Trustee (CSVA)

Elmbridge CAN is a community-based, volunteer-powered charity, located in Elmbridge, Surrey, UK. We help forcibly displaced people - such as refugees and asylum seekers - in and around Elmbridge to rebuild their lives to become independent and contributing members of our community. We offer integration services in partnership with local organisations and through our network of committed volunteers. 

We were established in 2016 in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and have grown significantly to meet the needs of further arrivals, including many from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Today, we are supporting approximately 300 families from around 30 different countries, through a wide range of services, including weekly drop-in hubs and English language classes, one-to-one volunteer support, and intensive, tailored assistance for clients with more complex needs, delivered by our trained specialist staff.

2026 is an exciting year for our charity. On the one hand we are thrilled to have been chosen by the current Mayor of Elmbridge, Judy Sarsby, to be the charity she will support for her term of office from May 2026 to end March 2027 (alongside the Mayor of Elmbridge Trust). This coincides with our 10-year anniversary and as a result we are running a number of special fundraising and awareness-raising events throughout 2026 and early 2027. Meanwhile, our local authority, Elmbridge Borough Council - also one of our principal funders - will be dissolved in April 2027 as part of Local Government Reorganisation and incorporated into the new East Surrey unitary authority. Against this backdrop, and with demand for our services continuing to grow, it is essential that we position ourselves to meet future needs and secure the funding required to support our work. 

We have a small paid staff team (equivalent to roughly 5 FTE) and over 80  active volunteers. We currently have 5 volunteer trustees and are looking to increase the size and scope of our trustee board, to reflect and consolidate the growth and sustainability of the charity. 

We are looking for trustees who share our passion for welcoming those fleeing terror and violence in their home countries. We have a particular need for trustees with a background or experience in any of the following areas:

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What skills do I need?

We are especially looking for someone who: 

• charity trusteeship / other third sector management 

• safeguarding

• Finance - particularly in the charity sector  

• ‘lived experience’ of being forcibly displaced or of the UK asylum system. 

Together with our existing trustee board you will:

• Provide overall governance, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and Charity Commission requirements;
• Support the financial oversight and sustainability of the charity;
• Provide support and guidance to our paid staff and volunteers;
• Commit to attending trustee meetings in the evening about 5 times per year, generally in person;
• Have the chance to contribute more broadly to the work of the charity, based on your interests, expertise and availability.

NOTE: A good level of English language and the right to work in the UK are both essential for this role.