Job Description

Our current Chair is approaching the end of their term and we are now looking for a new dynamic and experienced Chair to step up and lead our Board. 

The Trustees meet every two months to coordinate the general strategy, direction and management of Spires, receiving detailed reports from Spires’ Chief Executive and other officers as required. The day-to-day affairs of Spires are delegated to the Chief executive.

Our History

During the late 80s, homelessness became an increasingly visible problem in Streatham and the surrounding area. While media attention focused on the problems in central London, there was no service available locally for homeless people.

As a result, a temporary Christmas centre opened in 1989, jointly organised by the congregations of English Martyrs and St Leonard's churches in Streatham, with the support of many others in the local community.

Such was the demand for this service, and the support of local volunteers, that a more permanent service was established. Initially known as the 'Sunday Centre', a hot meal, clothing and advice were provided every Sunday for those in need.  This was quickly followed by additional weekday openings and a new name - 'the Spires Centre', registered as a charity in 1993.

Spires' services today

Since then, Spires’s services have developed to include our Rough Sleeper Space, Spires Streetlink (which includes outreach and centre services for women involved in sex work), Open Access drop-in, Women’s Space and our Spires Adult Learning Centre, Volunteering and a Counselling service.

We also work with a range of other voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure that we can offer our clients’ long-term solutions to homelessness and severe disadvantage.

Vision and Mission 

Our Vision

Our vision is for a community where no one is left without a home, support, information, advice and guidance and people are enabled to make the choices that are right for them.

Our Mission

Our mission is to engage with the most vulnerable, isolated and lonely in our community and support them to take advantage of the opportunities and inclusive pathway’s that will lead them to a place of greater security, improved wellbeing and hope.

Coronavirus Update

The effects of the Coronavirus pandemic are being felt across the world and are having a major economic impact on individuals, businesses and charities alike. Spires has remained open to the most vulnerable in our community. It has been possible to operate revised service models that protect service users, volunteers and staff whilst still offering people adult learning, information, advice and guidance and providing the practical support that individuals suffering financial hardship need to badly. This also enabled us to meet our responsibilities under existing grant funder conditions. Since lockdown, we have received fantastic support for the local community in the form of individual giving and food donations to help us. Grants from the National Lottery, Landaid, CAF, Martin Lewis Fund, Buzzacott, The London Community Foundation and Lambeth CVS, specifically help us manage and support people at this difficult time, are helping us cover the increased costs of out work.

What’s in it for you?

This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in an organisation that is committed to helping vulnerable people to become active agents of their own lives. We are entering an exciting period of change for Spires. You will be involved in driving the strategic direction of our organisation, as we continue our provision of services which aim to empower individuals to lead more meaningful and purposeful lives, your role is key in ensuring our future sustainability.
The Chair will meet once monthly with the Chief executive and should be available for phone calls and ad-hoc communications. This is approximately 1 ½ hours a month in addition to the Board meetings.