About the organisation
Toynbee Hall works alongside people facing poverty and injustice to build a fairer future.
Based in the East End of London since 1884, we provide vital support to individuals through our advice and support services and work in partnership with local communities to tackle unfairness through research and advocacy. We are a place where people come together to work out solutions to the challenges facing us all and to shape systemic change.
As a charity we are governed by our Trustees – a group of volunteers who have responsibility for setting our strategy and ensuring we meet our charitable objectives.
However, with the pandemic’s aftermath and the ongoing cost of living crisis, we face unprecedented challenges. The most vulnerable communities are hit hardest, and our role has never been more critical. We are constantly reviewing our own allocation of finite resources to ensure we are clearly and effectively focusing on where we can make the greatest impact.
We are looking for Trustees with finance experience to join our Board; helping to shape our future plans and strategy.
Over the past five years, Toynbee Hall has undergone a significant renewal, revitalising our historical buildings, creating spaces that not only provide advice and community connections but also generate revenue to support the delivery of our services and research. Like many organisations we face challenges and some difficult decisions over this period but we are energised about the changes we want to see and how we can contribute. We are also keen to collaborate and grow our projects and thus have wider impact.
We have an engaged, diverse and skilled Trustee Board who are working alongside our senior team as we implement our new strategic plan and organisational priorities.
You can find out more about our existing Trustees on our website.
About the role
It is important to us that we attract Trustees from a range of backgrounds. You don’t need to have previous experience of being a trustee, so please don’t let that put you off!
We will offer an induction program and support to take up the position.
We aim to have a trustee board that reflects the local community, so we especially encourage to apply if you live in Tower Hamlets or who have a personal connection with Toynbee Hall, Tower Hamlets or the East End. Our Board is currently diverse in age, gender and ethnicity and we are committed to maintaining that diversity. We particularly want to hear from potential Trustees who are Black or Asian.
The essential responsibilities of a Toynbee Hall Trustee is to ensure that the organisation pursues its charitable objectives and ensure we remain a going concern.
Trustees must be people with independent judgement, with an ability to think strategically and creatively about the challenges and opportunities ahead.
For this role you will have a financial qualification with at least 3 years’ experience in finance / accountancy. Ideally experience in financial decision making. An understanding of charity funding would be an advantage.
Above all you need to have real enthusiasm for our work and for supporting and guiding our Chief Executive and Toynbee Hall’s passionate and committed staff and volunteers so that they remain focused on tackling inequality and poverty in East London and beyond. And in return we are commitment to helping you gain experience in the non-profit sector strategy and decision making.
Our ideal candidate
We ask our Board members to attend four evening Board meetings a year, an annual away-day and to be a member of one Committee. Our Committees meet up to three times a year. At the moment our committee meetings tend to be over video, where Board meetings aim to be in person. In person meetings take place at Toynbee Hall’s home in Commercial Street, E1. Board and Committee meetings are held in the evening.
Each Board member serves for a three-year term. This will then be reviewed by the Board with a maximum nine-year term.
Our Board members are also active ambassadors for Toynbee Hall. This means attending and supporting events and taking opportunities to promote and develop the work of Toynbee Hall through networks and contacts.
What’s in it for you
Becoming a Trustee at Toynbee Hall offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference—not just within the organisation, but across the diverse communities we support. As a Trustee, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of a charity that directly supports over 10,000 people annually through free legal advice, financial health programmes, youth leadership initiatives, and more. Your guidance and oversight will strengthen our work, enabling us to tackle poverty and injustice more effectively. Volunteers often tell us the most rewarding part of their role is knowing their contribution creates lasting change—and at Toynbee Hall, that impact is both measurable and transformative.
Apply for the role
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