Waveney Domestic Violence & Abuse Forum

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

(This is a Voluntary Position)

“Because survivors deserve more than safety. They deserve to rise.”

We’re looking for a new Chair of Trustees – someone who leads with courage, listens with empathy, and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. At Waveney Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum, we support survivors of domestic abuse with compassion, integrity and a commitment to justice. Our work is local, trauma- informed, and we are growing.

About Waveney Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum

As a Forum we provide services to support survivors of domestic abuse.  We have been established for over 40 years and became a registered as a Charity in 1981.  Providing information, advice and training for the relief of emotional distress and suffering and for the preservation and protection of the mental and physical health of those who are or have been exposed to domestic violence and abuse. In addition, we support survivors of abuse with advice and guidance, programmes and training courses and Therapy.  We aim to advance education of the public, organisations and agencies in all aspects of domestic abuse, including its impact on individuals and wider society.  We meet with agencies regularly to discuss the best ways to achieve these aims and identify gaps in provision. 

What we do 

• Counselling: We offer professional counselling, including a specialised domestic abuse service, to help people navigate challenges and build resilience. 
• Support groups: We run groups for survivors.  These groups create stable communities, reduce isolation and offer peer support as well as offering trauma informed support programmes which provide a safe space for expression, confidence building and belonging.
• Training and advocacy: We work with schools, health providers, councils, businesses and community organisations to improve and develop awareness. 

Our vision and direction 

We envision a region where survivors are able to live safely free from abuse and where they and their families are able to thrive with accessible and informed support.

Now, we need a Chair who can continue to help shape that growth – someone ready to stand beside our staff, our clients, and our board as we step into our next chapter.

The Role

As Chair of Trustees, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and accountability to the board
• Ensure good governance with a trauma-informed lens
• Be a visible advocate for the charity’s mission
• Bring people together – especially in hard conversations

The Person

We’re not interested in just credentials. We’re looking for character. You might be a seasoned trustee or stepping into this for the first time. What matters is:

• A deep commitment to tackling domestic abuse and inequality
• Strong leadership grounded in compassion
• An understanding of governance and safeguarding
• Lived or professional experience of the issues we tackle
• Confidence holding space for diverse, emotionally complex perspectives
• Competent in using Microsoft Software and IT

Commitment:

If you’re values-led, and ready to lead a charity that puts survivors at the centre of everything – we want to hear from you.

Interested? Drop us an email at [email protected] for an informal chat or download Recruitment pack.

Thank you so much to Pakefield Women’s Institute for collecting these bags for the love Grace x charity and donating them to us. This is only a tiny selection of what we have received and we are very grateful. Thank you!

The Silver Chord Healers Group held a Charity evening of Mediumship and Healing on Friday 17^th October 2025 raising £800 for Waveney Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum to support survivors of Domestic Abuse.  We are very grateful to everyone who supported this amazing evening. 

Did you know, more than 20% of winning charities in the draws this year to date received 10 or less nominations. Every nomination counts and every charity has a chance. If you would like to nominate us before 22 September to make sure we’re in the next draw please click on the link below to nominate us, in order for us to be in with a chance of receiving £1,000!

Your nomination alone can make a difference!

Have you got experience managing teams in customer-facing, advice-giving environments? Are you a confident project manager?

We are looking to recruit a committed Charity Manager. The role oversees the operational development, line management, case management, and supervision of our services, Programmes, and Therapies.  An established working knowledge of domestic abuse, support services, or healthcare services is desirable.  You must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, possess strong organisational and technological skills, and be committed to building strong relationships with a diverse range of professional agencies and individuals.

WDVAF works to enable people living with the devastating impact of domestic abuse to see and make choices about their future and to rebuild safe and strong lives, free from abuse.  We are a registered charity and have been established for over 40 years to support survivors in the Waveney and surrounding area.

To apply, please request an Application Form and full job description from: [email protected]

30 hours per week

£16.00 per hour (FTE 33,280.00)