It Takes a City’s vision is to end homelessness and rough sleeping in Cambridge, making sure everyone has somewhere to call home, with the support they need. But we don’t work alone. We aim to build a big partnership not a big organisation, whether in delivering services or advocating change. The new collaboration around a Cambridge Homelessness Charter reflects that, bringing many leading organisations together in a new shared mission to end homelessness in Cambridge.
The work has grown from small beginnings and the governance and staffing has grown to match, with a highly capable staff team and a strong Board of Trustees. A recent Gold Award Quality Mark from Housing Justice for our winter “Crossways” project is a strong endorsement of the team.
Chris Jenkin BEM has led the organisation from the beginning as Founder and Chair. We now seek to appoint a Deputy Chair. The Deputy Chair will fulfil all the normal duties of a Trustee, in addition to being available to support the Chair, the Board and the CEO as need arises. It will be a non-executive role. There is no expectation that the Deputy Chair has to succeed to the Chair.
You will need a heart for the homeless but an ability to maintain appropriate boundaries. Some knowledge of cross-sector homeless services in Cambridge would be helpful. An ability to work in a wide ranging and complex public environment whilst maintaining a clear view of the goals will be key. An outline of the work of the charity can be found on our website www.ittakesacity.org.uk where you can also find a summary of our activities throughout 2023-24.
To apply for the role please send your CV with a one-page letter clearly demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role and send it to chris@itac.org.uk. Two references would be helpful but not essential.
The closing date for applications is 30th November 2025. Appointment subject to Trustee Eligibility Declaration and Board approval. More details will be sent on request.