Bede House, Bermondsey, London SE16

Trustee Vacancies

Bede House is a thriving, multi-purpose charity and company limited by guarantee, serving local people in the neighbourhoods of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe and across the borough of Southwark since its foundation in 1938.Bede is highly respected for our services for adults with learning disabilities, our practical and emotional help for victims of hate crime and domestic violence, our youth work and our work in the community. These services directly benefit over 1,000 people every year, with a further 1,000 (eg family members) estimated to benefit indirectly.

We have an annual turnover of over £1million, employ around 40 staff (mostly part-time) and benefit from the services of many volunteers. Funding is always a major challenge, but Bede is adapting well to substantial cut backs in statutory funding. We have increased our income from charitable sources by using our networks to develop a wide community of supporters. We are currently in discussions with Southwark Council over plans for a new Centre for Bede which could open in 2018, so this is a very exciting time for the organisation.

Bede is governed by a voluntary Council of 12 trustees (which is also the board of directors) and day to day management of the organisation is carried outby our experienced senior management team, led by the Director, Nick Dunne.

Two of our long standing Trustees retired at our AGM and so we are keen to hear from individuals who are interested in joining Bede Council. We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you have the experience and knowledge to work at the governance level of a modern, professional charity, you are inspired by the work that Bede does, live or work in Southwark and you are able to promote our work to potential supporters and funders. You will need to be available to commit to Bede Council’s sevenThursday evening meetings a year (including the AGM) and attend occasional events throughout the year. There is the opportunity to become the “link trustee” for one of Bede’s projects and gain an in-depth insight into that particular area of work.

More information is on our website submit your CV together with a letter explaining your interest in Bede and how your skills and experience match the qualities the role requires. Your application can be emailed to the Director, Nick Dunne at Deadline is 5pm Friday September 4, 2015.

Candidates will be invited to visit Bede and meet the Director before interviews with a panel of trustees on Monday September 21.

Bede House Association is a registered charity number 303199