We’re seeking new trustees

Everyone should have the right to free, confidential and impartial advice that helps them overcome their problems.  At Eastbourne Citizens Advice we aim to provide such advice to the people of Eastbourne, and we campaign on issues that affect people’s lives when their voice needs to be heard.

We are a small, local charity, based and rooted in Eastbourne; we are wholly focused on supporting our local community. We are looking for a number of trustees to join our board, bringing expertise in good decision making, fundraising, communications or volunteering along with enthusiasm, an ability to think strategically and a commitment to our values.

There has never been a more important time to have a free, confidential, high-quality advice service in Eastbourne.  Whilst we are available to any resident, we are also a lifeline for many of the most disadvantaged in our community.  Nearly two-thirds of the queries we dealt with last year related to benefits, debt and housing problems; almost half our clients have a long-term physical or mental health condition.  Our work is delivered by a small, highly committed team of paid staff, supported by over 50 dedicated volunteers, all within the context of ongoing funding constraints, a fast-changing world, and changing community needs. 

We have started to develop some ambitious plans for the future and we are seeking trustees to help us who possess the energy to develop and deliver on those plans, and by doing so to meet the changing needs of our clients.

It is core to our ethos that our service is available to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation.  With that in mind, we are keen to invite applications from as diverse a group of applicants as possible.

The role requires attendance at five 2-3 hour board meetings and one strategy day per year, likely involvement in a sub-group or sub-committee, reading the papers in advance of meetings, and (reflecting the fact that we are a small charity) possibly some element of additional responsibilities in between board meetings.  

In return for the gift of your time, you will hone your skills in strategic decision making and business planning with an organisation which plays a crucial and well-respected role in the civil society of this town.

If you’d like to be involved, or would like to find out more, please email Alan Bruzon manager@eastbournecab.cabnet.org.uk or call Alan on 01323 413480.

Further information

You can find out more about the role and responsibilities of a trustee, expectations of the role and the support we provide in our Trustees Recruitment Pack.

To nominate yourself for consideration as a trustee, we ask you to write a short letter to Alan Bruzon explaining why you wish to be considered as a trustee, and to attach a brief CV.  We will let you know within a week of that date if you have been shortlisted, and will invite shortlisted applicants in for a discussion with existing trustees.  

Useful documents

• our Trustees Recruitment Pack (which includes a fuller role description)
• our most recent Annual Report
• our most recent Annual Financial Statements
• our recent report entitled Homelessness in Eastbourne