Hospice in the Weald is a well-established local charity serving the communities in West Kent and northern East Sussex for more than 40 years. As rated by the CQC, It provides outstanding hospice care free of charge to people living with a terminal illness, as well as those important to them.

People are sometimes confused by what a Hospice actually does. Hospice in the Weald is there 24/7 for anyone who needs it, working to help, support and care for patients with an illness where a cure is no longer possible, and to provide palliative care for patients who will at some stage die from their illness, whenever that may be. It also provides physical, medical and emotional support through its services; anyone can also access the Help Hub, which is full of information, advice and guidance, including direct contact with the team.

It’s not just at the end of life that Hospice in the Weald can help. It wants to ensure that anyone affected by a terminal illness - not just patients, but also those important to them - can access the support they need, when they need it. Whether for a family member or friend, its Services will provide support to anyone important to a patient. The charity provides care which is completely tailored to each person as an individual, to help patients make decisions which are right for them and their loved ones.

With a new CEO having joined at the beginning of last year, Hospice in the Weald has ambitious plans to grow its activities and impact. It has launched a new service providing hospice care for children, which will help it to fulfil even more unmet need in the local area. Looking ahead, it hopes to maintain and strengthen (with a deficit anticipated next year) its financial stability by targeting new revenue streams across retail, fundraising and statutory funding. It will strive to be an even more collaborative, open organisation which continues to deliver care which is safe, effective and responsive.

You can read about Hospice of the Weald's Strategy 2022-2025 here.

Working together as a Board, the Trustees' duties are to:

• Contribute to developing and agreeing a strategy to ensure that Hospice in the Weald achieves its stated objects (purposes), as defined in the memorandum and articles of association
• Ensure best use of charitable assets, including the proper investment of charity funds
• Ensure processes are in place to oversee implementation of the agreed strategy
• Safeguard the good name and values of Hospice in the Weald
• Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place as needed for the effective and efficient administration of the Hospice
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation
• Work with the Executive team, providing advice and developmental support as required
• Use own skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board make well informed decisions

Hospice in the Weald is looking for someone with current or recent experience as a General Practitioner (GP) to join the Board.

Candidates could either still be working or have recently retired, but will bring hands-on experience of delivering primary care in the community. They will have an interest in palliative care, and an understanding of paediatrics, frailty, geriatrics, oncology, and end-of-life care is welcome but not required. They will be able to support and challenge Hospice in the Weald's executive team as they develop a newly-launched service for children, and maintain a high standard of care across the organisation.

For those who may not have held this type of role before, a firm understanding of the difference between governance and management is critical. The successful candidate will be able to engage effectively with other Board members, acting as a clear and reassuring voice to health experts and those with expertise in other areas around the table alike.

Above all, candidates will share a commitment to the mission of Hospice in the Weald and its work. They will bring good, independent judgement and be able to work effectively with a committed Board and executive team.

Gary Withers, Chair

Joanna Ford

Dr Sue Grieve

Nick Benson

Suzanne Cockaday

Ed Wesson

Susan Pinkney

Linda King

Claire Ratnayake

You can find out more about the Board here.

This role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are four Board meetings per year, each of which last between two and two and a half hours and take place in person in Pembury, Kent. This Trustees will sit on two Committees, the Clinical Governance Committee and the Children’s Services Committee, each of which meet four times per year for c. two hours; attendance at these can be virtual. Finally, there is an away day in November and an AGM in December. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

This organisation is based in Kent and meetings will take place in person or virtually. Candidates will therefore be UK-based and within reasonable travelling distance of Pembury.