Founded in 1989 in Manchester in memory of Albert Kennedy, akt is the national LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity, providing safe homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people. We exist to give LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 at risk of or experiencing homelessness or a hostile living environment the support they need to thrive. In 35 years, akt has provided more than 250,000 nights off the street and supported over 50,000 LGBTQ+ young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We currently work with over 800 vulnerable young people a year, providing both face-to-face and online assistance. We help young people to access safe accommodation and provide support to access education, training or skills to ensure a successful transition to independent living. We have regional centres in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Bristol and offer a fully online service nationwide to ensure our services are available when and where young people need us most. 1 in 4 young people who face, or experience homelessness identify as LGBTQ+ (National Scoping of LGBT Youth Homelessness, akt, 2015). 78% of the youth we work with have experienced rejection or abuse from their families (The LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Report, akt, 2021).

THE ROLE

This is a pivotal time for akt both externally, in light of the political and economic context, and also as we grow as a charity. We are currently recruiting a new Chief Executive who will join us this autumn. They will lead our transformation so we can develop our life changing services and build a strong organisational infrastructure to support our continued expansion. For our new Board members therefore, this is an exciting point to join us. We are looking to fill some specific skill sets although the list below is not exclusive and we are interested in people who can add value to the growth of our charity as we enter this new phase.

It is likely that you will bring experience in one or more of the following areas: financial leadership with a recognised finance qualification; income generation – with experience of designing and delivering fundraising strategies; service development – broadly in young people’s services, homelessness, mental health or wider service growth and transformation; governance experience either through a legal or company secretarial route.

Above all else, you will bring leadership experience, strategic thinking and insight which will support our strong governance and future strategy. You will care deeply about what we stand for, the services we provide and the young people we support. We are an ambitious, collaborative and engaged Board which offers a high degree of challenge and support to one another and to our executive team. You will join a team of people deeply connected to our mission and determined to make a difference.

It is unacceptable for young people to find themselves homeless, or at risk of homelessness, as a result of who they are. We are here to transform their lives and to enable them to find the safety and security they need at such a crucial time. If you are motivated by our mission and can provide us with the skills we seek, we’d love to hear from you.