Do you want to be part of a dynamic charity working at the forefront of the cost-of-living crisis and the twin challenges of food poverty and unhealthy diets? We’re looking for a new Trustee to join our Board.
- Job Title: Trustee
- Reports to: Chair of Trustee Board
- Direct Reports: None
- Location: London & Remote
- Salary: Voluntary
- Hours: 10 hours per quarter
What will you be doing?
Through our Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project, we’ve created an innovative response to tackle the problem of food poverty and unhealthy diets. We started this work in 2014 with a small pilot supporting 45 families in the London Borough of Hackney. Since then, we’ve helped over 10,000 families across the UK. In 2022, we launched the UK’s first large-scale trials of fruit & vegetables on prescription – in partnership with community health organisations and social prescribers. This was an innovation previously championed by Henry Dimbleby in his National Food Strategy and garnered the Charity a huge amount of attention at a national level. In 2023 our work received the Food Innovation award at the BBC Food & Farming Awards.
The concept is simple and effective. Working with local organisations that support young families (Children’s Centres, nurseries, social prescribers, refugee and migrant organisations), we distribute vouchers to over 2,000 families every week. The vouchers can be redeemed for fresh fruit and veg from local markets, independent greengrocers, convenience stores, and even a mobile fruit and veg bus! Through this innovative and original approach, the project ensures families can access a healthy diet and supports the vibrancy and sustainability of local independent food economies.
We’re looking for trustees who have the knowledge, skills, and passion to take a successful concept and turn it into a national movement for the improvement of the UK’s food system.
What are we looking for?
There are a number of skills that we are looking to strengthen on our Board, so you might be able to support us if you have one of the following skills:
• Direct experience of the communities we work with and the challenges they face in accessing a healthy diet.
• Knowledge of fundraising and a track record of leveraging networks to support and deliver successful fundraising campaigns.
• Experienced in financial management from either a charity or commercial perspective.
• Experience in charity law and governance
Please make it clear in your application which area you believe your skills can best contribute to the organisation’s success. Please note that all Trustees will be expected to support the charity’s fundraising efforts. However, this can take many forms—professional experience, access to networks, or a commitment to community fundraising.
What difference will you make?
Our trustees tell us that they feel they make a real difference through their involvement and applying their skills to develop our work.
Our Board plays a vital role in making sure that Alexandra Rose Charity (ARC) achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the Charity. They also ensure that ARC has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable ARC to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission to give families access to fresh fruit & vegetables in their communities.
We want to ensure that our Board better reflects the diversity of those who belong to the communities that we support. So, we particularly welcome interest and applications from Black, Asian, and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. We would also like to better reflect the geographic reach of our project work and would therefore be interested in applicants from Yorkshire, Northwest England, and Scotland.
This could be your first trustee role, or you could already have some experience. We have a full induction process and ongoing training to mentor and navigate you through your first year.
Before you apply
Please see the role description available to download below:
Role Description Trustee – Alexandra Rose Charity 2024
- Please provide a cover letter outlining the skills, knowledge and lived experience you believe you could bring to Alexandra Rose Charity
- Please send your CV and cover letter to lucy@alexandrarose.org.uk
N.B Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted
Closing date updated: Friday 25 October at 17:00.
Interviews will take place online on the 7th,11th,14th, & 15th November
Successful candidates will be appointed at the Board meeting on 21st November 2024 at 5:00 pm
If you require any further information, including an informal chat or requests for reasonable adjustments, please contact lucy@alexandrarose.org.uk