Become A Trustee
“I was instantly taken with CCN, I felt that the organisation filled a huge gap that is not part of the justice provision. The true measurement of our success is achieved every time a mentor meets with their charge” – Martin Edwards, CCN Trustee
Join the board at CCN
CCN Trustees meet six times a year, on Thursday evenings, at Norwich Central Baptist Church. These meetings are in the odd numbered months. In addition, we meet once a year in the Spring to discuss and to formulate strategy, in the Summer for a social event and in the Autumn for some training. Trustees generally serve between 3 and 5 years. We are particularly interested to receive applications from those with lived experience of the criminal justice system, who have been out of prison for 4+ years.
A Trustee has particular duties summarised by the Charity Commission as:
1. Ensuring that CCN is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit;
2. Complying with CCN’s constitution and with the law;
3. Acting in the best interests of CCN;
4. Managing the resources of CCN responsibly;
5. Acting with reasonable care and skill; and
6. Ensuring that CCN is accountable.
We are looking to take on Trustees who can fill some of the gaps in our Skills Audit although the most important things are these: that the appointee has (regardless of prior experience) a passion for and a commitment to our work; and that he/she fits in with the existing Trustees and Staff. We encourage individual Trustees to take an interest in particular aspects of the organisation.
How to apply
If you are interested, we look forward to taking this further. First, we would ask you kindly to complete An Expression of Interest form, prior to informal conversations with our Manager and an existing Board Member. Next you would be invited to attend a Trustee Meeting on a non-participatory confidential basis to give you a flavour. Finally, if you would like to proceed, we would ask you to attend a formal interview.
“I have been involved with CCN since 2016 initially as a mentor but have assisted with administration from the start. I was subsequently employed as an Administrator in 2018 and served till March 2023 when I retired. I am now a trustee and took the Chair at the start of 2025. It has been my privilege to see CCN grow in strength, structure and sustainability over the years, to meet with a lot of great people who are willing to give their time and talents as trustees or mentors, and work with the dedicated staff. Also, the experience of knowing some of the clients has been a life changing experience for me.”
Paula Callam, Chair of Trustees