Trustee

Recruitment PackThe Winchester Beacon20B Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8RZ01962 862050www.winchesterbeacon.org.ukCharity number 1080443TitleTrusteefrom our Chairof TrusteesThe Winchester Beacon aims to provide hope, dignity and practical support to peopleexperiencing homelessness and social exclusion in our community. Our work is rooted incompassion and a deep commitment to enabling people to rebuild their lives. As atrustee, you would play a vital role in helping us sustain and strengthen this mission.Trustees at The Winchester Beacon are responsible for setting the strategic direction ofthe charity, ensuring strong governance and financial stewardship and supporting thestaff and volunteer team to deliver high-quality services. We are seeking individuals who share our values and who can bring a diversity of skillsand perspectives to our board. We value integrity, good judgement and a genuinecommitment to our cause.Becoming a trustee is both a serious responsibility and a deeply rewarding opportunity.On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank you for considering giving your time andexpertise to support vulnerable people to move forward positively. We look forward to receiving your application.Yours sincerely,Vicky HemmingsChair of the Board of TrusteesWelcomeOn behalf of the board of directors of The Winchester Beacon, I would like tothank you for your interest in the role of trustee. ContentsPage 2: Our HistoryPage 3: Our Vision, Mission and ValuesPage 4: How we help1Page 6: Job descriptionOurHistoryThe Winchester Beacon (TWB) is the operating name of Winchester ChurchesNightshelter (WCNS) which was set up in 1988 by Churches Together inWinchester. Run by voluntary effort, the charity group used various buildingsaround the city, including church halls and temporarily vacant properties.In 1995, we became an independent registered charity moving into ourdedicated premises on Jewry Street in central Winchester in 1997. The building,which was owned by Hampshire County Council, has been used as a Victoriangas-works, a Burberry factory, a bakery, a co-operative dairy, a printing worksand finally a library store. The Winchester and District Housing Associationagreed to develop the site, in a joint venture, to provide a shelter for thehomeless on the ground floor and ten low cost studio flats above. TheNightshelter was officially opened on the 14 September 1997 by local Baptistminister, Rev Paul Hills. We now also manage three offsite properties which together accommodatean additional twelve people. These four-bedroom houses act as a steppingstone to independent living. All of our twenty-two residents are able to benefitfrom personalised wraparound support to enable them to rebuild their lives. During the pandemic we adapted our services to ensure that we could stayopen. This involved moving to single bedrooms to reduce shared airspace andextending our opening hours so that our residents could ‘stay home’ duringlockdown. These changes lived on beyond the pandemic after we saw thepositive impact they had on our residents. It was at this point that we changedour operating name to The Winchester Beacon as we had become so muchmore than a nightshelter.The Winchester Beacon is the operating name of Winchester Churches Nightshelter, a company limited by guarantee.Registered Company number 03928334Registered Charity number 1080443Registered office: 20B Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8RZ2OurVision, Mission& ValuesHonest and openSafe and supportiveFlexible and caringWe treat everyone with kindness and respect, withoutprejudice or discrimination.We provide a home where residents can be comfortable andsafe and can find the help and restoration of self-esteemthey need.We foster collaboration to work as a team with residents,staff, volunteers, the local community and other agencies /partners.Vision: To transform lives, inspire hope and end     homelessness.Mission: To help break the cycle of homelessness byenabling people to rebuild their lives.3How weHelpEach of our residents is able to benefit from one-to-one personalised support. TheirSupport Worker works alongside them to establish issues at a root of, and as aresult of, their homelessness. Together, they identify the areas that they needsupport to help them to meet their goals and rebuild a life away fromhomelessness.Free counselling and psychotherapyBudgeting adviceHelp with substance misuseTenancy and housing supportHelp to find training and employmentLife coachingOngoing support when they transition to independent living.Residents can access:Free activities for residents include:Gym pass to local leisure centreBoxing classesGuided cycling clubCookery clubHaircuts.Larry’s StoryLarry, 66, became homeless after his mother passed away. They had been living together inthe council house that had been their family home for over 40 years. Originally in Larry’sfather’s name, when he passed away the tenancy moved to his mother. This meant that legallythe house could not be passed on again and so Larry was instructed to leave.“George, my Support Worker at The Beacon, helped me sort out my pension. I knew it was therebut I couldn’t access it, I didn’t know much about the internet so George helped me.I’ve moved into my own one-bedroom flat. The Winchester Beacon helped me apply for it andalso sorted out furniture and a cooker for me so that I start with what I need.Having now experienced homelessness, I value having a space in the world even more than I didbefore. It’s easy to worry about how I’ll cope living on my own but I’m going to take it as it comesand I know I still have the support of The Winchester Beacon.”4TrusteeRole Description6Trustees are volunteer members of the charity’s board, collectively responsible forthe governance, strategic leadership and oversight of The Winchester Beacon.Trustees help to ensure the charity delivers on our mission, operates within legal andregulatory frameworks and remains financially sustainable. This role offers ameaningful opportunity to support an impactful local charity and contribute topositive change in the community.Governance and Legal ResponsibilitiesEnsure The Winchester Beacon operates in line with our governing documents andcomplies with charity law and company law duties. Act in the best interests of the charity, exercising independent judgment, integrity andproper care in decision-making. Safeguard the reputation, values and assets of the charity.Strategic LeadershipContribute to setting and safeguarding The Winchester Beacon’s vision, mission andlong-term strategy. Help develop and approve strategic plans, objectives and performance goals.Support the board in reviewing progress and impact against agreed targets.Financial StewardshipOversee the charity’s financial planning and sustainability. Approve budgets and monitor financial performance.Ensure resources are used responsibly to further the charity’s goals.Oversight and Risk ManagementEnsure systems are in place for effective risk management and compliance includingsafeguarding.Monitor and challenge operational performance where appropriate.Support and EngagementBuild strong working relationships with fellow trustees, the CEO and senior staff. Act as an ambassador for the charity with stakeholders, funders, local partners andsupporters.Bring your skills, experience and networks to support organisational growth andimpact.As a trustee of The Winchester Beacon, you will:Role Description continued7How to applyPerson SpecificationWe are looking for candidates who:Are passionate about ending homelessness and supporting vulnerable people. Are able to think strategically and contribute constructively in board discussions.Have relevant experience in areas such as governance, finance, law, HR, fundraising,risk management, communications, housing, health and social care, or communityservices (preferred but not essential).Are willing to actively contribute and commit time to board responsibilitiesincluding preparing for meetings.Ability to foster good practice in volunteers.Excellent communication skills with staff and volunteers as well as fellow trustees.An understanding of the importance of collaboration and problem-solving.Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office 365 applicationsCommitment to attend board meetings regularly, at least every 6 weeks andvolunteer for other sub-committees as appropriate.Able to devote around 2-3 hours per week on preparing for meetings and answeringqueries from operational teams and the wider board.Terms of AppointmentThis is a voluntary and unpaid role (reasonable expenses may be reimbursed).  Please send your CV and a brief email explaining your interest in joining our charity inthis role to ceo@winchesterbeacon.org.uk. We will be shortlisting candidates on arolling basis so early application is recommended.