers, taking minutes and maintaining records. 

What difference will you make?

As a trustee you will shape our evolving strategy to develop the ECA’s work in responding to local social needs and the opportunities from the new Elleray Centre facility. 

Your expertise and experience will contribute to our growth from the strong legacy of the Adult Social Club established in Elleray Hall, to now reaching out to a wider section of the community. You will work closely with the Chair to keep our governance arrangements remain aligned with our strategic plans. 

As a trustee of the ECA you will have the opportunity to enable people in SW London and Teddington to continue to live independently and quality of life from social interaction. 

As trustees we work together closely with each other, the staff and volunteers to keep improving what we do to alleviate isolation and loneliness in the Teddington area. We listen and engage effectively, are comfortable with challenge and debate and encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment 

Anything else...

The amount of time trustees give depends on how many of the sub-committee and volunteering work they get involved with.