Volunteer Trustee

We are looking for two new trustees and for one of these to bring an understanding and specialism in HR. This is an exciting opportunity to join and support an established organisation with a clear strategy and focus.

Time & Talents is a lively, busy community centre in the heart of Rotherhithe, London SE16 with a second venue in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. With a history of 135 years of supporting people of all ages in Rotherhithe and Bermondsey who need us the most, we bring people together for mutual support, fun and friendship, with a wide range of services and activities for older people and other adults, along with children and families’ programmes and a range of volunteering projects. We are at an exciting stage of development in our programmes and activities to reduce loneliness and social isolation in the local community by supporting more older adults and families living in poverty. We have 17 staff and around 65 volunteers. The predicted turnover for 2022-2023 is around £500k.

The impact of a global pandemic and the growing cost of living crisis adds to the challenges for a local charity of this size, and we are looking for two new trustees to replace ones who have completed their full term or moved away.

Time & Talents is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity, and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person that they are. We actively encourage applications from a broad range of ages, backgrounds and experiences.

We are seeking applicants who have a strong personal commitment to Time & Talents, ideally those who either live or work in Southwark. However, we are keen to meet applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and experience to provide a balanced and effective Board for this thriving, popular and well-established Rotherhithe institution.

The Board meets quarterly and up to six times per year. Meetings take place at 18:00 in our centre in Rotherhithe (The Old Mortuary).

Please download the role description and application form below. Please submit your application form with a copy of your CV here. The closing date is 09.00 on 30 January 2023.

If you would like an informal chat about the organisation and/or the trustee role, please email [email protected] with your phone number and a suitable time for us to call.

The role of a trustee of Time & Talents is varied. On becoming a trustee, you will be expected to:
1. Attend at least four board meetings per year
2. Possibly serve on a committee of the board
3. Attend the annual Strategy Day organised for all trustees
4. Adhere to the Nolan principles of public life and to commit to the Time & Talents’
code of behaviour
5. Treat staff, service users, volunteers and any others that they come into contact with during
their time representing the charity with mutual respect
6. On occasion to represent and/or volunteer at events for Time & Talents.
Collective Responsibilities:
• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Ensure the charity complies with its articles of association, charity law, company law and any
other relevant legislation or regulations
• Determine the overall direction of the charity by maintaining good governance standards and
providing clear strategic direction
• Safeguard and promote the reputation of the charity
• Maintain the fiduciary duty invested in the board ensuring that duties are carried out with
regard to public confidence and trust in the Charity
• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly
• Ensure the charity is accountable: with strong financial management and robust
internal controls for the protection of the charity’s funds and assets
• Act with reasonable care and skill: to take relevant professional advice in all matters where a
material risk may arise to the charity, or where the trustees may be in breach of their duties
Requirements of individual trustees:
• To act in the best interests of the charity as a whole
• To promote, maintain and develop the charity for public benefit
• To declare personal conflicts of interest initially, and then on an ongoing basis
• To ensure that there is an appropriate method for the appointment and support of the
Director
• To exercise independent judgement and apply specialist skills where appropriate when
contributing to discussions and making decisions
• To act within the charity’s constitutional documents
• To be aware that trustees do not exercise individual powers, except when those are
delegated specifically to them
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or
experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve:
• Scrutinising board papers
• Leading discussions
• Focusing on key issues
• Providing guidance on new initiatives
• Other issues in which the trustee has special expertise

Time & Talents is a charity which provides services to the community in the Rotherhithe and
Bermondsey areas. Ensuring that the organisation is led by a strong board and trustees with a wealth
of experience in both the commercial and charitable sectors is of great importance to the board and
staff alike. Normally, trustees will be expected to live or work in Southwark.
At Time & Talents our mission is to:
• Increase the happiness and wellbeing of our community
• Build a strong sense of place and shared experience through shared space
• Make sure no one has to feel lonely, isolated or excluded, especially those most in need
• Reduce divisions and create community cohesion
• Help people support each other, by sharing their time and talents
• Stimulate community activity to build thriving, active neighborhoods
Our Strategy
We engage with as many people in our community as possible, through a wide variety of
programmes and activities that provide fun, friendship and mutual support, and make our local area
a happier, healthier, place to live.
We make this all happen by offering:
• Groups of many different kinds for children, adults, and families, which foster meaningful and
lasting social relationships
• Targeted individual support for people in need
• A huge range of fun activities and events to bring everyone together and reduce social divisions
• Space and practical support for community activities
• Volunteering and community development to boost and sustain local capacity
Our core values drive everything we do:
• We believe that ‘community’ doesn’t just happen, and that communities have to work hard to
make sure no one is excluded
• We think connected people are happier, healthier people, and that people are happiest when
they’re able to help others and receive help in return
• We believe passionately in inclusion in all forms
• We also know that place matters, and people need to feel genuinely involved in the place where
they live
• Settlements are a powerful force for positive changes, and the Settlement Movement is more
relevant than ever