Join the Team: Trustee at Food Behind Bars

We have an exciting opportunity for a new Trustee to join our board at Food Behind Bars. This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in the management and direction of the charity. We are specifically looking for someone with experience of working at board/management level within the charity sector. Any understanding or experience of the criminal justice system is a bonus, but not essential.

To apply, please send a short email with your experience and interest in the role, along with your CV, to judy@foodbehindbars.co.uk

Deadline for applications: Midnight on Saturday 31st May.

About us

Food Behind Bars is the leading charity dedicated to transforming the food served in British prisons. We believe that food has the power to change lives. We work with prisons on the subject of food, to improve the lives of those eating it and support the people making it. We deliver unique initiatives that are specifically designed to enhance the nutrition and eating habits of prisoners, to make an impact during their sentence and leave a legacy after release. We work closely with prison kitchens on menu development and deliver practical and engaging food-based education to the prison community.

We are looking to recruit a passionate and experienced individual to join the Board of Food Behind Bars’ as a Trustee. 

What will you be doing?

We are looking to recruit a passionate and experienced individual to join the Board of Food Behind Bars as a Trustee. 

Food Behind Bars is the UK's leading charity dedicated to transforming the food served in British prisons. As a Trustee, you will be expected to help lead Food Behind Bars’ strategy, mission and services, ensuring our work is achieving maximum impact for our beneficiaries. You will help ensure that the charity operates within its charitable objectives and provides clear strategic direction. You will be involved in helping us develop and plan our expansion over the next few years, working closely with our Chief Executive on current and future projects.

We are looking for someone who has a genuine interest in our core belief: that food has the power to change lives. If you have a desire to make a real difference to a small charity and are willing to share your skills, experience and knowledge, then we'd love to hear from you. 

Our current board is made up of five trustees and we have identified a skills gap which we'd like to fill. We are seeking an individual with board/management level experience in the charity sector, preferably - but not essentially - within the criminal justice sector.  We'd like this individual to bring their experience and understanding of this challenging sector to Food Behind Bars, in order to help design our services and make them as impactful as possible and provide oversight, governance and leadership to the charity to fulfil its charitable purposes.

Time

You will be expected to attend quarterly board meetings of 2 hours and these currently take place on Zoom. Additional ad hoc support is required where necessary. This is a voluntary position with no remuneration.

Location

Food Behind Bars is based in London and meetings will take place either in person or remotely.

What are we looking for?

We are specifically seeking someone with previous experience of the prison/charity sector who is looking to utilise their experience to generate positive change. Ideally, someone who is passionate about food and is full of ideas of how we can build upon our charitable objectives of changing prison food and delivering engaging food education within a prison environment. Good communication skills, a positive attitude and a team-player are a must!

We are ideally looking for someone who has some or all of the following skills/experience:

• Has experience dealing with public services and the challenges and issues involved.

• Has experience fundraising and generating income in the charity sector. 

• Is an excellent strategic thinker: can you help make our vision a reality and make a real difference to the lives of some of society's most vulnerable individuals?

• Has knowledge and/or experience of the prison service/criminal justice sector. 

• Has knowledge and/or an interest in the subject of food from a societal perspective. 

• May have had previous experience in the governance of a charity. 

Ultimately, we want someone who cares about the same issues as we do and genuinely believes in the purpose behind what we're doing. 

What difference will you make?

We are a small charity with a big ambition - the Trustee will have a real opportunity to shape our future, helping us deliver pioneering work that influences future policy. You’ll be able to utilise your experience and knowledge to support the daily operations of Food Behind Bars, helping us achieve success and make a difference to people’s lives. 

You'll have the opportunity to make a real and tangible impact on a charity at its early stages of operation. Our work has been designed to influence public policy and to have a meaningful effect on some of society's most vulnerable individuals. This opportunity is a key part of our overall vision and strategy as an organisation.