Help shape the next chapter of FareShare Sussex & Surrey
FareShare Sussex & Surrey is looking for a new Trustee to join our Board, with experience in people and culture, HR and/or safeguarding.
We are a charity with a big role to play across Sussex and Surrey. Our mission is to maximise the social value of surplus food and channel it through strong local community partners, so people experiencing hardship can access good, nutritious food with dignity, organisations can thrive, waste and emissions are reduced, and our region becomes more resilient and connected.
We are looking for someone who wants to bring their experience, perspective and ideas to help us do this well.
What we do
Over 20% of all food produced for the UK ends up being wasted. This is an environmental and societal disaster as huge volumes of it is still good to eat. Working with hundreds of suppliers from all parts of the food industry, we rescue and redistribute surplus food getting to communities facing the greatest hardship.
Food is at the heart of our work, but our impact goes much further. We currently partner with 279 charities and community groups across Sussex and Surrey. These organisations support people for many different reasons and in many different circumstances.
We play an important role in the local support system. By providing good-quality surplus food reliably and affordably, we help hundreds of grassroots organisations stretch their budgets, keep essential services running and free up staff and volunteers to focus on the wider support people need, from advice and healthcare to social connection and crisis support, helping to build resilience into these vulnerable communities.
The role
We are looking for a dynamic and committed individual with a strong team ethos, to expand the range of trustee skills as well as to build on existing ones.
As a Trustee, you will share responsibility for the governance and direction of FareShare Sussex & Surrey. You will help shape our priorities and plans, provide constructive challenge and support to the Senior Leadership Team, and bring your experience and perspective to important decisions about the future of the organisation. You will also help ensure that we are well governed, financially sustainable, accountable for our performance and always working towards our purpose.
We are particularly looking for experience in:
- People and culture, including HR
- Safeguarding
You don’t need previous Trustee or Board experience. What matters is the experience and perspective you can bring, your willingness to ask questions and contribute constructively, and your interest in the work we do.
We absolutely want our Board to reflect the communities we work in and would particularly welcome applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
What is involved?
Trustees are expected to:
- Attend up to four Board meetings each year. Meetings take place on Tuesday evenings, alternating between online and in person.
- Contribute to one working group, usually involving 4-6 meetings a year of up to two hours.
- Develop a good understanding of FareShare Sussex & Surrey and the context in which we work.
- Provide advice and support to our Senior Leadership Team where appropriate.
- Attend occasional events and represent the charity where relevant.
This is a voluntary role.
Interested?
If you can bring experience in people, culture, HR or safeguarding, and want to use it to help shape an organisation that sits at the heart of a large local community network, we’d like to hear from you.
Please send a covering letter of no more than one side of A4, explaining why you are interested in the role and what you could bring, along with your CV, to Jonathan Wilkins at jon@faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk by 5pm on Monday 16 November 2026.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact Jonathan, our Chair of Trustees, at the same email address.
Our latest impact report and further information about FareShare Sussex & Surrey and our work can be found on our website, https://faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk/.
FareShare Sussex & Surrey is operated by City Gate Community Project, a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. The successful applicant will be appointed as a Board Director and Trustee.