10 reasons to join the Catching Lives Board

As Catching Lives recruits for a Chair and additional Trustees, our CEO Tasmin shares 10 reasons to apply:

1. Our Board meetings are friendly and not too formal, with plenty of questions and discussion, plus snacks.

2. We’re organised! Supported by an excellent Board Secretary, trustees receive clear, concise papers and our meeting minutes record decisions and actions, all in plain English.

   
   

3. Our Treasurer provides an excellent, accessible narrative summary to accompany spreadsheets, so all trustees can play their role in scrutinising the charity’s finances.

   
   

4. The current Board has a diverse mix of age, gender, class, and employment sector (and we’re actively seeking to increase diversity through current and future recruitment). 

   
   

5. Every trustee counts: with a diverse range of skills and experience, input from each trustee is valued and encouraged.

   
   

6. You won’t get drawn into operational matters – we have a highly experienced, skilled staff team so the Board remains firmly strategic.

   
   

7. New Board members get a comprehensive induction and we’ll provide support with governance training and development, especially if you’re a first-time trustee/Chair.

   
   

8. We’re a community charity based in one building that opens 7 days a week, so you get to meet staff, volunteers and the people we support and see the charity in action.

   
   

9. You’ll join during a period of consolidation as we focus on high quality core day services and then you’ll be shaping our new strategy in 2026.

   
   

10. Despite all the challenges faced by homelessness charities, we make a positive difference for lots of people and you’ll be part of making this difference.

How to apply

Application is with a CV or a link to your LinkedIn profile, along with a supporting statement explaining why you're interested in being a trustee at Catching Lives, the skills and experience you'll bring to the Board and what you would hope to get out of the role. If you're applying specifically for the Chair role, please mention this in your supporting statement and briefly describe your prior governance experience.

Please download the Trustee Recruitment Pack (below) which includes information about our charity and Board, along with Trustee and Chair role descriptions and person specification, and where to submit your application. Please get in touch if you need any further information before applying. We look forward to hearing from you!

The closing date is 4 September.