Trustee recruitment

Welcome from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee of St Giles.

It is a privilege to welcome you to this recruitment process and introduce you to an organisation unlike any other.

St Giles exists for those too often overlooked or excluded. Every day, we work alongside people facing complex challenges—serious violence, poverty, homelessness, exploitation, addiction, offending, domestic abuse and long-term disadvantage. Our purpose is clear: to help people overcome adversity, realise their potential and create lasting change.

At the heart of St Giles is a belief in the power of lived experience.

For more than sixty years, we have shown that people are not defined by their past. Their experiences can become a source of insight, resilience and leadership, enabling them to connect with others, build trust and offer guidance that cannot be taught.

This belief is brought to life through our pioneering Peer Advisor Programme. We equip people with lived experience to become skilled professionals, supporting others to overcome the barriers they themselves have faced. By turning adversity into expertise, our Peer Advisors build trust where others cannot, open doors that often remain closed and create lasting change for individuals, families and communities.

The power of lived experience is not just part of what we do – it defines who we are. It shapes our culture, informs our services and underpins our belief that those closest to society’s toughest challenges are often best placed to solve them. This approach has made St Giles one of the UK’s most respected and innovative charities working with people facing disadvantage.

It also gives us our distinctive edge.

We work where others cannot, tackling complex issues with courage, creativity and determination. We challenge conventional thinking, embrace innovation and continually evolve to meet changing needs. Our ambition extends beyond transforming individual lives to influencing policy, improving systems and helping build a more just and compassionate society.

As Chair, I am inspired by the calibre, diversity and commitment of our Board of Trustees. We are building a dynamic, inclusive and engaged Board that combines strategic insight with curiosity, constructive challenge and a shared passion for our mission. This is an active Board focused not on maintaining the status quo, but on enabling innovation, supporting excellence and ensuring St Giles continues to thrive.

Serving as a Trustee is both intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding. Few organisations offer the opportunity to influence national conversations on justice, inequality and social mobility while witnessing first-hand the resilience and potential of those whose lives are transformed through our work.

We are seeking trustees from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. Professional expertise matters, but so does a belief in the power of lived experience, a commitment to inclusion and a desire to help shape the future of a pioneering charity. We particularly welcome applications from those whose experiences will strengthen the diversity of thought around our Board table.

If you join St Giles, you will become part of an organisation with a proud history, an outstanding team and an ambitious future. Together, we will continue to show how the power of lived experience can transform lives, strengthen communities and create opportunity where others see barriers.

I hope this pack gives you a sense of our work and the opportunity ahead. I would be delighted if you chose to join us.

Thank you for considering this opportunity.

Mike Rebeiro
Chair of Trustees