Living Well Bromley Trustee Application Pack

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Introduction Thank you for your interest in becoming a trustee for Living Well, Bromley. Living Well aims to build a caring community, where people feel accepted, loved and valued. Our work reflects our Christian beliefs and everyone, whoever they are, is welcome to take part in Living Well. Based at Holy Trinity Beckenham church in Penge, Living Well has grown significantly in the last three years. We began with just a handful of people meeting for lunch once a week. Now, there are activities happening almost every day; including a foodbank, art therapy, a community garden and help with addiction, debt and mental health. Some of the people who come to us are living in poverty, or struggling with debt, social isolation, addiction or homelessness. Many of them tell us that they feel very alone. We hope that everyone taking part in Living Well will feel welcomed as part of a community and experience friendship and a sense of belonging. The demand for Living Well is growing and we want to make sure we can respond. To help with this, we are looking for new trustees, who will bring energy, expertise and commitment as we plan for the future. This information pack tells you more about Living Well and the people who take part, as well as the type of trustees we are looking for and how to apply. We hope that you will find it of interest and look forward to hearing from you.

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About Living Well Bromley Living Well began in 2011, in response to growing numbers of people calling at Holy Trinity Vicarage asking for help. Our aim is to build together a caring community, where people feel accepted, loved and valued. ‘Living Well’ suggests health and wholeness for individuals and community and also reminds us of Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman (John 4:10), where he talks about giving ‘living water’. Living Well achieves its aim by working with partners to support vulnerable people with addictions, mental health problems, debt, homelessness or other reasons – in Penge and the surrounding area. The services we provide include: • • • •

Foodbank - open three times each week Hot lunches every Friday Community garden Help with addiction

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Debt advice Mental health support Listening and drop in Art therapy

Our busiest day is Friday, when up to 80 people to enjoy a hot lunch, with plenty of conversation. We have an art group after lunch, and a time of Christian reflection and meditation. The foodbank is open every Friday afternoon. Our partners Living Well is part of the ministry of Holy Trinity Beckenham. We work closely with our partners, including other churches, Bromley Drug and Alcohol Service and Christians Against Poverty. We have strong links with housing associations and homelessness charities, to help people find accommodation. We receive donations of food and money from local people and businesses, including Sainsburys Penge. Last year, the Marriott Hotel, London chose Living Well to be one of its charities for the year. Our plans for the future Demand for Living Well is growing fast. We need to build our organisational capacity by developing a five year plan, training our volunteers, formalising our relationship with our partners, putting in place the right policies and procedures and planning for the onset of winter. Living Well is a registered charity no 1157385. Our trustees are: Revd Dr Nick Read, Jean Marzetti, Christine Stone, Grant Bones, Tom Lee-Smith, Claire Forbes.

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Our community Each week, up to 80 people take part in Living Well. Everyone is welcome, and all our services are free of charge. 

Most of the people who come to Living Well come from Penge and the surrounding areas. Two thirds of the people who take part are men, and one third are women.

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We have people of all ages taking part, from under 18s to over 65s. Most people who take part in Living Well are between 35 – 54 years of age.

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A third of the people who come to us are homeless, or sofa-surfing. 73% of people are receiving, or waiting for benefits. 15% of them tell us that they have no income at all.

We have a core of committed volunteers who keep Living Well running smoothly and safely. Our volunteers help with the foodbank or in the kitchen, make tea and coffee or simply sit and chat. Some people donate food regularly. Others use their skills and abilities in lots of different ways: for example, one volunteer brings her sewing machine to repair people’s clothes.

Our foodbank The foodbank is open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Over the past year, demand for food has grown steadily and we now give out over 200 bags of food per month. We rely almost entirely on donations of food to run the foodbank. We are grateful to very many generous supporters – individuals, churches and businesses – who regularly donate food, toiletries and other essentials. Unlike other foodbanks, we do not operate a voucher system. Instead, we spend time with each person who asks for food, to find out about their circumstances and any help they might need. Most people use the foodbank between one and five times before moving on. Foodbank opening hours Tuesday 3pm – 4pm Friday 1pm – 2.30pm Saturday 10.30am – 11.30am Free drop-in lunch Friday 1pm 4

Trustee recruitment Trustees are the people responsible under the governing document of Living Well Bromley for controlling the management and administration of Living Well Bromley. All trustees must act solely in the best interests of Living Well. We are looking for two new trustees to help us run Living Well now and to plan for the future. We are seeking people who share our Christian commitment to building a community with love, prayer, acceptance and wholeness at its heart. Job description        

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To ensure that Living Well delivers its aims as set out in its constitution and complies with charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations To develop strategy and plans, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance To ensure the financial stability of Living Well and the proper investment and use of funds in accordance with Living Well’s aims and the law To contribute actively to the trustee group, giving direction to Living Well, making decisions about how it is run and planning for the future To manage risk, and to ensure that Living Well remains a safe and secure environment for everyone who takes part To support the volunteers of Living Well and ensure that there are proper procedures in place for their recruitment and training To act in the best interests of Living Well, not of yourself or of any other organisation To use your specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the trustee group make good decisions. This may involve scrutinising trustee papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and other issues in which the trustee has special expertise. To act with integrity, and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of Living Well’s funds or assets To attend regular trustee meetings and to take part in other Living Well activities

Person specification We are looking for people who have:    

A commitment to the Christian faith and values of love, prayer, acceptance and wholeness in Christ The ability to commit regular time each month to Living Well and to take part in Living Well activities on a Friday from time to time A commitment to social justice and to tackling poverty, loneliness and injustice A connection with Penge and the surrounding area 5

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A willingness to act as a voice for those who are struggling with poverty, addiction, mental health problems or social isolation An understanding of the responsibilities of trusteeship The ability to work as part of a team, listening to and supporting others, while making their own independent contribution

In particular, we are looking for people with expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas:       

Housing and homelessness Fundraising Charity law and governance Mental health issues Recruiting and supporting volunteers Debt management and budgeting Benefits

Section 72(1) of the Charities Act 1993 disqualifies anyone who:    

has been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is spent is an undischarged bankrupt has previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or the Charity Commissioners is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986

It is an offence to act as a charity trustee while disqualified unless the Charity Commission has given a waiver under section 72(4) of the Charities Act 1993. Terms of appointment We are looking for trustees to serve for a term of three years, reviewed annually. Trustees will be expected to attend a minimum of four meetings per year and to take part in the activities of Living Well from time to time. You should be able to commit the equivalent of approximately six days per year. While the role is unpaid, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

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How to apply We welcome applications from anyone who meets the requirements set out in our job description and person specification. If you are interested in applying to join our trustee group, we would encourage you to visit Living Well one Friday to find out more about our community and how we work. You do not need to tell us in advance that you are coming, but if you do, we can make sure that someone is available to show you round and answer your questions. To let us know you are coming or to request more information about Living Well, please contact Holy Trinity Beckenham on 020 8778 7258 or by email at: [email protected] To apply, please send a CV and short letter of application, setting out why you are interested in becoming a trustee and how your skills and experience meet the requirements in the job description and person specification. Please include the names and contact details of two referees. We will only approach referees with your permission and if you are shortlisted for interview. Please send your application by email to the Revd Dr Nick Read at: [email protected]. The closing date for applications is 22 August 2014 We will be holding interviews for shortlisted applicants w/c 8 September 2014. The interviews will be with two of Living Well’s current trustees.

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