Trustee – Help Shape The Kirkwood

What will you be doing?

The Kirkwood is at an exciting point in its development. Like many charities, we are operating in a changing environment, with increasing demand for services, financial pressures across the sector, and opportunities to innovate and develop new ways of supporting local people. Our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in helping us navigate these challenges while remaining focused on our purpose and long-term sustainability.

Our Board brings together individuals from a range of professional, leadership and community backgrounds. We are now seeking additional Trustees who can bring fresh perspectives, constructive challenge and strategic insight to strengthen our governance and support the next phase of our development.

As a Trustee, you will contribute to discussions and decisions that shape the future direction of the organisation. You will work alongside fellow Trustees and the Executive Team to ensure that The Kirkwood remains financially sustainable, well governed and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

Depending on your experience and interests, there will be opportunities to join a Board committee. Our committees support the Board in areas such as income generation, finance, audit and risk, remuneration, and quality, providing greater scrutiny and helping to ensure effective oversight of key aspects of the charity's work.

We are particularly focused on how we can continue to evolve our services, strengthen community connections, embrace digital opportunities, and maintain a strong and sustainable organisation for the future. New Trustees will have the opportunity to contribute to these discussions and help shape the decisions that guide our future.

This role offers a genuine opportunity to make a meaningful difference. The decisions made by our Board influence the care, support and services received by thousands of people and families across Kirklees every year. By joining The Kirkwood as a Trustee, you will play a key role in helping ensure that compassionate, high-quality support remains available to those who need it most, both now and in the years ahead.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people who can bring fresh perspectives, strategic thinking and a commitment to helping The Kirkwood continue to thrive in a changing world.

You do not need previous trustee experience to apply. We are committed to supporting new Trustees through a full induction and ongoing development programme. What matters most is your ability to think strategically, contribute constructively to discussions, and share our commitment to ensuring local people and families receive the support they need when facing a life-limiting illness.

We are particularly interested in individuals who can bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Finance, audit, commercial leadership or business development
• Digital, technology, data, AI or digital transformation
• Marketing, communications, brand development or audience engagement
• Retail leadership, commercial operations or income generation
• Community leadership, partnership working or stakeholder engagement

Alongside professional expertise, we are looking for people who can demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• The ability to analyse information and contribute to complex discussions
• Confidence to offer both support and constructive challenge
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A collaborative and forward-thinking approach
• Commitment to good governance and ethical decision-making
• Willingness to dedicate the time needed to fulfil the role effectively

We recognise that strong Boards benefit from diversity of thought, experience and perspective. We therefore welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from individuals whose experiences are currently underrepresented within charity governance.

This includes people from ethnically and culturally diverse communities, younger professionals, community and faith leaders, people with experience of volunteering, and individuals with strong connections to communities across Kirklees. We also value lived experience and recognise that insight gained through personal experience can be just as valuable as professional expertise.

As a charity serving a diverse population, we want our Board to better reflect the communities we support. We believe that different perspectives lead to better decisions, stronger governance and greater impact for local people and families.

Whether you are an experienced Board member, a senior leader looking to contribute your expertise in a new way, or someone considering their first trustee role, we would love to hear from you.

Above all, we are seeking people who care about making a difference, are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of The Kirkwood, and want to play a part in ensuring compassionate, high-quality support remains available for future generations across Kirklees.

What difference will you make?

The decisions made by our Board have a direct impact on thousands of people and families across Kirklees. By joining The Kirkwood as a Trustee, you will help ensure we remain financially sustainable, well governed and able to continue providing compassionate care and support to those affected by life-limiting illness. Your insight, challenge and expertise will help shape our future, support innovation, and ensure we can respond effectively to changing community needs for years to come.

Additional information

You can download the following documents:

Before you apply

We want our recruitment process to be welcoming, straightforward and accessible.

Suitable applicants will be invited to an informal conversation with one or more of our current Trustees. This is a chance to learn more about the role, ask questions and explore whether the opportunity is right for you.

Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to an interview. We are interested in your values, motivations and potential contribution to the Board, as well as your professional experience.

Applications will be reviewed throughout the campaign and we aim to respond to all applicants as promptly as possible.

We particularly welcome enquiries from people considering their first trustee role and encourage informal discussions before an application is submitted.