Our Trustees
Christine
Trustee
Christine has served as a trustee since her retirement in late 2008, assuming the role of Chair in 2011 with a primary focus on quality assurance. She transitioned from the position of Chair in January 2023. Prior to her involvement with the charity, she enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career in further and higher education.
She was a librarian of the University of Brighton, culminating in her tenure as the University’s registrar and secretary for the final decade of her professional life. Beyond her commitments to the charity, Christine remains actively engaged as the honorary secretary of a charity supporting the elderly, as well as collaborating with another organisation dedicated to promoting chamber music in Brighton and Hove.
Cheryl
Trustee
Cheryl has been dedicated to the charity sector since 2003, accumulating expertise in project management, personnel oversight, and budget administration. Her primary focus has been on enhancing bereavement care following the loss of a baby. Cheryl lives in Eastbourne with her family, which includes two children. Joining as a trustee in 2021, she brings her wealth of experience to further the charity’s mission.
Jayne
Chair
Jayne joined the Board in Autumn 2019 and assumed the role of Chair in January 2023. A non-practising solicitor, she holds a keen interest in human rights, particularly within the context of pregnancy and childbirth. Jayne, a mother to two daughters, also serves as the Director of Advocacy and a welfare and benefits advisor at Eastbourne Foodbank.
Mark
Trustee
Mark assumed the role of trustee in 2011 and currently serves as the head of the personnel sub-committee. Additionally, he holds the position of executive chairman at Brewers, a family-owned decorators merchant and retailer established in 1904, now operating nationwide. With extensive experience in business leadership, Mark brings invaluable knowledge and expertise to his governance role within the charity.
Anna
Trustee
Anna joined the Board of Trustees in January 2023. With a career spanning children’s social care since 2006, she is a registered social worker. Currently serving as the Director of Practice at a research-focused charity, she focuses on identifying effective strategies to enhance outcomes for children and families accessing early intervention and social care services.
As a mother of two young children herself, she deeply understands the challenges of parenting, especially amid the aftermath of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. This personal insight drives her passion for working with a charity dedicated to offering practical and meaningful support to families, a cause she holds close to her heart.
Becky
Trustee
Becky began her journey as a Trustee apprentice in December 2022, officially joining the board in January 2024. Since 2014, she has been employed by The Pensions Regulator, where she collaborates with pensions trustees on various issues, spanning governance and administration, systems and processes, pension scheme funding, and risk mitigation.
In addition to her primary role, Becky holds additional responsibilities at TPR, serving on the Employee Forum and the PCS Union. Residing in Brighton, she dedicates most of her spare time to her two miniature Dachshunds.
Gail
Trustee
Gail joined the Board in January 2024, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the charity sector, specialising in supporting women and families. Previously, she served as the CEO of RISE from 2005 to 2017 and held a trustee position at Women’s Aid.
Currently, Gail works part-time as a clinical supervisor for a domestic abuse charity, NHS, and Hospice Care. Additionally, she volunteers her time as an independent strategic advisor for Sussex Police and CAPA.
Becoming a Trustee
Trustees serve on the governing body (Board) of a charity and are responsible for directing the management and administration of the charity.
They have a wide range of duties and are responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction and maintaining sound management of funds. They are mindful that in promoting the objects of the scheme they hold it in trust for current and future families.
Trustees are responsible for the governance of the scheme, staff for managing the day-to-day running of the scheme. A Trustee maintains a critical distance to be able to set the direction and oversee the work objectively.
Being a Trustee is rewarding, giving many opportunities for personal development and the chance to give something back to your local community.
A Trustee Board may also be called a management committee, a Board of Directors or Trustees, but they all have the same responsibility, whatever the title.
Home-Start schemes are currently run as either an incorporated charitable company governed by the Home-Start Memorandum and Articles of Association with a Board of Trustees or as an unincorporated charity governed by the Home-Start Constitution and managed by the Trustees of the Management Committee.
