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: 5-6 hours per month (includes monthly in-person 1.5-hour board meetings)

Reporting To: Board of Trustees

The Treasurer manages day-to-day bookkeeping and financial records while serving as a full member of the trustee team. This role balances hands-on financial management with strategic governance to safeguard Sustenance's fiscal viability.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Bookkeeping (~3–4 hours/month)

●      Maintain accurate, up-to-date bookkeeping records and log day-to-day income, donations, and operational expenses.

●      Prepare brief monthly income/expenditure reports to share ahead of board meetings.

●      Oversee bank account administration, payment processing, and basic grant tracking.

●      Support fundraising applications and ensure annual accounts are filed accurately with the Charity Commission (SORP/CC15).

Strategic Governance & Board Participation (~1.5–2 hours/month)

●      Attend monthly Board of Trustee meetings to guide Sustenance’s strategy and community outreach.

●      Advise fellow trustees on financial viability, budget allocation for food rescue initiatives, and financial risk management.

●      Act as an active trustee, ensuring sound governance and regulatory compliance.

We are looking for someone with…

●      Financial Capability: Practical experience with bookkeeping, managing budgets, or accounting.

●      Software Familiarity: Experience using Xero or a similar online accounting platform (QuickBooks, FreeAgent) is desirable.

●      Community Focus: Passionate about tackling local food insecurity and reducing food waste in St Leonards.

●      Clear Communication: Able to present basic financial figures clearly to non-financial board members.

●      Integrity & Governance: Committed to sound governance, transparency, and ethical stewardship of charity funds.

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.