The Hospice of St Francis is a charity which helps 2,000 local people and their families in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire annually, to live their precious lives well, through improving symptoms, achieving personal goals and helping them to feel safe.

Defined by each person’s need; its free care for people managing, or recovering from, serious illness has many forms – care at the Hospice, at Home, or in its Health and Wellbeing Centre which offers courses, workshops, clinics and therapies. Based in beautiful surroundings just outside Berkhamsted, the Hospice is also there for family, friends and carers. It offers advice for those worried about a loved one, which could mean recommending group activities, supporting children through a close relative’s illness or providing practical support and advice when someone special is no longer here. It is one of the 25% of hospices rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission.

One family member of a patient recently commented, “We were overwhelmed by the generosity of love that we received from the moment Mum was admitted and after she passed away.” 

The Hospice of St Francis looks to complement the existing strengths of the Board by appointing a new independent Trustee. This Trustee will use their specific skillset and relevant experience to help the Board make strategic decisions and assist the charity in enhancing its long-term support for beneficiaries.

Trustees, individually and as part of the Trustee team, are the ‘guardians of charitable purpose’, making sure that all Board and Committee decisions put the needs of the beneficiaries first; safeguarding the charity’s assets, ensuring they are used well, and that the charity is run sustainably. Trustees act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and always bear the interests of The Hospice of St Francis in mind. In certain circumstances, Trustees will provide high-level entry to other organisations and institutions to which the charity might not otherwise have access, to further the interests of the beneficiaries of the charity.

Responsibilities of the successful Trustee include:

• Develop strategy, set overall policy, define strategic objectives and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• Act as an ambassador supporting the work of the Hospice in generating income and in its relationship with the communities served
• Assure continuous compliance with the legal and regulatory standards governing the operation of the charity, the charity governing document and any other relevant legislation, updating the articles of association as required
• Assure proper financial control and ensure the application of resources is exclusively in pursuance of the charitable objects
• Assure the effective and efficient administration of the charity including funding, insurance and premises
• Assure that The Hospice of St Francis pursues its objects as defined in its governing document

As The Hospice of St Francis starts to recover from the financial and operational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks to appoint a new Trustee that will play an integral role in representing the charity and expanding its network, profile and credibility.  

Candidates must demonstrate a successful track record of strong professional fundraising experience. They will have a strong network with grant-giving charities and foundations or similar, which can be leveraged to raise funds for The Hospice of St Francis. The ideal candidate will have the enthusiasm and the energy to build influential relationships with philanthropic decision makers, chiefly at trusts and foundations. Further, the successful candidate will be expected to sit on the income generations committee, and where possible contribute to and / or attend working groups and Hospice functions.

Given that lockdown measures caused by the pandemic have forced the charity to switch some of its services to online delivery such as physiotherapy and counselling classes, it is desirable if candidates bring some expertise in devising digital strategies to assist the Hospice of St Francis in elevating its community engagement through different and innovative channels. Candidates must be UK-based.

The role is unremunerated, but reasonable and pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be covered. The total time commitment is approximately 15 days per year, which includes four annual Board meetings, four annual Income Generation sub-committee meetings, two strategy days, and ad-hoc engagement. Candidates are also encouraged to sit on the Finance, Resource and Risk committee depending on whether their time allows. The charity is open to holding virtual or hybrid meetings, but candidates must be UK-based. Appointments are made on an initial three year term, with annual appraisal, and the option to serve a second term.