What could you bring as a trustee of a charity that is passionate about supporting people who are experiencing homelessness, extreme poverty, and other disadvantages to make positive changes in their lives?
NOAH Enterprise provides care and advice services, employment and wellbeing workshops, and opportunities for employment. They are truly driven by their values of Care, Compassion, and Commitment, which have their roots in Saint Vincent de Paul, whose life was the inspiration behind the founding of NOAH.
During their 36-year history, they have earned a reputation across Bedfordshire for effectively supporting those who are street homeless, especially EU migrants, and for helping people with very little confidence to get into work.
Currently, they operate from six locations in Luton and several satellites throughout Bedfordshire, and they have planning permission to replace their Luton welfare centre with a modern purpose-built facility.
Board member opportunities
There is much more for NOAH to do, and their 2021-26 strategy seeks to build on their strengths and respond to the need. They have a broad remit, an ambitious plan, and a talented and committed trustee and staff team. They are now seeking a further two or three trustees to bring new skills and experience to their Board.
Health and Social Care
The people NOAH work with have a range of complex needs and it’s vital that the support they provide is trauma-informed. They would therefore welcome someone with a senior health & social care and safeguarding background to help them ensure their service provision meets these needs in the most effective and healing way possible.
Retail
They are keen to grow the net income they receive from their retail activities. They currently have three shops and plan to increase this to at least seven by 2026, so would welcome someone with a commercial mindset and strong charity retail background to support them as they deliver this growth as part of their income generation strategy.
Lived experience
They are acutely aware of the privilege that the majority of people enjoy, having not experienced the issues the people they work with have or continue to face, such as racism, poverty, and trauma. They also work within particularly diverse areas, and it is important that their board is representative of the communities that they serve. They are therefore looking for applications from local people from a black or Asian heritage, and/or people who have lived experience of homelessness or poverty, living with trauma, leaving an institutional setting, migrating to a new country, substance use, or any other issue that would enable their deeper understanding of the challenges the people they work with face, and how they can best meet their needs.
Application Process
Please download and read the Candidate Information Pack before making an application.
If you would like a call to discuss the role in more detail, please email Lucinda Shaw, [email protected] to arrange a convenient time. Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application.
The closing date for applications is Monday 24th July and longlisting interviews, held by Eastside People, will take place the following week. Interviews with NOAH for shortlisted candidates will be towards the end of July, dates and process to be confirmed.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
These are exciting opportunities to join the Board of a successful and ambitious organisation making a significant impact on the lives of some of the poorest people in society. If you would like to play a leading part in shaping the future of NOAH in these key roles, we would be delighted to hear from you.
