Trustees

TRUSTEE MARY WARD SETTLEMENT

• Stratford London hybrid
• Unpaid role – Voluntary
• Education, legal and community services
• Actively interviewing

Job Description

Join the Boards of the Mary Ward Settlement, the Mary Ward Legal Centre and the Blackfriars Settlement at a pivotal time for the charities, as the Settlement has relocated to purpose-built accommodation in Stratford. The Mary Ward Settlement has a proud heritage as part of the Settlement Movement which developed in the late 19th Century as a response to urban poverty and social problems arising from industrialisation. Mary Ward founded the Settlement in 1892 to “provide public education and social service for the benefit of the community” at a time and in an area where great wealth and great deprivation stood side by side, much as they do today – the Settlement’s work continues to be important.

Currently the Settlement delivers its services via:

• The Mary Ward Centre – an Institute of Adult Learning and an adult and community learning provider offering a wide range of learning opportunities for local and pan London residents funded primarily by the Greater London Authority. Most accredited provision is at Level 2 or below in Essential Skills (ESOL, English and Maths and Digital Skills.  There is also a significant and thriving non-accredited offer of courses ranging from 12 weeks to one day workshops, the majority of which are Art and Design.
• The Mary Ward Legal Centre – providing free specialist legal advice on housing, welfare benefits and debt. We also provide free legal advice as part of our pro bono clinic in the areas of employment, housing, small claims, consumer, and family.
• The Blackfriars Settlement – providing services to the community including health and well-being for older people, and mental health and wellbeing services to support people achieve their goals and stay well.

The Settlement is looking for people who are passionate about social justice, lifelong learning and education, and the importance of strong local communities to foster wellbeing for all. This is an opportunity to:

• Apply your skills and experience in a leadership role.
• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
• Support a vital organisation during a time of transformation
• Contribute to the local community.

As part of the Board, you will:

• Set strategic direction
• Hold leadership to account
• Ensure governance excellence
• Act as a charity trustee and company director ensuring financial sustainability and legal compliance.

We welcome people who have knowledge and experience of working in the following areas including but not limited to:

• Education, particularly with Adult and Community Learning, FE or Local Authority experience
• Finance, Audit and Risk
• IT and cyber security
• Legal, Governance and Compliance
• Marketing, HR, Communications and PR
• Fund Raising
• Health and wellbeing
• Charity
• Community work, including volunteering in your local community

Most meetings are remote, but two or three meetings a year will take place in Stratford, East London.

For further details or a conversation about the role please email carol.meade@marywardcentre.ac.uk