Becoming a Trustee is a great way to use your professional skills and experience to make a positive impact on our community in central London.
Bringing your skills to The Abbey Centre will help make the south Westminster community healthier, happier and fully supported. At the same time, you will benefit from the shared experienced of becoming a non-executive director of an established, successful and well-respected charity, developing your skills and working with like-minded individuals.
As well as attending regular meetings and supporting the work of the charity, you could serve on a project-specific sub-group, focusing on an important area of development. Whether you’re bringing hospitality, finance, buildings, or other skills to the team, your involvement will have a direct impact on those that need the services of The Abbey Centre.
Our Board of Trustees
There are currently six Trustees serving on the board (with room for up to nine) with one observer. Some Trustees are planning to retire over the next 18 months.
Board meetings take place at least six times a year and are attended by the CEO, Nick Parr and other members of the Senior Team.
The Trustees are looking to grow their number and, having carried out an audit of current skills and experience, are looking for professionals with a background in one of the following areas:
- Buildings / Architecture / Facilities / Construction
- Hospitality / Events
- Finance / Accountancy (Treasurer)
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences is essential to our success.
About The Abbey Centre
The Abbey Centre (Abbey Community Association Limited) is a multi-purpose community centre and hub based in south Westminster, established in 1948 and operating out of our current location in Great Smith Street since 1991.
A registered charity, The Abbey Centre strives to make residents of south Westminster happier and healthier: a vision we’ve adhered to for nearly 80 years. Our focus is on four key areas of need:
- Physical health
- Mental wellbeing
- Financial hardship
- Loneliness and isolation amongst the elderly
The Abbey Centre responds to these challenges by providing year-round activities, including:
- An employability project for women, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund
- Free warm meal services for those experiencing homelessness
- Social clubs and trips for vulnerable older people
- A Community Champions project, funded by Westminster Public Health
- A range of projects designed to improve people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing
- A Community Pantry providing affordable healthy food and other essential items to households struggling with the cost of living, funded through grants from Westminster City Council and a range of donations
- An Information, Advice and Support Service, helping people across a range of issues, from income maximisation to housing support
In addition, The Abbey Centre hosts many local community organisations in our rooms, and our community café is as a welcoming space for local people and professionals working in the area alike.
While just a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament, the initial appearance of affluence in the area masks a neighbourhood struggling with significant health and wealth inequalities which includes postcodes that are in the 10% most deprived in England.
In 2025/26 there were over 30,000 visits to our activities in the Centre, and our work was supported by 382 volunteers. Additionally, thousands of visitors used our cafe and conference facilities.
The Abbey Centre funds work through income from its social enterprise activities (a café, catering and conferencing business – Abbey Community Services Limited), commissioned services and grants from trusts and foundations. Annual turnover is around £1.3million.
What makes this work truly special is the diversity of the people who walk through our doors. The Abbey Centre is a meeting place for communities from all backgrounds, cultures, and faiths. On any given day, you might hear multiple languages spoken in our halls, see neighbours from different generations sharing a meal, or witness people from all walks of life coming together to support one another.
Our Mission
To support a healthy and cohesive community in south Westminster by providing the space, services and opportunities to the people who need it.
Our Vision
A south Westminster community that feels healthier, happier and fully supported.
How to Apply
Download the full Role Description here
To submit your application, please fill in the form here.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at enquiries@theabbeycentre.org.uk
