50 anniversary

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We’re Looking For Charity Trustees

Our Suffolk and Norfolk-based charity is dedicated to ending homelessness, supporting mental health, and fostering community well-being through inclusive services and social enterprises.

 

About us

From humble beginnings as a homeless night shelter in Lowestoft, Access Community Trust has grown significantly in scale and reach for nearly half a century.

Today, the charity champions homelessness support across East Anglia, alongside providing a range of mental health and wellbeing assistance that helps vulnerable individuals of all ages, families and, wider communities that find themselves socially isolated.

 

Being a Trustee with Access Community Trust is a chance to make a real, tangible difference and to use your voice, your skills, and your experience to lift others up and build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

 

Want to find out more? | Read our Trustee Recruitment Pack here |

 

Ready to take the next step?

If you would like an informal discussion to find out more then please contact our Chair of Scrutiny and Governance Samantha Shevlin by email at: samantha.shevlin@accessct.org.

 

The next steps in becoming a Trustee at Access Community Trust will be:

  • Make a formal application, please send us your CV, along with a covering statement outlining your interest and highlighting your relevant experience to Samantha Shevlin, Chair of Scrutiny and Governance at samantha.shevlin@accessct.org.

  • You will then be invited to meet with the Emma Ratzer (CEO), Bradley Adnams (Chair of the Board) and Samantha Shevlin (Chair of the Governance and Scrutiny Committee) to get an overview of our Trustee role, overview of our charity and work, and discuss the specific skills and experience you can bring to the board.

  • You will then be asked to confirm your eligibility to serve as a Trustee and your interest in doing so in writing, along with a supporting personal statement and CV outlining why you are interested in becoming a Trustee of Access Community Trust, and the skills and experience you would bring to the role.

  • Potential Trustees will be invited to attend a board meeting to introduce themselves and to discuss their application.

Charity Marks 50 Years of Transformative Community Support

Access Community Trust, a leading local charity, formally celebrated its 50th anniversary this July, marking half a century of homelessness and mental health support. The poignant event, held close to the charity’s original founding date in 1975 as St John’s Housing Trust, reflected on the profound impact the organisation has had on Lowestoft and now across Suffolk and Norfolk, through its growing network of supported accommodation and community hubs.

The milestone celebration, attended by supporters and beneficiaries, highlighted the charity’s unwavering commitment to addressing homelessness and providing vital place-based community services. The evening itself was a resounding success, raising over £14,500 towards Access Community Trust’s ambitious goal of £50,000 in its 50th year.

A truly full-circle moment, the charity was honoured to welcome its very first treasurer and then chairman, Bernard Seagrave-Daly, to the anniversary celebration. Reflecting on the charity’s humble beginnings, Mr Seagrave-Daly stated,

“Fifty years ago, with the decline of the fishing industry and related sectors, homelessness in Lowestoft began to rise and went largely unaddressed. Each night, we provided basic shelter for 40 to 50 men – offering a safe haven when there was nowhere else to go.

“It was about providing basic human dignity. We didn’t have much, but we had heart, compassion and a belief that everyone deserved a safe place to rest their head. To see how that small seed has grown into the thriving Access Community Trust of today, supporting hundreds every night, is beyond what we could have imagined.”

Current CEO of Access Community Trust, Emma Ratzer MBE, who has nurtured the charity from a small, local organisation into a Sunday Times Top 100 Employer, emphasised the ongoing need for support.

“Tonight, we gather not just to reflect on this remarkable journey, but also to look forward,” said Mrs. Ratzer. “Our founding work, back in 1975, was rooted in addressing the critical issue of homelessness in Lowestoft.

“While our name and scope has evolved, that core commitment remains. The need remains profound. We support over 200 people every single night, 365 days a year. This enduring dedication is a testament to an incredible team and our volunteers, both past and present.”

She added that rough sleeping in the East of England has seen a concerning 22% rise in the last year, underscoring the critical need for Access Community Trust’s services.

Adding a unique and artistic dimension to the evening, live illustrator Rebecca Osborne captured the essence of Access Community Trust’s remarkable 50-year journey. Her real-time illustrations brought to life a vibrant timeline, celebrating decades of compassion, resilience, and innovation.

It was a powerful visual storytelling experience, charting the charity’s evolution through the voices of those who have been integral to its success, from founding members like Bernard to the countless dedicated volunteers and staff who have shaped its incredible history.

The evening also welcomed Bradley Adnams, the newly appointed Chair of Trustees for the charity, who expressed his honour in leading the organisation from 2025.

“It is a true honour to step into the role of Chair of Trustees for Access Community Trust, especially as we mark this incredible 50th anniversary,”

The charity’s 50th-year fundraising goal of £50,000 will enable Access Community Trust to continue being a beacon of hope for thousands seeking support in their darkest hour.

Support the vital work of Access Community Trust:

If you are interested in supporting or fundraising for the vital work Access Community Trust does in your community, you can discover ways to contribute on their dedicated fundraising platform by visiting accessct.org/50.

About Access Community Trust: Originally founded in 1975 as St John’s Housing Trust, Access Community Trust has evolved over five decades to become a leading local charity providing comprehensive community support across two counties. While its name and scope have grown, the charity’s core commitment to addressing homelessness and providing essential services remains unwavering. Access Community Trust supports over 200 people every night, 365 days a year, through a range of community hubs and dedicated initiatives.