At a glance

Skills

Strategic development and planning

Where

Durham, DH1 3QF

Mainly at the office

Time

Either in or out of office hours Estimate of time needed:
1-3 hours / week Attendance would be required at board meetings four times per year and at other committee meetings and events during the year.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and influence the strategic direction of the Hospice, helping us to grow and improve our services.

What will you be doing?

"The death rate in the UK is expected to increase in the next 20 years. By 2040, around 130,000 more people in the UK will die each year than in 2023. As many as 90% of people who die in the UK would benefit from palliative care." Hospice UK, 2024

As the demand for Hospice services in the UK increases, we are looking for new Board Members to sit on our Board of Trustees and help us meet the changing needs of the community we serve. The successful candidates will join an experienced, supportive Board currently made up of nine members. You'll bring specialist knowledge, skills, and expertise to help us shape the future of our Hospice.

We would welcome interest from anyone with relevant knowledge but particularly those with skills and proven experience in any of the following:

Delivering clinical services at a senior level (a medical practitioner with experience at senior level in primary, secondary or tertiary care; nursing or allied healthcare professional),
Fundraising,
Health and social care commissioning,
Environmental sustainability,
Lived experience of palliative and end of life care services,
Volunteer Management,
Digital transformation.

What are we looking for?

Commitment

Board Members need to be able to understand and accept the duties and liabilities of their role
Commitment to the 7 Principles of Public Life (frequently referred to as the Nolan Principles)
Empathy with the mission, vision and values of St Cuthbert’s Hospice
Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to be an effective Board Member
Commitment to ensuring the organisation is well run and compliant with law and regulation
Willingness to act in a way that is consistent with the Hospice’s Governance Standards

Focus

Ability to:

Think and apply knowledge strategically
Think creatively
Remain focused on the mission of the Hospice
Analyse and evaluate management information and other evidence
Understand the different roles of Board Members and Executive Officers

Communication & Team-working

Ability to:

Communicate clearly and sensitively and to take an active part in discussions
Influence and engage
Work effectively in a team
And willingness to express own opinion in a reasoned way, while also listening and remaining open to the views of others
Challenge constructively and ask questions appropriately

Accountability

Ability to exercise sound and independent judgement
Willingness to make and stand by collective decisions, including those that may be unpopular
Ability to manage difficult and/or challenging situations
Understanding of what conflicts of interest mean in practice and how to avoid them
Personal credibility with an ability to act as an organisation champion with a variety of stakeholders (including staff, volunteers, funders and supporters)
Ability to maintain confidentiality on confidential and sensitive information

Experience

The Board seeks to maintain a membership that has a wide ranging level of experience so it has the skills and experience to draw upon in its governance and decision-making roles. All Board Members will be expected to demonstrate experience in each of the following areas (although this could be through the world of work, as a volunteer or in their personal life):

Setting targets
Monitoring and evaluating performance
Financial Management
Risk management
Palliative and end of life care

What difference will you make?

The role of Board Member/Trustee is vital to the ongoing success and growth of the Hospice. As a Board Member, you will use your skills and expertise to help us achieve our mission to make every day count for those affected by life-limiting illnesses. Your role will also help us in realising our vision to be a centre of excellence within our community and to provide all-embracing, compassionate and individualised care to all those affected by life-limiting illnesses, at a time and a place that is right for them.

Before you apply

Role Description - Board Member 2024.docx

About St Cuthbert's Hospice

Causes

Older people / later life

Organisation type:

Charity

Our vision is to be a centre of excellence within our community and to provide all-embracing, compassionate and individualised care to all those affected by life-limiting illnesses, at a time and...

Trustee/Board Member required to help lead St Cuthbert's Hospice