This is YOUR chance to advocate for the voice of the Membership at Cardboard Citizens, ensuring that the work of Citz remains current, relevant, and reflective of the needs of, and issues facing, people with experience of poverty and homelessness.
This is a paid opportunity, and successful Members will hold the position for a year.
What does a Member rep do?
- Advocate for and communicate the views of Members.
- Use your insight as a Member to inform decisions made by Staff and the Board, helping us to improve our work.
- Encourage Member participation in the Programme.
- Act as an ambassador for Cardboard Citizens and promote our values and work.
What does that mean practically?
- Attend Member Rep Meetings, coordinated by the Engagement Manager (approx. every 6 weeks)
- Plan and co-facilitate Member Forum meetings (4 times a yr) in collaboration with the Engagement Manager
- Attend Board of Trustees meetings (4 times a yr) and represent the views of the broader Membership.
- Attend workshops as a participant or observer and support people to make the most of being a Member of Citz.
- Advocacy and Member support: work with Citz staff to plan ways of gathering fair and representational feedback, ideas, suggestions from Members.
What benefits are there to taking on this role?
- Take part in training related to the role
- Skills development from Board attendance and staff support
- £16/hr renumeration totalling £688 over the year (We will discuss payment method with successful candidates).
How do I apply?
Send a maximum three-minute video or voice note to Eniola, Digital Marketing Officer, at eniola@cardboardcitizens.org.uk by 10th December midday explaining to other Members:
- Why you feel you’re a good candidate for the role
- What you hope to achieve in your year as a Member Rep
- Any relevant skills, knowledge and experience you have related to the role.
The videos will be posted on a private page on our website on the 16th December, and voting will be open to all Members until the 19th January.
If you have any questions or want to know more – Please email Rachel at rachel@cardboardcitizens.org.uk
A message from Gordon Booker Jr
Here’s a message and some advice from your current Member Rep, Gordon Booker Jr:
What matters most is that each of us feels seen, heard, and held within this community. My role is not to speak over anyone, but to carry forward what has already been spoken among us – to make sure our collective voice is present in the room where decisions are made. To me, being a Member Representative has meant holding space rather than being constantly active. It is less about tasks and more about being a bridge: someone members know they can turn to, someone who carries their voice into conversations that matter. The role is not always busy, and sometimes it can feel undefined. Yet even in those quieter moments, the responsibility remains - to represent, to hold trust, and to remind the group that their voices matter.
Advice for anyone stepping into the role:
- Don’t overthink it – you don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers.
- What matters most is being approachable, listening with care, and showing up with humility.
- The qualities that help are simple: patience, empathy, and reliability.
- You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room. What matters is being someone others feel comfortable approaching.
What representation really means
Representation is not only about speaking for people but listening to them – not just to the words, but to what is being said beneath them. The role is symbolic as much as practical: it reassures members that their concerns and hopes are valued.
It is a lantern held in the meeting space, reminding us that decisions are not abstract, but rooted in the lived experiences of our members. It is a bridge of trust, spanning the space between voices and action.
Looking ahead
I believe this role can grow into something more creative – not just a channel for feedback, but a way of shaping our culture. It can help make meetings and reports feel alive, imaginative, and connected to the spirit of the community.
This is the role I see: one that helps turn function into something progressive, radiant, and meaningful. It is a responsibility that deepens with time, and I feel there is more to offer in the year ahead.
With humility and care, I will continue to carry our collective voice – not as mine, but as ours – so that our community may flourish in inclusion, creativity, and care.
Gordon Booker Jnr, Member Representative 2025
