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Chair of Trustees
lewisham toy library

Job Description

About Us

The Lewisham Toy Library is a charity that has been supporting the education of children aged 0-8 years since 1976. It enables families and child carers to borrow educational, quality toys and play equipment. While encouraging child development, the Lewisham Toy Library also saves families money and reduces waste and environmental degradation through the re-use of toys. It is funded by membership payments and grants.

The Lewisham Toy Library employs a part-time Toy Librarian, supported by volunteers. Trustees also support the Toy Librarian in practical ways according to their time and skills, such as helping to organise toy sale days, publicising the work and seeking funding to ensure its ongoing success. 

Chair of Trustees: the Lewisham Toy Library is seeking a new Chair following the outgoing Chair’s recent retirement. It will be of interest to someone with management experience and a desire to preserve the Lewisham Toy Library, which recently narrowly survived the latest phase of deep cuts to council funding. Only apply if you want to be part of our revival, with a view tmaking us into London's best Toy Library.

The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the board of Trustees and to enable the board to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation, but if you're the right person, you already know that. The Chair also has a number of tasks specific to their role:

  • providing leadership for the board of trustees in their role of setting the strategy and policy of the organisation
  • planning the annual cycle of board meetings and set the agendas
  • chairing and facilitating the board meetings
  • giving direction to the board in areas of policy
  • ensuring that decisions taken at board meetings are implemented
  • representing the organisation at appropriate events, meetings or functions
  • acting as a spokesperson for the organisation where appropriate
  • primary point of contact for key stakeholders (with a particular focus on Lewisham Council) 
  • liaising with paid staff to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate
  • managing, reviewing and appraising the performance of the Toy Librarian

It is important that the Chair is able to be available to respond to the Toy Librarian on a regular basis. More important though is your ability to inspire a group of volunteers and see potential in things that others don't see.

Qualities sought in the Chair

  • good sense of humour
  • commitment to the goals of the organisation
  • integrity, strategic vision and good/independent judgement
  • an ability to think and act creatively
  • a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort (10-20 hours per week) to their duties as chair and trustee
  • ability to take decisions for the good of the organisation
  • strong and clear communication skills
  • tact and diplomacy
  • willingness to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others
  • an ability to work effectively as a member of a team
  • understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee
  • good corporate network

Desirable experience

  • prior experience of committee/trustee work
  • knowledge of services for 0-8 year olds
  • experience in political or community life in the borough of Lewisham

To apply: please send a letter of interest outlining your relevant expertise with your CV (each no longer than 2 pages) the email below by the end of the month. Interviews will be held for shortlisted applicants.