Looking Back: Julia Reflects on Her Time as Chair of Trustees
This Trustees’ Week, we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate the incredible people who give their time, skills, and experience to guide and strengthen Home-Start across London.
This year’s theme – Many voices. Working together. With purpose. – feels especially fitting as we prepare to say farewell to Julia Roberts, Chair of Trustees at Home-Start London, who steps down after 10 years of dedicated service.
Julia has played a vital role in establishing and shaping Home-Start London’s vision to support local Home-Starts to help ensure that families across the capital get the help they need. Before she steps down, we asked her to reflect on her time as Chair – what she’s learned, what she’s proud of, and what advice she’d offer to others thinking about becoming a trustee in the charity sector.
Q&A: Reflections from Julia, Chair of Trustees at Home-Start London
What first inspired you to become a Trustee and what drew you to Home-Start’s mission in particular?
I became a trustee after spending a few years working in the not-for-profit sector as a consultant, helping small charities become more sustainable. I saw first-hand the challenges they faced and wanted to do more to support them. Although I didn’t have personal or professional experience of Home-Start at that time, I had three young children, so a family-centred charity really resonated with me.
Looking back over your time as Chair, are there particular moments or milestones that stand out?
One key milestone was securing our first corporate partnership – a significant step that allowed Home-Start London to consolidate itself as a consortium. This came during an increasingly challenging funding climate, especially for a second-tier organisation that doesn’t deliver services directly. The partnership was a great success, lasting beyond its initial three-year contract (helped by the pandemic extension), and it enabled both Home-Start London and several local Home-Starts to reach and support many more families.
How has the early years and family support sector changed over your term as Chair?
The sector has changed considerably. We’ve seen increased government funding for childcare hours, shifts in family structures, and a continued decline in targeted family support services like Sure Start centres. There’s now a stronger focus on early years settings and a growing recognition of the importance of early intervention, ensuring that children and families receive support before challenges escalate. However, this has also come at a time of decreasing funding for universal and preventative services, which makes collaboration and resource-sharing even more crucial.
What have you learned during your time as Chair of Trustees both personally and professionally?
It’s been a huge learning experience in leadership, governance, and strategy. Serving as Chair of a consortium has given me a unique insight into the realities faced by small charities. I’ve also learned just how important the relationship is between a CEO and their board of trustees. In small not-for-profits, where staff teams are necessarily limited but incredibly passionate, strong board support and open communication from the CEO are of equal importance – it really is a partnership.
What have you found to be the most rewarding thing about volunteering as a trustee – and what have been the biggest challenges?
The most rewarding part of being a trustee has been the personal satisfaction and sense of purpose that come from making a tangible difference to a cause you care deeply about. You also gain valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. The biggest challenge has probably been navigating the increasingly complex and competitive funding landscape but seeing the positive impact on families makes every challenge worthwhile.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a Home-Start Trustee and what skills do you think are needed?
I’d say, absolutely go for it! You don’t need to have years of charity experience; what matters most is a genuine commitment to the cause and a willingness to learn. Skills in governance, finance, communications, or strategy are always helpful, but empathy, collaboration, and good listening go a long way too. Being a trustee is a two-way street – you give your time and skills, but you also gain so much in return.
As you step down, what are your hopes for Home-Start London’s future and for the sector as a whole?
I hope that Home-Start London continues to grow sustainably – building strong partnerships, exploring new ways of collaborating, securing lasting funding, and sharing knowledge across the network. My biggest hope is that every family in London who needs support can easily access it through their local Home-Start, ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life.
Julia Roberts is Chair of Trustees at Home-Start London and steps down from the role this month. The Chair role will be taken up by current Trustee Jeannie Pitt who will lead the charity into its next chapter.
Trustees play a vital role in helping Home-Start charities across London provide the best possible support to families. If Julia’s story has inspired you to get involved, you can find out more about becoming a trustee or connecting with your local Home-Start here.