Elizabeth House Community Centre Join our Board of Trustees! Who are we? The Highbury Vale Blackstock Trust (HVBT) was founded by local residents as a Charity in September 1993 to save and operate Elizabeth House, a grassroot, multi-purpose Community Centre. Through our community-based approach - acting as a community ‘anchor’ – we build trust and bring people together so that we can connect residents to practical support and opportunities. Our vision is for everyone in the local community around Elizabeth House to have a better quality of life through accessing key services and activities. The Charity is dedicated to providing a safe and open space, as well as inclusive and flexible services for the community. We aim to have a meaningful and positive influence on the local community. Our priority is to respond to the needs of the local community, especially people with high needs or who are underserved. Elizabeth House provides a range of services open to all and a place for local people to use, as well as a space and support for other organisations to deliver their services and activities. Being a Trustee of the Highbury Vale Blackstock Trust The Charity and the Community Centre are run through the Board of Trustees. Trustees play a key role in making sure HVBT and Elizabeth House achieve their purpose and priorities, as well as complying with all the relevant laws and regulations. Trustees oversee the overall management of the Charity. They ensure that our work and goals are in line with our mission and vision. Trustees support the executive team, but also challenge the team so the organisation continue to adapt and thrive. Trustees have a collective responsibility. They always act as a group and not as individuals. You can read more about the role of Trustees on the Charity Commission’s website: Charity trustee: what’s involved (CC3a) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The Trustee’s commitment to the Charity will include attending quarterly board meetings and the annual community event (late September). It is also expected that trustees will visit the centre to meet staff and volunteers, build their understanding of what we do, and provide support to the Executive Director. At times, the trustees may need to be actively involved in new initiatives, special events, to lead discussions on key issues or provide guidance in new areas. Trustees are expected to give around 4 to 8 hours per month, through face-to-face meetings, visits and active support in specific projects (e.g. events, recruitment, strategy, research). The roles are unpaid, but the charity can pay reasonable travel expenses. Going forward, we intend that trustees are appointed for a maximum of two three-year terms. Renewal of terms is not a given and will be led by organisational needs. We also want to make sure Updated January 2024 that not all trustees retire at the same time, so we welcome new applications on a rolling basis to make sure the Board has at least seven trustees at all times. Who are we looking for? Trustees should all be from the local community, living in Islington, Hackney or Haringey. While it is important that some Trustees have certain relevant professional expertise, not all Trustees need to have a particular professional experience to be valuable. Commitment to the local community, ability to bring a fresh perspective, and ‘lived experience’ of the types of challenges faced by users of the Community Centre are as important. When considering applications for new Trustees, as well as looking at how your experience, skills and knowledge can support Elizabeth House, we are also looking for qualities which we ask from all of our trustees such as: Integrity and good judgement; • A commitment to the mission of HVBT; • An ability to meet the time requirements; • • An ability to think creatively and work collaboratively; • A willingness to speak your mind and respect other’s opinions; • An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship (we can facilitate training on this); • A desire to make a difference in your local community. HVBT recruits on a rolling basis and may prioritise candidates with particular types of experience, knowledge and skills for an effective and diverse board of trustees. At the moment we are particularly (but not exclusively) welcoming applications from candidates with ‘lived experience’ of the types of challenges faced by users of the Community Centre (such as poverty, food insecurity, social isolation, single parenthood and adverse childhood or youth experiences). Why join us? Highbury Vale Blackstock Trust has been running services and activities at Elizabeth House for over 30 years, and we are looking for trustees to join our dynamic team. With local government services being reduced or cut, Elizabeth House is well-placed to fill the gaps that have been left. We would love to hear from you if you share our passion for bringing positive change and making a difference in the local community. Give back, develop your experience/skills and local network. If you are interested in becoming a trustee, we are very happy to organise a visit and meeting with the Director director@elizabeth-house.org.uk so you can find out more. If you know Elizabeth House well, please send a brief expression of interest to introduce yourself and give a little information on what you would bring to the role, as well as what motivated you to apply. You may wish to attach your CV. If your application is considered suitable, we will get in touch to organise an interview with a panel including other trustees. Appointment is subject to approval by HVBT’s trustees. Recommended trustees will be invited to attend the next board meeting. You can find more information about us on our website www.elizabeth-house.org.uk and by reading the most recent annual report 2022-23. Updated January 2024
HIGHBURY VALE-BLACKSTOCK TRUST
13.85 per hour
Elizabeth House Community Centre
Part-time
Recruitment Pack Premises Caretaker October 2025 Premises Caretaker - Recruitment Pack Welcome! Thank you for your interest in working with us at Elizabeth House Community Centre. This pack will give you the information you need to consider the role and how to apply. We are looking for a Premises Caretaker to join our passionate and community-driven team. Elizabeth House | Elizabeth House Community Centre has a rich history and is a cornerstone of our neighbourhood, serving as a safe and welcoming space for residents of all ages and backgrounds. The Premises Caretaker is the face of our thriving and welcoming Community Centre for out of hours activities. This is an important role at Elizabeth House ensuring the security of the building and its users, and supporting hirers and groups using the centre. The Premises Caretaker is also central to keeping the centre clean and well maintained for all services, activities and the rest of the team. Job Description JOB TITLE: Premises Caretaker (possible job share) HOURS: Variable hours. Regular days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (approx. 