We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds. The most important qualities are integrity, curiosity, and a willingness to contribute actively to board discussions. Trustees should be able to think strategically, assess risk, and help guide the charity through both opportunities and challenges.

We value people who can balance ambition with realism and who understand the responsibilities that come with charity governance.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly valuable

• ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE — individuals who understand environmental policy, urban greening, biodiversity, or climate adaptation and can help strengthen our environmental impact.
• SOCIAL HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OR REGENERATION — especially those with experience working with registered social landlords, local authorities, or estate-based communities.
• EDUCATION OR HEALTH SECTORS — including those with insight into schools, NHS estates, or public-sector partnerships.
• FINANCE, AUDIT, OR CHARITY GOVERNANCE — people who can support robust financial oversight, risk management, and compliance as we scale.
• INCOME GENERATION, FUNDRAISING, OR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT — to help us secure sustainable funding and build new partnerships.
• FRANCHISING, LICENSING, OR ORGANISATIONAL SCALING — to support our ambition to roll out the Greening Communities Satellite model to 100 organisations nationwide.
• COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING, OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS — to help raise our profile, strengthen our voice, and build national recognition.

Alongside professional skills, we strongly value lived experience. We welcome trustees who have grown up in, worked in, or supported communities facing disadvantage, or who have personal insight into the challenges of urban environments, social housing, or health inequalities. This experience helps ensure our board reflects the communities we serve and strengthens our decision-making.

We are also looking for trustees who bring

• COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP — people who work well in a team, listen actively, and contribute constructively.
• CONFIDENCE IN ASKING QUESTIONS AND OFFERING CHALLENGE — trustees who can hold the organisation to account while supporting the Chief Executive and staff team.
• COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION — ensuring our programmes and governance reflect the diversity of London and the UK.
• AMBITION FOR IMPACT — individuals who are excited by the opportunity to help a growing charity expand its reach and influence.

You do not need previous trustee experience; we welcome first-time trustees and will provide support and induction. What matters most is your willingness to use your skills, insight, and passion to help Seeds for Growth thrive — and to shape greener, healthier communities for generations to come.

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What will you be doing?

Seeds for Growth charity has been guided since 2006 by a committed board of trustees who provide expertise in community development, education, finance, and governance. Our board is small but dedicated, with trustees who have helped us grow from local estate-based projects into an award-winning London charity working across schools, housing estates, and NHS premises. We now have ambitions to expand our impact across the UK.

We are seeking new trustees to strengthen our governance and broaden the skills and perspectives represented on our board. This is an exciting moment for the charity demand for our programmes is rising, we are receiving national recognition, and we are developing new partnerships with registered social landlords, schools, the NHS, local authorities, and the corporate sector.

Like many small charities, we also face challenges — securing sustainable funding, adapting to changing community needs, and ensuring our governance evolves in step with our growth. Our staff team has recently expanded to six, with plans to grow to fifteen as our programmes scale.

Seeds for Growth aims to go nationwide by inviting 100 third-sector organisations across UK cities and towns to purchase a Greening Communities Satellite, structured as a franchise model that enables them to green their localities using our proven approach.

As a trustee, you would play a vital role in shaping our strategic direction. You would work alongside fellow trustees and the Chief Executive to ensure Seeds for Growth remains financially resilient, legally compliant, and true to its mission of empowering communities to create healthier, greener neighbourhoods that minimise the impacts of climate change.

Specific responsibilities may include

• Board leadership
  • Contributing actively to board meetings, helping set priorities, and supporting effective decision-making.
• Strategic guidance
  • Strengthening our environmental impact by advising on securing new registered social landlord contracts and supporting expansion into new social housing estates, schools, NHS sites, and our nationwide franchise ambition.
• Ambassadorial role
  • Acting as an advocate for Seeds for Growth, helping us build networks, raise our profile, and to attract support.
• Managerial Support
  • Providing constructive challenge and encouragement to the Chief Executive, our founder, and the staff team, ensuring accountability and a shared vision.

This is more than a governance role. It is an opportunity to be part of a charity that transforms neglected urban spaces into thriving community gardens, improves wellbeing, fosters pride in local environments, and addresses the negative impacts of climate change.

Trusteeship at Seeds for Growth offers you the opportunity to use your skills and experience to make a tangible difference to communities — thereby helping to shape greener urban futures for generations to come.