Do you love Pembrokeshire? Do you want to make a real difference? Do you have valuable skills that could help us a trustee?

Voluntary/Non-remunerated 
Minimum of three years commitment 

We’re seeking individuals with proficiency and experience in any area that might enhance the work of PATH. Applications will be particularly welcomed from those with legal and/or financial expertise and anyone with personal or professional experience of homelessness. 

As a trustee you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity’s compliance with legal and financial regulations, as well as supporting its strategic direction and mission to alleviate homelessness in Pembrokeshire. 

We are looking for active, dynamic trustees who will help us to achieve our full potential as a charity and develop our services further. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Legal Compliance: Provide guidance and oversight to ensure the charity complies with all legal requirements, including charity law, governance regulations, and reporting obligations. 

2. Financial Oversight: Review and analyse financial reports, budgets, and financial policies to ensure the responsible management of funds and assets. Provide financial expertise to help shape the charity’s financial strategy. 

3. Risk Management: Identify and assess legal and financial risks to the charity’s operations and reputation and collaborate with the board to implement risk mitigation measures. 

4. Governance: Contribute to governance discussions, providing insight into best practices for effective and transparent governance in the nonprofit sector. 

5. Fundraising and Grants: Assist in fundraising efforts, including grant applications, financial proposals, and donor relations, leveraging your financial acumen to secure resources for the charity. 

6. Collaboration: Work collaboratively with fellow trustees, staff members, and volunteers to ensure the charity’s financial and legal interests are protected while advancing its mission. 

Qualifications: 

• Passion for the mission of PATH. 
• Housing and/or homelessness, administration, legal and/or financial expertise, ideally with a background in law, finance, accounting, or related fields or skills and proficiency in any professional area that would enhance the governance and operations of PATH 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work alongside other trustees and PATH staff to achieve our goals. 
• Willingness to devote time and energy to attend meetings and contribute to the charity’s activities. 
• Knowledge of the local community and homelessness issues in the UK is a plus. 

Time Commitment: 

• Attend board meetings (up to eight per year) and participate in regular sub-committee work as appropriate – between 2-6 hours per month. 
• Engage in ongoing communication with fellow trustees and staff. 
• Attend occasional charity events and fundraising activities. 
• To attend networking events as an ambassador for PATH 

Benefits: 

• The opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. 
• Gain valuable experience in non-profit governance and leadership. 
• Utilise your legal and financial expertise for a meaningful cause. 
• Networking and community engagement opportunities. 
• Personal and professional development. 

While PATH is keen to recruit new trustees with financial and/or legal experience, we welcome applications from anyone, from any sector, who feels they could add value to our important work. 

How to Apply: 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a covering letter detailing their motivation for applying and relevant experience to michael.hooper@pembrokeshirecaresociety.org.uk. Please include “Trustee Application [Your Name]” in the subject line.

About PATH 

Pembrokeshire Action for The Homeless is a dedicated, non-profit organisation, employing around 45 dedicated staff, who are committed to addressing homelessness in Pembrokeshire and its surrounding areas.  Our mission is to provide shelter, support, and solutions to individuals experiencing homelessness, empowering them to regain their independence and rebuild their lives.  

This dynamic and innovative charity has been serving the community for more than 40 years and has recently been awarded almost £1million from local and central Government to deliver some truly exciting projects to help support those at risk of homelessness and those who are experiencing homelessness.  This involves the staff in a wide range of activities from finance, budgeting, working with external stakeholders including landlords and negotiating and advocating on behalf of clients. 

We are currently looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees to help us to continue to deliver an excellent service and meet the challenges of the future. 

PATH’s values and Culture 

• Compassion: We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with compassion and dignity, regardless of their circumstances. 
• Respect: We believe in respecting the rights and choices of all people, including those experiencing homelessness. 
• Empowerment: We believe that people experiencing homelessness should have the opportunity to regain their independence and rebuild their lives. 
• Collaboration: We believe in working together with the community to address the root causes of homelessness and provide support to those in need. 
• Excellence: We believe in providing the highest quality of services to our clients and partners. 
• Inclusion: We believe that everyone has a role to play in ending homelessness, regardless of their background or experience. 
• Innovation: We believe in innovative and creative solutions to homelessness. 
• Accountability: We are accountable to our clients, donors, and the community for our work. 
• Transparency: We are transparent about our operations and finances
   

The Challenges and Opportunities ahead 

PATH prides itself on seeking out innovative ways to help and support its clients. We actively network in order to develop new funding streams and initiate new projects to continue our work. It is vital work that, sadly, shows no sign of diminishing, since the number of homeless people in Pembrokeshire has risen exponentially over the last five years – with around 5,500 currently on the housing waiting list. PATH is committed to supporting not only those who are currently homeless, but also those at risk of homelessness, by working with them to retain and improve their tenancies. 

We are currently in receipt of almost £1m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (Levelling Up) thanks to our successful bids to run an enhanced mental health counselling project to benefit both our clients – and the staff who work with them in some challenging situations. We have also recently launched a Numeracy Project – aimed at tackling some of the causes of homelessness, rather than just the symptoms. We will do this by equipping our clients with improved numeracy and money skills to help them better manage their tenancies and the lives. 

PATH is also committed to running family conflict resolution service, again to help families stay together and reduce familial relationship breakdowns, which so often end in homelessness. 

In addition to these new and exciting projects, PATH has a long-standing commitment to providing a tenancy support service; funding by the local authority, supporting new and existing tenants to retain their homes; an advice, bond and triage service, funded by Welsh Government, to offer support, advice and signposting to anyone finding themselves homeless and also a social lettings agency – Pathway Lettings, managing properties on behalf of private landlords and supporting people in taking on new tenancies.