Banbury charity seeks trustees to help them make a real difference to families
A Banbury charity that has been invaluable in helping families with young children is on the search for trustees to help them take its work forward.
Home-Start Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton (BBCN) is inviting local people to bring their experience, compassion and skills to its Board of Trustees and help shape the future for young families across north Oxfordshire.
They are inviting interested people to join them for informal ‘Meet the Trustees’ events tomorrow (Wednesday) from 6pm – 7.30pm or on Friday, November 20 from 12pm – 1.30pm at the Britannia Road Children’s Centre, Grove Street, Banbury, OX16 5DN.
Trustees don’t need previous board experience, just commitment, curiosity and a desire to help families thrive. Home‑Start BBCN provides full training, support and expenses and welcomes applications from people of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences.
Home-Start is particularly keen to hear from those with safeguarding, legal, marketing or GDPR expertise, as well as anyone with insight into the challenges facing young families either from a professional or personal viewpoint.
For 40 years, Home‑Start BBCN has stood alongside parents facing some of life’s toughest challenges. From mental health difficulties to illness, disability, multiple births, refugeehood and social isolation, the charity’s trained volunteers and staff offer compassionate, confidential, non-judgemental support tailored to each family’s needs.
Its mission is simple - to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life.
As demand for support grows and volunteer recruitment and fundraising becomes harder, the charity is urging people who care about early childhood, community wellbeing and local families to get involved at a strategic level.
"As the father of three I know something of the challenges all parents face in supporting their children and helping them grow into resilient, responsible adults,” said Nick Case, Home Start BBCN chair of trustees.
"Research shows that the 0-5 years are the most important in the lives of all children. I encourage anyone interested in becoming a trustee to join us at one of our events to find out more.
"Becoming a trustee is a rewarding opportunity to give something back to your local community. As a small local charity, every trustee plays an important role in helping us support those who rely on our services.”
Senior manager Louise Sansom said: "We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. You do not need previous trustee experience. What matters most is your enthusiasm, skills and willingness to help shape the future of our Home-Start.”
The two relaxed eventss this week offer a chance to hear directly from current trustees, ask questions and get a feel for the charity’s work.
A full Trustee Information Pack is available here: home-startbanbury.org.uk/trustees. The closing date for applications is midday on Friday December 11, 2026.
The charity encourages anyone who feels they could contribute, whether through professional expertise, lived experience or a passion for supporting families, to get in touch, attend an event, or look through the information pack.
The charity held its 36th AGM recently, allowing those involved to reflect on a successful year and celebrate the excellent work done in the north Oxfordshire community, made possible through the collective efforts of volunteers, staff, trustees, supporters, partners and donors and the resilience of the local families it supports.