About Us

Building for Purpose. Changing Lives.

TrueNorth Trust was founded by Nicola Lofthouse who is currently serving in the British Royal Air Force and Joël Postma who is currently serving in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. With experience serving across multiple operations across the world, they saw how small things and a community-based approach can make a big difference to people’s lives and livelihoods.

They also know of many current and ex-serving personnel for whom a renewed sense of purpose and working in a team again, with a common goal in challenging conditions, would lead to lasting improvement in their mental health and resilience. This inspired them to put their combined experience and skills towards delivering a force for good, wanting to make a real difference for local communities across the world as well as for fellow serving personnel in need.

Our Trustees

Wing Commander Nicola Lofthouse BEng(Hons) MA RAF

Lieutenant Colonel drs. Johannes (Joël) Postma RNLAF

Mrs Emma Lofthouse

Charity Information

Charitable Status

The TrueNorth Trust is in the process of registering as a Charity with the UK Charities Commission.

Having secured a bank account for the Trust as an Unincorporated Association we are now in the process of developing and recording robust Governance documentation in accordance with the UK Charities Commission guidelines. When complete, these will be submitted as we apply for Registered Charity status. This is planned to be complete by the end of 2025.

Charitable Purposes

TrueNorth Trust’s charitable purpose is to advance the welfare and wellbeing, and develop life skills and resilience, of serving and former members of the Armed Forces and the wider military community, and to relieve poverty and advance education and health for the public benefit, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, in particular but not exclusively by:

1. Providing opportunities for personal development, purposeful activity, and community engagement for serving and former armed forces personnel;
2. Promoting social inclusion, mental wellbeing, and a renewed sense of identity and purpose following military service;
3. Providing financial and practical support for the construction or improvement of locally managed community facilities in disadvantaged areas;
4. Supporting locally led initiatives that promote sustainable access to education, healthcare, and increasing self-reliance.

We are committed to fulfilling these purposes with integrity and dedication, ensuring that our work creates sustainable and meaningful change for those who need it most.