Hackney Migrant Centre Request

Organisation Description

HMC was established in 2007 to provide advice and support to migrants to help them
overcome problems with their immigration status and in accessing services. We
welcome all migrants, of any immigration status or nationality. As the environment
facing migrants has become ever more challenging, we have expanded the scope of our work. Our staff team has increased from one part-time worker in 2007 to a team of
eight people and we now have a budget just under £450,000 a year.
We provide legal advice and casework support on immigration, housing and welfare,
working with visitors to resolve the problems forcing them into destitution and
homelessness, such as insecure immigration status and lack of access the public funds.
We also, in partnership with local organisations and a team of volunteers, provide wellbeing support and regular community building sessions, including advice and support dealing with charges for hospital care.

What are they looking for?

All HMC trustees must have:

• An understanding of the issues facing migrants and refugees and a commitment to
migrants’ rights
• A commitment to the aims of HMC and to its visitors
• Willingness and ability to take an active role in the trustee board
• Integrity and commitment to working for the good of HMC and its visitors
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of
being a trustee
• A demonstrable commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles.

In addition, the Vice-Chair should have:

• The ability and willingness to support the chair to coordinate and lead the trustee
board
• Knowledge and experience of charity management and governance, as an employee,
trustee or volunteer, in order to support and the chair in leading the organisation
• Experience of planning and chairing meetings – experience of chairing a trustee
board would be an advantage, though not essential
• Understanding of the local voluntary sector environment and the issues facing
voluntary organisations
• The ability to commit time to the role – we estimate up to five hours a week on
average including time to prepare for Board and subcommittee meetings