Most Home-Start schemes are now incorporated. Both forms of governing documents require the scheme to work to the same Home-Start Standards and Methods of Practice and in accord with the Home-Start Agreement and quality standards.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the scheme’s vision, for leading the strategic direction, for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the performance and quality of the scheme and for ensuring that it operates within the Home-Start Agreement.
It is also responsible for the scheme’s property, financial management and security, good governance, the promotion of Home-Start and for employing staff. The Board’s job is to ensure that the resources in the charity are used effectively to further the objects of Home-Start and for the purpose for which they were given.
The Chair plays a key role in providing leadership for the Board in deciding strategy and setting policy.
As well as planning and chairing Trustee meetings, the Chair will also manage the induction of new Trustees. He/she takes the lead on the support and supervision of the Chief Executive and will often represent the charity at external events and meetings.
The Treasurer will maintain an overview of the scheme’s affairs, working with the Chief executive to ensure that it is financially viable and that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
The Treasurer has a duty to provide the Trustee Board with up to date and understandable financial information about the scheme’s position in relation to the agreed budget. This should happen regularly and at least at each meeting of the Board. Home-Start East Sussex outsource the payroll and bookkeeping. It is the Treasurer’s role to oversee this function.
The Secretary in an incorporated Home-Start scheme ensures the Board fulfils its legal and regulatory obligations.
The Secretary is responsible for keeping accurate minutes and a record of decisions taken at Board meetings.
Home-Start East Sussex needs Trustees with a variety of skills and experience and from a wide range of backgrounds.
No special qualifications are needed, but it is important to have good interpersonal skills, a practical approach to working with people, an understanding of the pressures facing parents and an interest in supporting your local community. You may bring a particular expertise to the Board, such as professional skills in finance, IT, business or personnel management or marketing and PR, but equally as important are listening and communication skills, commitment and common sense.
We would particularly welcome applicants from LGBT+, BAME, under 30’s who are currently under represented.
Most people over 18 can be Trustees.
There are some exceptions: where a person has been convicted of an offence involving deception, an undischarged bankrupt or someone who has previously been removed as a Trustee. All Trustees must have a criminal records check.
The Trustee role is one of governance, which is about ensuring that things are done, but not necessarily about doing them.
Governance is not the same as management, which is the day-to-day business of running the scheme – organising the delivery of the work programme, looking after the assets, supervising and directing the staff and volunteers. Much of this management role will be delegated by the Trustees to the staff, but the Trustees retain overall responsibility and must monitor the work.
Trustees are volunteers, and under Home-Start’s model memorandum cannot receive payment.
However, expenses such as travel and other costs incurred in the course of their duties are reimbursed.
Being a Trustee carries legal and financial responsibilities.
It’s an important role, which will require time and commitment. Home-Start Trustees spend up to five hours a month fulfilling their responsibilities.
Every new Trustee has an induction programme within the scheme.
They are also invited to a regional Home-Start induction day as well as to other national and regional training courses and events. A full range of support is available, including the Home-Start Policy & Practice Guide and regular legal updates.
- Determine, review and ensure the scheme’s mission and vision are in accordance with its charitable objectives.
- Engage in strategic planning for the scheme.
- Formulate, adopt and assist with the implementation of policy.
- Approve and monitor Home-Start’s services and activities.
- Ensure that there are adequate financial resources to meet the short, medium and long term needs of the scheme.
- Ensure that the scheme is adequately insured.
- Provide for effective fiscal oversight and ensure sound risk management.
- Select, supervise and support the senior member of staff and review their performance.
- Understand and respect the relationship between Trustees and staff.
- Act as a responsible employer.
- Act as an ambassador for Home-Start by positively and actively promoting Home-Start’s public image.
- Recruit, select and induct new Board members.
- Ensure that Home-Start business is carried out efficiently and effectively, in accordance with good practice.
- Act within the spirit of and in accordance with Home-Start’s equality of opportunity and diversity policies and procedures.
- Lead the scheme in accordance with the requirements of the Home-Start Agreement, Quality Assurance system and guidance in the Policy and Practice Guide.