Thames Reach Housing Board vacancy
If you are interested in becoming a Thames Reach Housing Board member, contact us at: boardmembership@thamesreach.org.uk
Thames Reach Housing is the registered provider subsidiary of Thames Reach Charity. We are a leading London-based charity helping people who have experienced rough sleeping, or who are at risk of rough sleeping, to find decent homes, build supportive relationships, and lead fulfilling lives.
The charity prevents rough sleeping, intervenes where people are sleeping rough, and helps people to recover from life on the streets. As well as outreach work, our services include tenancy support, emergency shelters, day services, hostels and accommodation, and help with health and employment. We work across London and in Surrey.
The purpose of Thames Reach Housing
Thames Reach Housing registered with the Regulator of Social Housing in February 2023, and has been set up to take ownership of one of the hostels managed by Thames Reach Charity. Becoming a registered provider also allows us to transfer ownership of other hostels and supported housing schemes where this is the best way to secure their future. Furthermore, it allows for the potential ownership of new hostels and supported housing developments where revenue funding is available.
Our expertise
The Thames Reach group (Thames Reach Charity and Thames Reach Housing) is growing in response to need. We understand the issues surrounding rough sleeping, and we use this understanding to influence decision making at a local, regional, and national level. We have an excellent reputation for effective service delivery, working with people who may have very high levels of need, and using our experience of delivering services to develop and improve our approach. The majority of our services are delivered to local and regional authorities on a contract basis, and we understand that our continued effectiveness requires us to sustain and develop our financial viability. We also need to retain our excellent employees and volunteers.
The group has just over 400 employees, and around 200 volunteers, and our turnover is around £25 million per year. The employees at the hostel which is owned by Thames Reach Housing are employed by Thames Reach Charity under a local authority contract. Thames Reach Housing therefore does not have any direct employees and its key function, as the owning registered provider, is to ensure the delivery of high quality accommodation that supports the work carried out by Thames Reach Charity.
Board vacancy
Thames Reach Housing has an effective and experienced non-executive board. They are supported by group sub-committees, shared with Thames Reach Charity, focused on: Governance and People; Finance, Audit and Fundraising; and Services. The Board meets around four times a year and participates in an annual group away day in the autumn. There are currently five board members. Two Thames Reach Housing Board members are shared with the Thames Reach Charity Board, and act as the link between the Finance, Audit and Fundraising, and Governance and People sub-committees. The Chair and two other Board members are independents, not forming part of the Thames Reach Charity Board structure.
We are now looking for a new independent member, with an interest in, and commitment to, ending rough sleeping. They also need to be able to provide strategic oversight for Thames Reach Housing.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who may be considering becoming a Board member for the first time. We will prioritise an interest in homelessness and an understanding of how housing associations operate above existing governance experience. We are able to provide governance support and training to new Board members, and you will be joining a board with considerable governance experience. Thames Reach Charity’s senior management team will also support you in your role.
Thames Reach is committed to achieving a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief. We particularly welcome applicants who may have experience of homelessness and/or of using services that support people with complex support needs.
If you are interested in becoming a Thames Reach Housing Board member, and think that you might have the skills that we need, contact us at: boardmembership@thamesreach.org.uk to find out more.