Standing Tall is a not-for-profit organisation which matches people experiencing homelessness with a stable job and safe home. On one hand, it is a social business, trading by providing services to local businesses whilst reducing homelessness at the same time. On the other hand, since it is a charity, it is also able to secure grant and donation income to enable itself to help others.

When a person is ready, the charity matches them into a stable job which will provide them with wages in a local and responsible business. At the same time, it ensures that these people have a safe home through its 'Amici hosting' service. After six months, the individuals are ready to get their own place and Standing Tall knows that this model works because 80% of the people it has helped so far are still off the streets and in the same job one year later. 

In the last 12 months, it has helped 20 people in Birmingham to move away from the streets for good. Whilst Standing Tall has only been operating for two years, the organisation is on a steep growth trajectory as it is providing a real solution to a complex and very important social issue. Having proved the business model in Birmingham, it is all set to start delivering its services in London and Manchester from July 2022 onwards. 

The charity has ambitious plans to be operating in 10 locations in the UK in the next three years, helping 200 people to move away from the streets for good. With this growth plan on the horizon, it needs to further build its Trustee Board that has the capability and capacity to oversee this, and support and challenge the executive team.

Please click here to view a short clip on what the Founder has to say about the charity and its work.

As part of Standing Tall's exciting growth plan over the next year, it is now looking to expand its Board of Trustees. The new Trustees will use their specific skillset and relevant experience to help the Board make strategic decisions and expand its reach to improve and the lives of the people it serves. They will have a strong alignment with the vision and mission of Standing Tall and will pro-actively help to work towards its success and growth.

In addition to the formal Board meetings, Trustees will be willing to undertake informal engagement with the charity, including providing advice on an ad hoc basis to the management team. The new Trustees will especially ensure that the charity complies with its Constitution, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations. They will ensure its financial stability and that it applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.

Trustees will be expected to use their specific knowledge and experience to help the Board reach sound decisions, assist the founder with advice as required, and keep informed about, and support as appropriate, the activities of the organisation.

Standing Tall is seeking up to five new Trustees who are aligned to its mission and have the relevant knowledge to specialise in one of the following areas to support the charity with its success. The charity welcomes applications from candidates who are looking to take on their first non-executive role.

Marketing and communications: candidates will bring expertise in devising and implementing strategic digital marketing content. They will also be able to assist in the community engagement and communications strategy across social media platforms to help Standing Tall position itself, tell its story and increase its reach and brand awareness by tapping into diverse audiences. 

Commercial growth experience: applicants will bring senior leadership experience and broad commercial acumen. They will be able to demonstrate significant commercial expertise, and have held a senior strategic position within the commercial sector. They will have an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by an early-stage organisation and will know how to assess the nuances of these challenges as it continues on a growth curve.

Digital expertise: candidates will help maximise digital capacity and profile. This area extends to the improvement / creation of new digital infrastructure to support the organisation’s reach locally and nationally, as well as income-generating opportunities. 

Legal: applicants will be able to advise and provide scrutiny to the Board as the charity looks towards ensuring its long-term sustainability and resilience. Although the Trustee will not provide direct advice on legal matters, they will be able to explain and highlight legal and compliance issues to the Board. 

Finally, Standing Tall is extremely committed to improving the Board's diversity and it especially encourages applications from minorities and underrepresented groups. Improving the Board's diversity will therefore be a key consideration in this appointment. Please see the Diversity section for further guidance.

Standing Tall welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It is particularly keen to improve the diversity of the Board and ensure that it is representative of the communities it supports. As those from an ethnic minority background, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and women are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

This role is unremunerated. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board. Time commitment will include quarterly Board meetings and ad hoc regular communication when required.