Chair of Trustees for Home-Start IOW

We’re looking for a kind, approachable leader to join our Board of Trustees as Chair – someone who believes in the power of community, wants to give back, and is ready to play a key part in supporting local families.

Home-Start Isle of Wight is a warm, friendly charity that supports families through challenging times. Our Scheme is expertly led by a highly experienced Scheme Manager – your role as Chair would be to champion, support and help guide the Board as we continue to make a real difference. You’ll be working closely with a committed group of Trustees and a fantastic Board Secretary who helps keep everything running smoothly.

We’re a collaborative team who believe in kindness, communication and shared responsibility. This is an ideal role for someone who has some time to spare, a lot of compassion, and a genuine interest in helping parents and children thrive.

Skills

As Chair, you’ll play an important part in helping us continue our work with confidence, compassion, and clarity. You’ll provide thoughtful leadership and support to the Board and Scheme Manager, helping us make sound strategic decisions and ensuring we remain true to our mission.

You’ll never be expected to do this alone. Our Scheme Manager is experienced and capable, running the charity’s day-to-day operations with skill and care. Our Office Manager and Board Secretary offer excellent administrative support, and our existing trustees are engaged, friendly, and work together with real team spirit.

What You’ll Do:

● Lead and chair Board meetings

● Support our experienced Scheme Manager

● Help shape strategy and good decision-making

● Represent Home-Start IOW in the community

● Encourage and support fellow Trustees

● Champion our values of kindness, fairness, and inclusion

What We’re Looking For:

You don’t need to have been a Chair before – what matters most is your approach. We’re looking for someone who is available on average 2 days per month and is:

● Warm, approachable, and emotionally intelligent

● A good listener and communicator

● Confident in providing supportive leadership

● Fair, impartial, and respectful of confidentiality

Experience in any of these would be helpful:

● Leading teams or committees

● Governance or strategy

● Voluntary/community work

● Supporting families, children, or local communities

The Support You’ll Receive:

● A full induction and handover from our outgoing Chair

● Guidance from a capable Secretary and experienced Trustees

● Highly skilled staff leading day-to-day operations

● A collaborative, friendly team who share responsibility