Greenhouse Sports is a ‘sport for development’ organisation and a registered charity which has worked with more than 50,000 children in London, keeping them engaged with education, and helping them achieve better results, better jobs and a better future for over 20 years. Greenhouse has 50 programmes in mainstream schools, including four in schools for pupils with special needs, the Greenhouse Centre (our state-of-the-art community table tennis centre in Marylebone) and two performance clubs. The charity works with young people, coaching basketball, cricket, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and multi-sports for younger children and for pupils with special educational needs.

The charity focuses its resources in schools where at least two-thirds of pupils live in areas of high deprivation or which are specifically for young people with complex needs and disabilities. The Greenhouse Centre is in Marylebone, within one of the most deprived wards in the UK; more than 69% of the attendees at the Greenhouse Centre live in an area of high deprivation. 77% of participants in its programmes are from BAME communities. Greenhouse Sports works with those who need it most, focusing its resources in schools where at least two-thirds of pupils live in areas of high deprivation, or which are specifically for young people with complex needs and disabilities.  

In late 2020, Greenhouse Sports launched its 2.0 strategy to deliver ‘Earlier, More, Deeper’, introducing its first primary school programme, of which there are now four in operation. For ‘Deeper’ Greenhouse collaborated with Place2Be, a mental health charity, providing coaches with expert training in mental health support as part of their mentoring intervention. Greenhouse also began an employability project in partnership with the Brixton Finishing School to support its participants as they look beyond school. Growth in Greenhouse’s programmes is not confined to quantity alone but variety too, as its first cricket coach is now embedded at Eastlea School in east London with more waiting in the pipeline. The charity is proud to have pioneered its first programme outside the capital, a table tennis programme at Castle View Academy in Portsmouth, with more programmes in other areas across the UK in development.

Greenhouse now wishes to appoint two Trustees to join the Board, ensuring that it continues to maintain the broad composition needed in terms of background, skills and diversity to address the charity’s current and future needs. It is also open to hearing from those who are keen to contribute as a member of one of the Board’s Committees but not become a full member of the Board as a Trustee.

The main collective duty of the Board of Trustees is to maintain a high-level governance perspective. Key responsibilities of the Trustees include:

• Ensuring that the values and mission of Greenhouse are fully reflected in all its work
• Speaking up in support of the charity's mission and, if possible, using their skills or contacts as appropriate to support the charity’s annual fundraising initiatives
• Engaging with and supporting the charity’s CEO and Senior Leadership Team
• Ensuring that the organisation operates within the law, including in respect of equal opportunities, safeguarding and child protection, meeting health and safety requirements, and as a charity

This new Trustee would be expected to join the Fundraising Committee.

Trustee (Fundraising). Greenhouse Sports seek a Trustee with strong networks as it looks to build a broader network of enthusiastic donors Greenhouse Sports has been very successful in attracting resources to fund its coaching programmes, but this has largely been from a limited pool of funders. It is now seeking to build a broader network of enthusiastic donors from a more diverse range of sectors, so would welcome a candidate with the experience and / or networks who could help with this. The successful candidate will be committed to promoting equality and diversity, as well as the charity's mission. Greenhouse welcomes, and will offer training to, those who have not previously held a Trustee role.

Trustee (Programmes). This individual will be able to use their management experience to support Greenhouse’s objectives, ensuring the efficient running of sports programmes throughout the year. This is a crucial area for the charity's ongoing mission. Applicants will have first-hand experience of running a sports or coaching programme, or an educational establishment, ideally with current or previous experience in a senior leadership position. The successful candidate may have experience of working with young people, but this is not essential. They will be committed to promoting equality and diversity, as well as the charity's mission. Greenhouse welcomes, and will offer training to, those who have not previously held a Trustee role.

Greenhouse strongly welcomes applicants from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As those from minority racial or ethnic groups and younger people are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, Greenhouse may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. Beyond the four Board and other Committee meetings per year, which take place in London (but can be attended remotely), Trustees are also expected to spend some time observing programmes in its schools and in the Greenhouse Centre. Board meetings take place between 5-7pm, and the Operations Committee meet between 3.30-5pm. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

Location

This organisation is based in London and meetings will take place in person or virtually. Candidates will therefore be UK-based.