About us: Sustenance rescues surplus food in order to prepare nutritious meals and provide groceries for local residents experiencing food insecurity in St Leonards. As a grassroots charity, we combine environmental sustainability with community support, ensuring good food goes to those who need it most rather than going to waste.

Welcome: Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees at Sustenance. Our board provides strategic direction, legal stewardship, and operational oversight to ensure our charity delivers maximum public benefit to the St Leonards and Hastings communities. All trustees share equal responsibility under charity law to safeguard Sustenance's funds, protect its assets, and ensure all activities directly advance our charitable purpose.

Every member of our Board of Trustees is expected to uphold Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life:

●      Selflessness: Act solely in terms of the public interest.

●      Integrity: Avoid placing yourself under financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations.

●      Objectivity: Take decisions impartially, fairly, and on merit using the best evidence.

●      Accountability: Submit yourself to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to your office.

●      Openness: Act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner.

●      Honesty: Be truthful and clear in all governance matters.

●      Leadership: Exhibit these principles in your own behaviour and actively promote them.

Sustenance is looking for experience across these roles in the following areas:

●      Charity fundraising (Grant applications and major donors in particular)

●      Financial/Accounting

●      Human resources

●      Food production, and or distribution

Role Description:

Time Commitment: 6–8 hours / month (includes monthly in-person 1.5-hour board meetings)

Location: Hastings (Hybrid / Remote with local attendance where possible)

Primary Focus: Board leadership, strategy, staff appraisal

Reporting To: Board of Trustees

We are seeking a dedicated Chair of Trustees to provide strategic leadership to our Board of Trustees and ensure Sustenance remains focused on delivering its charitable purposes for public benefit. The Chair facilitates board meetings, directs policymaking, supports organisational leadership, and acts as an ambassador for our mission. This role is essential for maintaining sound governance, fostering trustee development, and guiding the charity's long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance (~3–4 hours/month)

●      Provide overall leadership to the charity and the board, ensuring all activities align with Sustenance’s charitable objects and strategic strategy.

●      Direct board policymaking and verify that decisions taken at board meetings are effectively implemented.

●      Address any conflict within the board or charity with tact, diplomacy, and fairness.

●      Lead board development, including trustee induction, training, annual appraisals, and succession planning.

Board Facilitation & Meetings (~2 hours/month)

●      Plan the annual cycle of board meetings and general meetings, setting agendas in consultation with key staff or trustees.

●      Chair and facilitate monthly Board of Trustee meetings, encouraging objective, impartial decision-making.

●      Ensure board meetings are quorate and that draft minutes are promptly circulated and signed upon approval.

Executive Support & External Representation (~1–2 hours/month)

●      Maintain an overview of Sustenance’s affairs by liaising regularly with the operational lead(s).

●      Lead the staff appraisal process and provide ongoing guidance and support.

●      Sit on appointment, recruitment, and disciplinary panels as required.

●      Act as a spokesperson and represent Sustenance at external meetings, functions, and community events.

We are looking for someone with…

●      Leadership & Vision: Proven leadership capability with experience in committee work or governance, alongside strategic vision for charity development.

●      Diplomacy & Objectivity: Excellent communication skills with the ability to bring impartiality, tact, fairness, and confidentiality to decision-making.

●      Governance Knowledge: Understanding of legal duties, responsibilities, and charity sector networks.

●      Community Focus: Passionate about tackling local food insecurity and environmental sustainability in St Leonards.

●      Integrity & Principles: Committed to sound governance and Nolan’s seven principles of public life.

How to Apply & Selection Process

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets who are passionate about combating food insecurity and food waste in St Leonards. Prior board experience is not essential—we provide a comprehensive induction and ongoing support for all new trustees.

1. Expression of Interest: Submit a brief CV and a short covering statement (1 page max) outlining your interest in Sustenance and the role you are applying for.

2. Informal Discussion: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal conversation with current board members to discuss the role and ask any questions.

3. Formal Nomination & Appointment: Selected candidates will undergo formal board appointment in accordance with Sustenance's governing document and Charity Commission guidance.

Equal Opportunities Statement: Sustenance is committed to creating an inclusive board environment. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups in charity governance, including local community residents, younger applicants, and individuals with lived experience of food insecurity.