Chair of Trustees

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum in the North of England?

The Comfrey Project CIO is looking for a visionary person, committed to realising our mission and values, to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Since 2001, The Comfrey Project has offered a secure and inclusive environment for individuals who have escaped conflict and persecution. We use horticulture-based activities including gardening, bee-keeping, cooking, crafts and construction with the goal of enhancing their physical and mental health, assisting them in acquiring new skills, and helping them integrate into their new community. We strive to be a place where everyone is made to feel welcome and everyone is encouraged to play an active role. Our volunteers, who are people seeking asylum and refugees living in the North East, put in as much as they gain, sharing their skills and knowledge with others and helping to make decisions about how the organisation is run.

This a particularly exciting period of development for the charity as we prepare for a long-term Asset Transfer of our premises.

Please visit our website here to find out more about this exciting opportunity and the work of our charity. You can download our full recruitment pack with instructions on how to apply here: https://thecomfreyproject.org.uk/get-involved/trusteeboard/

The closing date for applications is 8th of June 2026. The current Chair hopes to stand down in July 2026 but can stay in post until a suitable candidate is appointed.

Potential applicants are encouraged to talk with the Director: Eleni Venaki and the current Chair: Penny Schofield (please see recruitment pack for contact details).

Visits to The Comfrey Project at Windmill Hills are encouraged in order to see our work and to meet with our staff, volunteers and members. Please contact our Director Eleni Venaki on eleni@thecomfreyproject.org.uk to arrange this.