MEMBER ADVOCATE TRUSTEE

Member Advocate TrusteeJob Pack About Headway East LondonHeadway East London is a unique, diverse and creative community of peopleliving with brain injury and their support network. Currently working across13 London boroughs, with plans for expansion into 4 more, the organisationoffers specialist support and services including therapies, advocacy andfamily and community support. We are a buzzing community where people connect, collaborate, andparticipate. We support our  members (as we call our service users) to developself-identities — friend, artist, dancer,  singer, chef, domino player that arelocated in the present and future rather than the past. Job DetailsJob Title: Organisation: Location:  Duration/ Term:Hours:MEMBER ADVOCATE TRUSTEEHeadway East London238-240 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AX 3 terms of 3 yearsUp to 5 hours per monthTrustee positions are voluntary, but reasonable expenseswill be reimbursed. Member AdvocateTrusteeRegistered Charity No: 1083910. Registered Charity No: 1083910. Brain injury can affect anyone, and our members often experience multipleforms of discrimination because of the intersection between their disabilityand other parts of their identity including race, gender, sexuality or age. Wework with marginalised groups, disproportionally affected by the cost-of-living crisis and often reliant on a complex and unfair benefits system. At Headway East London, members can access the support they need whilstbeing recognised as individuals. Our volunteers, members and their supportnetwork are the experts of brain injury. We work in partnership to achievetransformative change for survivors – to build a world in which people withbrain injury are valued, respected and able to fulfil their potential. Our work is guided by the principle of co-production. Projects aim to be co-produced in response to our members’ needs, desires, and ambitions.Through steering groups, catch-up groups and regular opportunities forconversation and feedback, members are actively involved in developingnew ideas and helping to make decisions. We have great ambition and want to support more brain injury survivorsthan ever before and create a society where brain injury survivors are valued,respected and able to fulfil their potential and lead full and active lives.   We have an income of 2.7 million, an experienced Board of Trustees, adedicated and enthusiastic team of 55 permanent employees and over 25committed volunteers. Registered Charity No: 1083910. Registered Charity No: 1083910. About the roleRegistered Charity No: 1083910. This is an exciting opportunity to join a distinctive and values-drivenorganisation. We are currently seeking a new Trustee who will bring a wealthof understanding of the lived experience of our members. The memberrepresentative will play a crucial role on the board – bringing with them apersonal connection to our mission and values and understanding of braininjury and the Headway Community. The member representative will be a visible and approachable presencewithin our community, upholding the importance of relationships with ourmembers – people living with brain injury – and ensuring that this insightinforms strategic thinking.They will support the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for the charity’sambitious strategy and governance and work effectively as a team with othermembers of the Board.Registered Charity No: 1083910. Registered Charity No: 1083910. Registered Charity No: 1083910. More detailsWe are looking for someone whobrings:Excellent communication skills – able to ask thoughtful, challengingquestions and engage in productive Board discussions.Understanding of charity finances and risk oversight.The ability to work collaboratively with the Senior Management Team toshape and monitor organisational goals, policies and performance.A natural, down-to-earth style – personable, non-hierarchical andapproachable.Personal connection to the Headway East London community - with livedexperience of having a brain injury or supporting someone with a brain injury.A commitment to engaging in community events to meet and be a visiblepresence to members: open days, open studios, Headway Eats and othermember-led events.A values-led approach and belief in the power of human relationships to drivestrategic outcomes.Knowledge and understanding of different industries, and a well-roundedview of how different sectors approach problem-solving.The Board meets at least 5 times a year in person. In addition to thesemeetings the Chair is also expected to attend other committee meetings, i.e.the Finance and Audit Committee. It is important that the Chair can visit Headway locations and be availableon a regular basis.    Trustees are required to commit up to 5hrs per month to the organisation.Trustee positions are voluntary but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Time CommitmentRegistered Charity No: 1083910. Registered Charity No: 1083910. Registered Charity No: 1083910. From our members“It’s colossal. It’s a brilliant organisation. It’s very difficult talking to peoplewho don’t understand brain-injury. Headway East London is a largecommunity of people discovering the fullness of life after the shock of braininjury. It’s a place to come together to go through the journey together. It’snot easy, but Headway makes it easier, it’s relaxing, I switch off, the stresscomes off my shoulders.”“The Headway community gives us all an opportunity to find a previouslyhidden creativity, giving our lives a purpose we thought was lost. It is anamazing magical place, a joint enterprise with staff, members andvolunteers working together, looking forward not back. Life hasn’t endedafter brain injury; it’s a new beginning. We are understood and not judgedand encouraged on our new journey feeling warmth, security andunderstanding. Peaceful – not quiet? Home from home like a pair of warmslippers. We are a family.” We look forward to welcoming you into our community. What Headway is like...Registered Charity No: 1083910. The deadline to apply is 9am, 11 May 2026. Interviews will be held in week commencing 25 May 2026. When submitting your application, please let us know of dates you are not availablefor interview.  Please submit your CV (including two referees) , a covering letter and the voluntaryEqual Opportunities Monitoring Form to recruitment@headwayeastlondon.org.NOTE: this role is not for members accessing our services.Interested applicants are encouraged to informally contact Sarah Lantsbury, ChiefExecutive to find out more about the role and our organisation:Sarah.lantsbury@headwayeastlondon.org or call on 020 7749 7790  No agencies please.If you have not heard from us by 29 May 2026, please assume that your applicationhas not been successful.Headway East London is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed toensuring that all staff are motivated, skilled and rewarded by their work. Wewelcome applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, colour, national origin, sex,sexual orientation, disability, age and other protected status as required by law. Wepromote and protect human rights; they are the foundation of what we do. We want to be an inclusive place where a diverse mix of talented people want tocome and contribute their unique strengths and perspectives. We are focused onequality and believe that all the fascinating characteristics that make us different,make us more able to deliver our life-changing work with passion and creativity. To apply Registered Charity No: 1083910.