First Step Trust is seeking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees to take over once the current Chair retires in January. Join us in developing exciting new technology driven learning to enable people seriously disadvantaged in the job market to get on the road to work and employment.
Established for almost 30 years, we are a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, governed by a Board of Trustees.
We are deeply committed to enabling people, unemployed for many years because of disadvantage, to be successful in gaining training and employment, achieving a more fulfilled quality of life.
We run a motor vehicle garage, offering MOT’s and repairs and a busy main office staffed by people with significant disadvantages because of mental health problems, drug and alcohol recovery problems, offending behaviours or other disabilities. We also run work projects in Secure mental health units in Salford and Liverpool. Through these, we provide work experience and training in practical trade skills, finance, administration, assisting people to move onto paid employment when ready.
Our new focus is using innovative technology such as Virtual Reality learning materials so that people who have no confidence in their ability to learn and lack traditional learning skills, including literacy, can develop practical trade skills and qualifications in areas such as motor vehicle maintenance and repairs, catering and construction industry. This is delivered both in the wider community and in prisons and secure mental health units.
FST Structure The Board consists of 6 trustees, 2 of whom have lived experience of mental health issues or other disadvantage, with 3 senior managers in attendance. Across the organisation, there are 14 salaried staff and a number of volunteer workforce.
Remuneration The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed
Location Woolwich, London SE18
Time Commitment 4 Board meetings a year, at least one of which is face to face and the others by Zoom. One of these is the Annual General Meeting where the audited accounts are agreed. Additionally, the Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Chief Executive and also represent FST at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 12th December at Woolwich