The Comfrey Project is a small charity based in Gateshead committed to providing a safe and welcoming place for displaced people living in North East England. We primarily support adults by providing volunteering and learning activities focused on nature and gardening with the aim of improving wellbeingand community integration. Activities include growing food, garden maintenance, cooking, nature crafts, bee keeping and more. A key part of our operation is engaging with our service users as volunteers to encourage confidence and skills and to nurture ownership, motivation, and pride.

We have a small and dynamic staff team which currently consists of four core members, and three who are hosted on behalf of partnerships with which we are involved. Five of our staff have lived experience of seeking asylum in the UK. The Comfrey Projectis, at its core, committedto bringing togetherpeople with diverselife and professional experiences and skills. Although we have a small staff team, our strong ethos of sharing responsibility between staff and volunteers enables us to provide support for approximately 600 individuals a year.

Role Summary

• Provide leadership and direction to the board of Trustees.

• Support the board in accomplishing their responsibilities regarding the overall governance and strategic direction of The Comfrey Project (TCP).

• Ensure that TCP complies with and pursues its objectives as defined in the governing document and any other relevant legislation (including charity law and company law).
• Work in partnership with the boards, staff, and volunteers to facilitate the smooth operation of TCP.

• At this time, help us to fully utilise the opportunities arising from the potential Community Asset Transfer of our premises and gardens from Gateshead Council.

Main Responsibilities of the Chair:

The Chair is a Trustee, elected or appointed to the role, who in addition to the general responsibilities of a Trusteealso has additional specific responsibilities:

• Leading the Trusteeboard in settingboth strategy/direction and the policiesof TCP.
• Ensuring effective financial scrutiny by the trustee board.
• Convening and chairingboard meetings and general meetingsas agreed, ensuring that the business of these meetings is conducted efficiently and effectively.
• Planning the annual cycle of board meetingsand other generalmeetings as required.
• Meeting with the Director to prepare the agenda and papers for board meetings.
• Ensuring that decisions taken at board meetings are implemented.
• Working with the Vice Chairsand Director to develop the board including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning.
• Line Management of the Directorincluding regular supervision and appraisal.
• Representing TCP at eventsand meetings and acting as a spokesperson, as appropriate.
• Sitting on internalHR panels, as necessary.
• Working closely with the Directorto ensure smoothfunctioning of TCP operations and services.
• Addressing any issues that mightarise within the board or the organisation.

Time Commitment:

The role requires a meaningful time commitment acrossthe year, dedicating up to 20 hoursper month. The time is flexible and includes over the financial year: 4 Business and 2 Development Strategy Board Meetings held in the early evenings; occasional development sessions; regular supervision meetings with the Director, which take place during the working day; and support for urgent matters between meetings, as required.

The Chair of the Board presides over the Annual General Meeting of the charity and delivers the Annual Report. Our meetings are held at a day and time to accommodate those involved.

Profile of the Chair:

We are looking for an innovative and visionary personcommitted to our mission and values who will lead our board as Chair.

The Chair will be required to demonstrate the following qualities, skills and experiences:

• Commitment to the aims and objectives of TCP and a commitment to the values and principles of good governance.
• Experience with or understanding of the refugeeand asylum systemin the UK

and the needs of displaced people.

• Have an interest in, or knowledgeof, wellbeing and the benefitsof nature, gardening and community.
• Commitment to promoting cohesion and trustingprofessional relationships.
• Capable of chairing and managing meetingseffectively, ensuring decisions are made and acted upon.
• Confidence being in a position of authority, able to be decisive and/or assertive as required.
• Have a good grasp of business and strategic planning.
• Good financial literacy.
• Commitment to the promotion of equality and diversity.
• Commitment to environmental sustainability.
• Have excellent communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Theability to give presentations and speak to and liaise with the media and any external-sector meetings as required.
• Able to communicate effectively in a public relations/ambassadorial role.
• Able to share views openlywhilst also listeningto the views of others.
• Capable of using tact and diplomacy.
• Able to inspireconfidence and engagement within TCP.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and a coveringletter to trustee@thecomfreyproject.org.uk, outlining why you are interested in this position and providing evidence of your suitability for the role. Please include the details of two suitable referees that we can contact.

The closing date for applications is 30 September 2025.

The current Chair will standdown once an appropriate new Chair is appointed, but will offer support, induction and advice as necessary.

We encourage all prospective candidates to contact the current Chair, Penny Schofield (trustee@thecomfreyproject.org.uk) for an informal chat. Penny can give you more information about The ComfreyProject, its historyand its future direction, and answer your questions about the chair role.

Prospective candidates who are not already familiar with The Comfrey Project should arrange a visit to see the work of the charityand meet staff and volunteers. Contact the Director, Eleni Venaki (eleni@thecomfreyproject.org.uk) to organise.

All applications received by the closing date willbe considered by a panel of 3 trustees.

Short-listed candidates will be invitedto an informal meeting with the Director, and a

formal interviewheld by a panel drawn from the board of Trustees.

Interviews are expected to take place in the second half of October.