• Rusthall Lodge is an innovative and growing charity that is adept at responding to the ever-changing needs of its residents. It delivers residential, dementia and nursing care to the elderly and vulnerable population of Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas. In a leafy Edwardian suburb of Rusthall village, the Home was generously donated to a housing association in 1968 to be used for the needy of this area, and has since become Rusthall Lodge. The Home became a state-of-the-art housing and nursing home for elderly residents who have run into economic hardship. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation under continuous review of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Rusthall Lodge has a similar structure to that of a housing association.
  
  
• Rusthall Lodge is committed to running the Home in the best interests of its residents. The Home has been established with a quality-orientated approach to the business with a high degree of quality awareness developed through all levels of staff training and management. It ensures that a proactive approach is taken to introduce quality systems which incorporate audits and feedback, so that every part of the Home and its services can be evaluated to make sure that improvements are continuous.
  
  
• Rusthall Lodge's mission is to develop its Home based on integrity, reliability and trust. Its key focus is on improving and developing the quality of care and support already provided. It hopes to achieve this through programmes in training, mentoring, and the self-development of its staff, as well as building meaningful partnerships with the people supported and in the wider community. Rusthall Lodge already has an excellent reputation for the care and services provided to the residents of the Home, but have ambitions to receive a gold standard 'outstanding' review from the CQC.

• With current Trustees having recently or are due to stand down following their term of office Rusthall Lodge is recruiting three new Trustees to contribute to its future, so that it continues to develop into an outstanding care home. It is looking for committed individuals to expand the range of current Trustee skills, as well as to consolidate existing skills with an eye to succession planning. This opportunity requires dynamic and motivated people who are sympathetic to the aims and objectives of Rusthall Lodge to fulfil these voluntary duties. Rusthall Lodge expects Trustees to contribute actively to the Board by giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, evaluation performance, and ensuring the charity’s effective and efficient administration as well as financial stability.
  
  
• Trustees will attend Board meetings, get involved in support work (including fixed-term projects), contribute advice and support on an ad hoc basis, and attend events held by Rusthall Lodge. As well as attending all Board meetings Rusthall Lodge would like their Trustees to sit on an additional sub-committee; either the Finance Committee or the Quality & Governance Committee.

Successful candidates for this Trustee role will be able to show evidence of being aware of charitable and business objectives as set out in Rusthall Lodge's constitution, complying with charity law, company law and other relevant legislation and regulations. However, Rusthall Lodge is open to applications from candidates that do not have prior Trustee experience. In order to complement the skills of Rusthall Lodge's current Board, it is especially interested in hearing from candidates with expertise or experience in one or both of the following areas:

1. Care Sector Experience: Successful candidates will be able to show a passion for care. Applications from candidates with experience in the care sector will be appreciated, whether that's in social care, nursing care, or safeguarding. Aside from professional care experience, Rusthall Lodge will be looking for candidates who can communicate their passions on the importance of caring for elderly and vulnerable groups.
   
   
2. Recovery and Turnaround: Having felt the effects of the pandemic, causing a push back on growth and expansion plans, Rusthall Lodge will be looking for individuals with experience in recovery and turnaround within the parameters of good governance to rebuild its residence base and recover from financial losses.
   

Candidates with skills outside of these areas who feel passionate about Rusthall's work will also be considered. Rusthall is a local, community-based organisation, and there is a strong preference for candidates from or with a connection to the nearby area. In addition, staff morale and confidence have been noted to be affected since the pandemic. Rusthall Lodge would like a Trustee who shows skills in coaching, guidance and affirmation to rebuild staff confidence.

The role of Trustee is unremunerated, but reasonable travel expenses will be considered in accordance with Rusthall Lodge's expenses policy. Time commitment will consist of six Board meetings per year, lasting for approximately two hours, with additional sub-committee engagement with either the Finance Committee or the Quality & Governance Committee. The meetings have and will continue to be held online following pandemic restrictions. However, Rusthall Lodge would like Trustees to be able to experience the surrounding area and so will appreciate applications from candidates within the Tunbridge Wells area, or within driving distance.

As an equal opportunities employer, Rusthall Lodge welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. Applications from those with ethnic minority backgrounds are encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.