About the organisation
Bramber Bakehouse is a social enterprise and charity that exists to transform the lives of women who have experienced significant adversity, including abuse, exploitation and displacement.
At its heart lies a simple but profound vision: to provide women with the confidence, knowledge and skills to build a brighter future. This vision shapes every aspect of Bramber Bakehouse’s operations, from the delivery of therapeutic baking programmes to its wider advocacy for systemic change.
The organisation’s mission is to create safe, supportive environments where women can learn practical skills, develop confidence and establish connections providing long-term independence and wellbeing. Our core services include:
- Baking lessons - Therapy without therapy. Our baking lessons enable women to learn a new skill, build community and grow in confidence.
- Wellbeing sessions - Our wellbeing sessions are designed to equip women with the tools they need to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
- Life Skills - We encourage women to create a plan for their future, helping them to identify strengths and goals whilst gaining skills for future success.
- Ongoing support - Armed with a future-proof roadmap, women have the opportunity to receive 121 befriending, 121 mentoring and group mentoring sessions preparing them for the future.
100% of women who've experienced our services would recommend us to another female in need.
Alongside this, our social enterprise bakery produces baked good sold locally to generate income for the charity and, in the long-term, provide voluntary and paid employment opportunities for female graduates.
Guided by its core values, Bramber Bakehouse works with a deep sense of purpose:
- Empowerment – Programmes are designed to help women build self-belief and agency, enabling them to make choices and lead safe, purposeful and independent lives.
- Community – The organisation recognises the power of belonging. Through group baking sessions and peer support, women form connections that reduce isolation and encourage mutual trust.
- Equity – Bramber Bakehouse is committed to fairness and justice, ensuring women who have faced marginalisation gain access to the opportunities, skills and networks they need to thrive.
About the role
The Board of Trustees meet six times a year: four early-evening meetings and two weekend away-days, based in Brighton. We'd ask that you can commit to the following:
- Attend four quarterly board meetings in Brighton (2.5 hrs, evenings)
- Attend one monthly online finance meeting (1 hr, flexible timings)
- Attend two days per year in Brighton (Saturdays)
The overall role of a Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation’s affairs, ensure its financial viability and ensure proper financial records and procedures are maintained. This includes being accountable to the Chair and Trustees and being open to investigation, discussion and resolution.
Main Tasks
- Reflect the organisation’s vision and values, strategy and policies
- Work closely with the board to formulate and review the strategic aims of the organisation
- Ensure the policy and practices of the organisation are in keeping with its aims
- Ensure that the organisation functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charity and company limited by guarantee
- Use resources effectively and efficiently
- Ensure best practice is developed and applied
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of the organisation
- Take part in training sessions
- Contribute specific skills, interests and contacts
- Fulfil other duties as required from time to time by the Board of Trustees
The Role of the Treasurer
In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee (see above), duties of a treasurer include the following:
- Work alongside the CEO to oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts and financial statements
- Chair the Finance Committee meetings (meetings take place once a month for 1.5 hours)
- Be assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs
- Ensure the charity has an appropriate reserves policy
- Working alongside the CEO, Finance Officer and Chair, present financial reports to the Board of Trustees
- Ensure appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
- Liaise with any paid staff and volunteers relating to financial matters
- Advise on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans
- Ensure the charity has an appropriate investment policy, if and when applicable
- Ensure there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objectives of the charity
- Ensure the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, for example the Charity Commission and/or Companies House Work alongside the Accountant and Independent Examiner to ensure the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required, with any recommendations implemented
- Keep the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
- Contribute to the fundraising strategy of the organisation
- Make a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting (AGM), drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way
Our ideal candidate
- Commitment to the organisation and the needs of female survivors
- Fully qualified chartered accountant / financial qualifications and experience
- Some experience of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes
- Ability to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences
- Willingness to speak one’s mind and listen to others
- Strategic vision Sound, independent judgement
- Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
- Ability to work effectively within a team
- Good communication and people management skills
- Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship
- Experience in the social enterprise space is an advantage.
Our commitment to equity, diversity & inclusion
We aim to achieve equity, diversity and inclusion at every level of our workforce. We believe organisational diversity matters and we will be more accountable and better able to assess the needs of the women we support if we have a good range of perspectives within our team.
What’s in it for you
By joining us at Bramber Bakehouse, you'd be joining a truly committed and vibrant Board of Trustees as we celebrate 10 years of high-quality, trauma-informed care for female survivors across Sussex.
Here’s how your time and skills will make a measurable difference:
- Helping women rebuild hope, confidence and self-worth - Many of the women in our programme have experienced abuse, exploitation or displacement. Volunteering means supporting them in a safe, trauma-informed environment where they can heal, feel valued and see possibilities again.
- New skills & personal growth - You may gain mentoring experience, develop listening, leadership or communication skills or pick up specialist knowledge (trauma-informed practice, governance & leadership). These are valuable in both professional and personal life.
- Meaningful connections & networks - Volunteering gives you the chance to meet people from diverse backgrounds including women with challenging life stories, other volunteers, staff and partner organisations.
- Sense of purpose & satisfaction - Seeing someone’s confidence grow, witnessing them set and achieve goals, helping create safe space and healing, many volunteers say these are deeply rewarding moments.
As we enter the next decade, we're looking to drive our impact forward, supporting more women across Sussex receive the life-changing support they need to move ahead.
If you volunteer with us, you're helping to rebuild lives. We’d love you to join us in making that change.
Apply for the role
Please provide a short cover note setting out your motivations for volunteering for the organisation, any relevant skills/experience and why you think you might be a suitable candidate.
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