Trustee

About us: Celebrating 30 years of operation this year, Furnistore was founded in 1995 to meet a specific need in our community. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to find new homes for good quality pre-owned furniture, appliances, bric-a-brac and soft furnishings.

In our iconic green Furnistore van, we collect a wide range of different items donated by members of the public from all over East Surrey. Most of these items are of high quality and in good condition but, if needed, they are shown some love and attention by our volunteers before they are made freely available to those in need or offered on sale at an affordable price. We do not believe that, just because an individual is facing financial difficulties, they should receive poor quality or sub-standard furniture or household items.

As a registered charity our three key aims are:

• to support our community by providing affordable furniture and household goods to those in need,
• to provide support and work experience for volunteers, of all capabilities, many of whom are able to obtain paid work after volunteering with us, and
• to divert furniture and household goods to re-use, preventing them from going to landfill.

We are passionate about the environment, helping those in need, and supporting our volunteers, and have a no-waste and economically self-sustaining business model to enable us to do this.

Role description: As a charity trustee at Furnistore, you will play a critical role as part of our board. Key responsibilities include:

1. Governance: Actively participate in the governance and strategic direction of the charity, ensuring its mission and objectives are upheld.
2. Financial oversight: Provide oversight and scrutiny of the charity's financial management, ensuring resources are used efficiently and in alignment with our mission.
3. Charity Development: Provide suggestions and ideas about how the charity can develop further in the future and increase public and user awareness of its services
4. Premises: Ensure the charity’s premises are safe and fit for purpose and work with the board to explore opportunities for moving to more suitable premises in the future

We are currently specifically looking for new Trustees for the following roles:

- Company Secretary – to maintain records, minute meetings, and make sure annual reports are completed as directed by the Board

- Marketing Trustee – Someone who has experience or is keen on marketing the work of the charity to new users, donors, the public, and partners

Application deadline: 30 June 2026

What skills do I need?

To be considered for this role, you should have

• A strong commitment/passion for the charity's mission and values.
• A willingness to dedicate time and effort to fulfil trustee responsibilities.
• Relevant skills, experience, or expertise that can benefit the charity (e.g., finance, legal, marketing, IT, premises, charity sector experience, etc.)
• Ability to work as a team player on the Trustee Board.