Company Overview
Home-Start Essex is a dedicated family support charity committed to supporting families in Mid, South and West Essex. We deliver high-quality, family-led services that help families overcome challenges such as anxiety, isolation, domestic abuse, mental health issues, financial stress, and school readiness.
Bringing up children is hard work, and all parents and carers will, from time to time, encounter problems, which make the task harder. Our work seeks to build upon parents’ strengths, to empower them and their families to move forward. Through our core model of volunteer led home-visiting support provided alongside a wide range of projects, activities and group support we are able to work responsively with parents/ carers to build their confidence and resilience and to improve the outcomes for their children.
We supported over 1000 families in 2025-26, benefitting 2,285 children across Mid, South and West Essex. This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff and of course, our amazing volunteers.
Families and communities are changing and facing huge challenges with the cost-of-living crisis impacting on their mental health and wellbeing and we need to be responsive, adapt and be prepared for the future.
Job Overview
We are seeking 2 motivated and dedicated Volunteer Trustees to join our board and contribute to the strategic direction of our organisation.
We are particularly looking for people with experience/background in one of more of the following:
You will join 8 friendly and welcoming fellow Trustees, who are committed along with all staff and volunteers, to furthering the development of the charity. You do not need to have experience of charity work or have been a Trustee before, as there is a comprehensive induction to the role.
The role will be subject to two satisfactory references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Please note this role is voluntary, but relevant out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Board meetings are held every quarter on a Friday morning (times for meetings are regularly reviewed to ensure we meet the needs of all Trustees) and alternate between in person and virtual.
As a Trustee you would also be expected to join one of our three Board Committees which also meet every quarter. These committees are: Human Resources Management, Operation and Governance, Fundraising and Business Management which includes all our financial reporting and budgeting.
We have a mixture of trustees and senior staff on each committee and there are always opportunities to contribute and chair these committees if you are interested.
In addition, there is an annual Strategic Planning Day and Trustee development opportunities. Trustees are also invited to volunteer celebration events as well as all-staff meetings if they are able.
A Trustee role at Home-Start Essex will allow you to help us shape the charity moving forward and to build a sustainable future so that children are given the best possible start in life.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free or subsidised travel
- On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Maldon
