Become a trustee
Haringey Migrant Support Centre is seeking new Trustees to join its Board. Our Trustees play a vital role in ensuring the future of this important service and shaping our work.
Who are we?
Haringey Migrant Support Centre provides free advice and casework for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers across London. Our support is holistic and tackles the many intertwined issues which surround insecure immigration status including housing and destitution. Established in 2012 as an entirely volunteer-led drop-in advice service, we now employ 7 staff members and two immigration advisors as well as a freelance fundraiser and bookkeeper. Our staff are supported by volunteers who are trained and supervised to respond to initial inquiries and triage visitors. We are based in Wood Green but we work with people from all across London. We are firmly embedded in our community and have developed extensive partnerships with other local organisations. We see ourselves as part of the wider movement for migrant justice and we work closely with other groups to contribute to systemic change.
What will you be doing?
As a member of the Board of Trustees, you will be responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation, and ensuring the organisation is compliant with its regulatory obligations. You will have a vital role to play in shaping the future of the services, supporting the staff team, and finding creative approaches to the many challenges that affect us as we continue to support those facing the hostile environment. You will provide support and feedback for senior staff, and oversight of HMSC’s work to ensure the delivery of its objectives.
The board meets every 2 months for a 2 hour meeting, usually in person at our offices in Wood Green as well as undertaking some work between meetings.
This is an open recruitment for trustees and we are looking for a range of skills. We currently have a Chair and Treasurer, but there is opportunity for these roles to be taken on by a new member so if you are interested in one of these roles, please let us know in your application.
HMSC’s General Manager, in collaboration with the staff team, manages the day-to-day business and operational side of the organisation.
What are we looking for?
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in any of the below. Please note you do NOT need to have all of the below. Any of these areas would be of benefit to our Board, but the most important factor is that you have the time and energy to commit to being an active part of our team.
- Personal or family experience of migration
- A strong local connection with Haringey or the surrounding boroughs
- Experience working in the UK charity/voluntary sector
- Experience in and/or knowledge of the migrant support sector
- Experience in organising or activism on migrant rights
- Experience in digital communications
- Experience in campaigns and/or media work
- Experience in Human Resources / knowledge of employment law
- Experience in strategic planning for a small organisation
- Experience in fundraising including grants & foundations and/or individual giving
- Experience working with a Board of Trustees (either as a Trustee or as a staff member) in the UK.
What will you get from it?
HMSC offers training for Trustees in your role and responsibilities as well as other key trainings including safeguarding and relevant updates on the sector. As part of the Trustee team, you will have the chance to play a vital role in a small front-line organisation which supports some of those hardest hit by UK immigration policy and the hostile environment. Many people tell us that they are frustrated or angry about recent developments in the treatment of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. Joining our Trustee Board is a great way to make a real difference.
How to apply
Please fill in this short application form and return it by email to trustees@haringeymsc.org. We are considering applications as they arrive, so please get in touch as soon as you’re ready. If you’d like to know more about the role please email the trustees on trustees@haringeymsc.org .