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:

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

Time Commitment: 4–5 hours per month (includes monthly in-person 1.5-hour board meetings)

Reporting To: Board of Trustees / Chair of Trustees

We are seeking an organised Secretary to join our Board of Trustees to support the Chair and ensure the board functions smoothly. As a Trustee and Secretary, you will oversee administrative governance, manage official board paperwork and meeting logistics, ensure accurate minute-taking, and help maintain smooth communication across the board.

Key Responsibilities

Meeting Administration & Logistics (~2–3 hours/month)

●      Prepare meeting agendas in consultation with the Chair and lead staff, collecting agenda items from trustees in advance.

●      Circulate meeting agendas and supporting papers in good time before each board session.

●      Make all necessary logistical arrangements for meetings, including room booking, equipment, refreshments, and facilities for additional access needs.

●      Confirm that meetings are quorate before proceedings begin.

Minutes, Governance & Action Tracking (~1.5–2 hours/month)

●      Take accurate minutes during board meetings or arrange for minute-taking, ensuring draft minutes are promptly circulated to all trustees.

●      Ensure approved minutes are formally signed by the Chair.

●      Track agreed actions from previous meetings and check that trustees and staff have carried them out.

●      Prepare and circulate agendas and minutes for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and any special general meetings.

●      Fulfill company secretary responsibilities if required by governing documents and not delegated to staff.

●      Sit on recruitment, appraisal, or disciplinary panels as required.

We are looking for someone with…

●      Organisational Abilities: Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and administration.

●      Committee Procedures: Practical knowledge or experience of business and formal committee procedures.

●      Minute-Taking Experience: Proven experience in taking clear, accurate meeting minutes.

●      Community Dedication: Passionate about addressing local food waste and supporting food insecurity initiatives in St Leonards.

●      Ethical Leadership: Strong commitment to sound governance, transparency, 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.