Trustee - Open Door St Albans Charity

Volunteer Opportunity - Open Door Charity Trustee

The Open Door Charity is looking for two new trustees to contribute to its work supporting rough sleepers in the St Albans area. We are specifically looking for individuals with:

• Experience of working with agencies and organisations which support those who are homeless, potentially homeless or in poor or insecure accommodation,
• Experience of charitable funding raising.

Who are the Open Door Charity?

The Open Door Charity is a community response to homelessness, working in partnership with key players in the St Albans area. Our mission is to ensure that full and effective support is available to prevent rough sleeping and help former rough sleepers to be healthy, safe and rebuild their lives. We raise funds and bring together volunteers to:

• Provide critical support to the Open Door Night Shelter (including food, kitchen staff counselling & mental health support);
• Run the annual Winter Beds Project; and
• Support the St Albans Council outreach services for rough sleepers

We also constantly assess the changing nature of homelessness in the area to identify gaps where assistance is needed.

What is the role of the trustees?

i) Core Responsibilities

Collectively the trustees form the Board of the Open Door Charity, setting the strategic direction for the charity and maintaining governance. Specific trustee responsibilities include:

• Attending trustee board meetings (the Board meets around 8 or 9 times a year, on Monday evening, usually for 1 - 2 hours.
• Assessing applications from organisations including Hightown Housing Association for project funding (e.g. equipment/furniture purchases, new roles & resources etc).
• Monitoring the achievements & impact of the Night Shelter and of the Safer Streets Outreach Worker.
• Overseeing the Winter Beds Project (managed by a separate Steering Group)
• Contributing functional/vocational knowledge and skills to charity projects where needed (i.e. marketing, finance, digital etc).

ii) Supplementary Responsibilities

Given the Charity currently only has one employee (the Volunteer, Publicity and Fundraising Coordinator - working on a part-time basis), plus some paid consultancy for research and project development, trustees on occasion will provide hands-on support in progressing charity projects & initiatives. Examples of such projects which have the involvement of current trustees include:

• Supporting our paid coordinator in raising funds to continue our support for the Night Shelter and other projects;
• Managing the Winter Beds Project (supported by a Steering Group of volunteers & in collaboration with the council);
• Maintaining charity financial records; and
• Evolving the charity's website, social media and CRM systems

We are advertising for these posts and would like to hear from anyone with an interest by 31 July 2024.

If you would like more information or to discuss in more detail what is involved, please contact Peter Graham, Acting Chair, Open Door Charity; mobile 07745 189084, email peter.graham1@ntlword.com or Lindsey McLeod, Treasurer, 07803 339046 email treasurer@opendoorstalbans.org