6-9.30 pm) and weekends (Saturday and Sunday, based on room bookings). HOURLY RATE: £13.85 per hour CONTRACT: Part-time, permanent PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 6-month probation period ANNUAL LEAVE: 25 days, plus bank holidays (pro rata) RESPONSIBLE TO: ________________________________________________________________________________ Deputy Centre Manager Summary of Job Elizabeth House Community Centre is a thriving space for local services, as well as groups and residents to hire space for their own activities. The Centre provides an inclusive and safe environment for everyone and supports other community groups who use space at Elizabeth House. The purpose of the job is to provide effective access to well-run premises and caretaking support to the community centre and all its users in the evenings and weekends, ensuring the security and upkeep of the building. Average working hours are 23+ hours per week. This could be a Job Share to enable flexible working across the evening and weekend shifts. 2 Appointment would be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and our safe recruitment process. Premises Caretaker - Recruitment Pack Main Duties and Responsibilities • • • • • • To undertake the daily/weekly/monthly caretaking and cleaning duties and to make sure that Elizabeth House is well presented for the effective use of all visitors and users. To be responsible for the security of the building and its content, for opening and locking up of the centre, as well as building supervision while hirers and visitors are at Elizabeth House. To ensure effective cleaning for hirers, members and team to have the best experience. To guide new hirers and support all groups with preparation for their meeting or event, as well as clearing out after use. To provide general maintenance and minor repairs, as agreed with the Deputy Centre Manager. To ensure that Elizabeth House is compliant with Health and Safety requirements for all evening and weekend users and staff in the Centre are adhered to. Other duties and responsibilities • To be the point of contact person for premises and facilities for visitors and hirers in the evening and weekend. • With the Operations team, help to coordinate all room users’ requirements for all activities and events at Elizabeth House. • • • • • • • To monitor the premises for any hazards, carrying out repairs or reporting problems, where necessary. Reporting any health and safety concerns to the Deputy Centre Manager. To monitor stock levels of consumables items such as cleaning products and supplies. To ensure heating, lighting and alarm systems are working properly. Check doors and windows are locked when the building is not in use. To ensure outside of the building is cleaned and maintained. To communicate with the Operations team and attend meetings and training as required. To comply with the Charity’s policies. To carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job and Elizabeth House’s, as requested by the Deputy Centre Manager. 3 Person Specification Premises Caretaker - Recruitment Pack • A background or experience of working in a facilities team environment or similar, • Manual handling and lifting will be required, • Cleaning experience, attention to detail and a proactive approach to tasks, • Knowledge of building’s related health and safety, • Experience or interest in doing and overseeing minor repairs and maintenance, • Ability to communicate confidently and effectively, • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, • To show flexibility with working days and hours when necessary. This role requires periods of lone working so the postholder will need to display a high degree of responsibility and professionalism in their work. The ability to use own initiative is essential. Post holders will be expected to be flexible in undertaking duties and responsibilities and may be asked to perform duties which reasonably align with the role of premises caretaker. HOW TO APPLY Please submit an updated CV and a brief covering letter/email highlighting how you meet the person specification. Please send your CV, cover letter and equal opportunities form by email or post: Email: administrator@elizabeth-house.org.uk Address: c/o Joanne Minton, Administrator Elizabeth House Community Centre 2 Hurlock Street, London N5 1ED Due to our limited resources, we will only contact you if we wish to take your application further. Closing date for applications: we are looking to recruit as soon as possible and will consider applications as we receive them and organise interviews with shortlisted candidates. Therefore, we encourage anyone interested in this role to apply promptly. 4 Premises Caretaker - Recruitment Pack Terms and Conditions of Employment Salary The remuneration for this post is £13.85 per hour. Contract The post is offered as a permanent contract, subject to references, the successful completion of a six-month probationary period and an Enhanced DBS check. Hours of work The contracted hours are variable. They depend on bookings and room usage, but regular working days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (approx. 6 to 9.30 pm), as well as Saturday and Sunday depending on room hire. On average, the Premises Caretaker works 23 hours per week. Annual leave Paid leave entitlement is 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata. Place of work The post will be based at Elizabeth House Community Centre, 2 Hurlock Street, London N5 1ED. In order to verify the right to work in the UK, we are required to confirm the identity of any potential employees. We will seek documentation as evidence of identity and right to work. Any information supplied will be treated in confidence and in accordance with the Data Protection Act. We offer: • Ongoing supervision • 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme • Free childcare at Elizabeth House (based on agreed allocation) • A friendly, welcoming and supportive team • Opportunities for further development and training Racial justice, wider inclusion and diversity Elizabeth House operates in some of the most diverse boroughs of London. We are working towards a goal where our team fully reflects that diversity and difference in lived experiences. 40% of our team and Board of Trustees are from ethnic minority backgrounds. We are fully committed to running a recruitment process that underlines our commitment to racial justice and wider inclusion and diversity. We want Elizabeth House to be a place where our individual differences and contributions are truly recognised and valued. We want to support people with disabilities and are fully committed to make any reasonable adjustments so that everyone can apply to this role. We are serious about working with the right candidate to make any role work for them. The information you provide will be used solely in the recruitment process and will be retained for six months from the date on which you are informed whether you have been invited to interview, or six months from the date of interview. Such information may include details relating to ethnic monitoring and disability: these will be used solely for internal monitoring and will not be disclosed to any third party. 5
Support the local community: BECOME A TRUSTEE We are looking for community members and service users to join the Board of Trustees Especially looking for people with legal, education Location: /childcare and finance/fundraising skills For more information contact: administrator@elizabeth-house.org.uk or give us a call on: 020 7690 1300