Trustee & Associate Trustees

Trustee & Associate Trustee (developmental role)
(Unpaid – out of pocket expenses reimbursed)

St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth is looking for a new Trustee and two Associate Trustees who share a passion to serve our community and who can help us ensure that we are able to deliver our services. 

These positions are voluntary, and you will work with the Board, Chief Executive, and the Senior Management Team to support St Luke’s in delivering its strategy to provide specialist palliative care to people with life threatening illnesses and support to their families and carers, in partnership with others. 

For the full Trustee position, we are particularly interested in hearing from people from a digital background, the role holder will provide strategic oversight and advise on our digital transformation process and provide constructive challenge to our senior management team. See Role Profile below for commitment requirements. 

We are also seeking two Associate Trustees with clinical backgrounds who will support our existing Clinical Trustees and will sit on the clinical review group; these associate trustees will be a registered professional (or previously registered within a certain timeframe) from either a health or social care background. 

The Associate Trustees are not full trustees so will suit candidates who are not quite ready to be a full Trustee; this role can be used as a development opportunity. 

See Role Profile below for commitment requirements. 

We are particularly keen to achieve a more diverse Board of Trustees and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
 

Time Commitment
To attend our sub board meeting Clinical Review Group minimum 4 – 6 meetings a year (approx. duration of each meeting 2 hours).

Welcome to attend (as part of development/no voting rights) Board meetings 6 per year (approx. duration of each meeting 2 hours).

Additional Time: Preparation for meetings, occasional events, trustee visits and training sessions. 

Duration: One year term, with potential for renewal or possibility to progression to a formal trustee role on availability of role being vacant. 

Role Purpose
The Associate Trustee role at St Lukes Hospice is a learning opportunity for individuals to gain experience in charity governance. You will join board and committee meetings, contributing to discussions and decisions, but will not have full voting responsibilities. 
The Associate Trustee role will provide advice and support to the clinical trustees.

Key Responsibilities. 
Attend meetings: Join and actively participate in onboard and committee meetings, sharing your insights on hospice-related issues.

Support Governance and Strategy: Help develop and implement the hospice’s strategic plan, ensuring decisions align with our mission and values. 

Assist with Policy and Compliance: Review policies and procedures to ensure we meet legal and regulatory standards. 

Engage Stakeholders: Work with staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, and partners to understand their needs and perspectives. 

Key Attributes
You will have strategic but sensitive leadership and authority, with the ability to innovate, to challenge assumptions and to contribute your views and experience.

Commitment: Passionate about St Luke’s Hospice’s mission and dedicated to delivery of quality end-of-life care. 

Values: Share and demonstrate the values of St Lukes: Integrity, Professionalism, Compassion and Respect.

Benefits of the Associate Trustee Role/s
Development: Gain valuable experience in charity governance and leadership.
Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced trustees and senior leaders.
Impact: Play a role in shaping the strategic direction and success of a vital
local community service


Trustee Role
Salary: Unpaid. Expenses incurred whilst travelling to meetings
Hours: 6 Board meetings a year (approx. duration of each meeting 2 hours), 
attendance to a sub board committee 4-6 meetings per year (approx. duration of each meeting 2 hours). (You will be invited to become a member of sub board based on skills knowledge and experience) 
Term for full trustees: Minimum of 3 years. 

Charity Trustees
The Charities Act 2011 defines charity trustees as the people responsible under the charity’s governing document for controlling the administration and management of the Charity. The trustees must be at least 16 years old and are the directors of the charity and company and are known as the Board of Trustees.

Trustees
Are committed to the Hospice’s cause and values and have joined its board because they want to help the Hospice deliver its purposes most effectively.
Understand their roles and legal responsibilities.
Are committed to good governance and want to contribute to the charity’s continued improvement

In addition to statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the Trustee has expertise.

You will have strategic but sensitive leadership and authority, with the ability to innovate, to challenge assumptions and to contribute your views and experience.

Key Responsibilities
1. Ensure the Hospice complies with:-
a. the Hospice’s governing document
b. Charity law requirements and other laws that apply to the charity

2. Act in the Hospice’s best interests:-
a. is clear about the charity’s aims and ensures that these are being delivered effectively and sustainably
b. make balanced and informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term
c. avoid putting themselves in a position where their duty to the charity conflicts with their own interests or loyalty to any other person or body
d. not receive any benefit from the charity unless it is properly authorised and is clearly in the charity’s interest

3. Act with reasonable care and skill:-
a. make use of their skills and experience and take advice when necessary
b. should give enough time, thought and energy to their role, for example by preparing for, attending and actively participating in all trustees’ meetings
c. ensure the decision making processes are informed, rigorous and timely and that risk assessment and appropriate management systems are set up and monitored.

4. Ensure the Hospice complies with statutory accounting and reporting requirements
a. be able to demonstrate that the charity is complying with the law, well run and effective
b. ensure appropriate accountability to members
c. ensure accountability within the charity, particularly where you delegate responsibility for particular tasks or decisions to staff or volunteers

The board is made up of Trustees with skills and knowledge in the following areas:
• Health and Social Care
• Fundraising, income generation 
• Financial


TO APPLY:

Please send a brief overview outlining your interests and experience to volunteer@stlukes-hospice.org.uk

The closing date for these posts is 23:59 hrs on Tuesday 4th February 2025 

For an informal discussion about the role of Trustee/Associate trustee, contact George Lillie, Chief Executive, on 01752 401172


To visit St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth website, please click on 'apply for this job'