Learn English at Home Trustee Recruitment pack
Closing date for application: 18th May 2015, midday
Interview date: Wed 27th May 2015
Introduction from the Chair of Trustees
Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees of Learn English at Home. This year is an exciting and challenging year for LEAH, and a great time to join the team. The year ahead includes strategic planning to diversify income streams and restructure services, a programme of fundraising events, and an increased focus on staff and trustee development.
This application pack gives information about LEAH, your role as a trustee, the particular skills we are looking for, and what you can gain through becoming a LEAH trustee. Please visit our website and view our new video about LEAH’s work ( If you have any further questions or would like an informal discussion about the role you can speak to me or the LEAH Director, Kate Brown, by getting in touch through the LEAH office ().
I hope you will consider putting yourself forward.
Freda Lambert
Chair of Trustees
About LEAH
Learn English at Home is a small, local charity with big ambitions. We empower people through language. Our vision is that everyone can take an active role in the community. Our mission is to support ethnic minority adults, including refugees and migrants, to learn English. In particular, we work with clients who are unable to access formal ESOL classes due to their child-care responsibilities, ill health, disabling lack of self-confidence, or illiteracy in their first language.
LEAH currently works with over 500 people across the London boroughs of Kingston and Richmond. We provide the following services, all at no cost to our clients:
• One to one (1:1) English as a second language (ESOL) tuition in the client's home
• Group conversation skills classes in community settings, with crèche facilities
• Group health theory and fitness courses with embedded ESOL
• Trips and social activities in the surrounding areas e.g. heritage tours of Kingston
• Information about local statutory and voluntary activities and provision is embedded into all services
LEAH’s home and community-based ESOL tutoring is provided by volunteers. We currently work with over 100 volunteers, and they have all been through LEAH's volunteer tutor training course. Also provided are ongoing volunteer development courses on topics such as supporting students with mental health needs, child poverty awareness, healthy eating, walk leader training and sign language.
LEAH’s services offer clients a means to overcome isolation and improve their chances in life through increased confidence and self-belief, and greater knowledge of local services. The core of our work, our 1:1 tuition, offers people who would not ordinarily be able to access language services a bespoke learning plan, addressing their current practical challenges, whilst developing their language through targeted support.
As the charity matures we find that our social and community-based activitiesare in greater demand as our clients practice their newly acquired language skills and become more engaged in the community. Our community classes offer clients transition pathways, enabling them to meet other students and learn outside of the home, when they are ready to do so. Clients are supported to find out more about local services, be more aware of health provision, be more involved in their children's education and make more informed choices for their families.
LEAH’s work changes people's lives. It empowers clients to become active members of their local communities and, in doing so, contributes to building stronger communities.
LEAH’s Board of Trustees is responsible for the charity’s strategy and financial security. While running of the organisation is delegated to Kate Brown, the Director, Trustees are ultimately legally accountable. The full Board of Trustees meets four or five times a year. The Board has a Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer, chosen by the Board. The Finance and Fundraising committee also meets quarterly, and includes the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and up to two other trustees. Trustees are co-opted by the Board at Board meetings. We are currently seeking at least two new trustees.
LEAH trustee role description
The statutory duties of a trustee
• To ensure that LEAH complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To ensure that LEAH pursues its objects as defined in its governing document and uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to LEAH, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against targets.
• To safeguard the good name and values of LEAH.
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of LEAH.
• To ensure the financial stability of LEAH, and protect and manage the assets of the charity.
Other duties
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
•Contributing to relevant trustee/staff working groups, currently drawn together around fundraising, board development and communications
•Providing guidance on new initiatives
•Other issues in which the trustee has special expertise
The role is unpaid. Reasonable travel expenses will be met.
Person specification
Essential
•Commitment to LEAH and its mission.
•Ability to put time and effort into the trustee role.
•Good, independent judgement: impartial and fair.
•Willingness to speak his or her mind.
•Tact and diplomacy.
•Respect for others.
•Willingness to learn new skills.
•Strategic vision.
•Creative thinking.
•Effective team member.
•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Desirable
We would welcome an application from you if you meet our essential criteria, but are looking to appoint at least one trustee with one of the following:
- Recent experience of working at a senior level in a third sector, statutory or corporate environment
- Knowledge of Kingston and/or Richmond business sector, or experience of effective corporate/third sector partnerships
- Experience of community fundraising and individual giving
- Knowledge of law and HR relevant to a small charity.
LEAH is keen to promote equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all genders, ages, sexual orientation, needs and background.
Who can’t apply?
Please do not apply if you:
- Are under 16
- Have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception
- Are currently declared bankrupt, subject to bankruptcy restrictions or an interim order
- Have an individual voluntary arrangement to pay off debts with creditors
- Are disqualified from being a company director
- Have previously been removed as a trustee by either the Charity Commission or the high court due to misconduct or mismanagement.
What can you gain through becoming a LEAH trustee?
LEAH trustees gain skills, experience, and opportunities in their role, including:
•Increased confidence
•New skills through practice and training opportunities
•Meeting new people and networking
•Enhancing your CV
•Learning more about the local community
•Making a really valuable contribution to the work of the organisation and the ethnic minority adults it helps.
How to apply
Please send a CV with a short statement about why you want the role and how you meet the person specification. The application should be sent by email to . If you require this pack in a different format (such as large print), please get in touch to discuss your needs.
The closing date for applications is midday on 18th May 2015. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at LEAH’s office on Wednesday 27th Mayby members of LEAH’s Board of Trustees.
Other key dates include: LEAH Board meeting, Tues 2nd June, 7pm; LEAH AGM, Thurs 25th June, 12-2pm; LEAH Board away day, Thurs 3rd September.
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