Marlow Refugee Action (MRA) started 5 years ago in Marlow, Buckinghamshire,
as a community response to the on-going conflict in Syria, and the struggles facing
refugees arriving in Europe. It has evolved over time to become a small but thriving
grant-making and awareness-raising charity.

Our aims are to:
• Raise awareness within our community about the nature of the global
refugee crisis, including with schools and churches;
• Fundraise to support frontline refugee charities with whom we form strong
partnerships;
• Support refugees and asylum-seekers locally.
In the last 5 years, our community of supporters have funded a range of vital
projects making a real difference to refugees and asylum seekers. These have
included:
• Supporting education projects and a legal centre in Greece and the Greek
islands,
• English language lessons for refugees local to Marlow
• Logistical support to move vital aid around Europe
• Part funding the purchase of an aid distribution van operating in Calais.

In addition we have inspired and encouraged members of our community to take
action through overseas and local volunteering with grassroots organisations, and
engaged our community with positive experiences such as our Syrian supper
evenings in Marlow, hosted by renowned chef Imad Alarnab.

About the role…
We are currently seeking expressions of interest from individuals interested to
join our Board of Trustees. At present our Board consists of six individuals, most
of whom joined when the organisation was founded. As we do not have any paid
positions, our Trustees are responsible for different portfolios according to
organisational objectives and governance requirements.

We have four Trustee meetings per year but we are in contact regularly in between times in order to facilitate decision-making and actions to be taken. It is preferable for Trustees to
be able to attend a minimum of four other events during the year.

Because we are a small community charity, all of our Trustees are very hands-
on; we work together to run fundraising events, engage with our network of supporters, handle our charity partner relationships and engage members of our
community in fundraising and awareness raising activity. It is vital therefore that
new Trustees enter fully into the spirit of this approach and have the time to give
to this.

About you…
We seek applications from individuals who are passionate about refugees and
human rights. We are not looking for specific skills or qualifications – rather we
are looking for energy, enthusiasm, ideas and a willingness to get the job
done. It would be really helpful if you have direct and relevant experience of
refugee and human rights issues from voluntary or professional roles or through
lived experience. However, please do still get in touch if you don’t have this but
are keen to learn on the job!

An ideal candidate would:
• Have a connection to Marlow or the surrounding area and be able to be
physically present in Marlow to carry out some tasks and attend events
• Be able to commit a minimum of an hour per week to the role for a
minimum term of 3 years (hours increase in the run up to events,
particularly refugee week in June and our Annual Meeting in February)
• Be skilled in and enthusiastic about communicating to a wide range of
audiences
• Be creative and excited about ways to fundraise through our community
• Be respectful of others.

One of our aims in 2022 is to increase the diversity of our trustee base. To that
end, we particularly welcome applications from individuals from a variety of
cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Application process…
If you are interested in applying, please send your curriculum vitae and a
covering letter addressed to The Chair, Marlow Refugee Action, c/o 8 Carver Hill
Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2TY, or email to
marlowrefugeeaction@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed by three
Trustees and a recommendation made to the Board.

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact the email provided above
and we will call you.