St Albans Old People’s Trust: Trustees (two roles)

Salary
Voluntary roles.

Location
St Albans – with the possibility for remote meetings where possible.

Job Description
St Albans Old People’s Trust is seeking to appoint up to two (2) new Trustees with an interest in directly helping older individuals (over 60) in need and small organisations supporting them. You will be part of a team of Trustees, who meet a minimum of six (6) times a year to shape the strategic direction of the Trust and make decisions on grant allocation.

1. About the St Albans Old People’s Trust

The St Albans Old People’s Trust (the ‘Trust)’ is a charitable trust that has the objective of the relief of persons over the age of 60 years resident in the area of benefit (the City of St Albans) who are in need, hardship or distress. The Trust provides grants mainly for the benefit for older, disadvantaged individuals for the purchase of products such as white goods, profiling beds and mobility aids and services. The Trust also awards grants to groups and institutions. We work in partnership with many other local organisations, such as Citizens Advice (CASTAD), Age Uk Herts. The Trust has funds of circa £6 million. The return from these investments provides the annual grants budget of approximately £220,000 awarded to individuals and other charitable organisations supporting older people in the district. The Trust is managed on a day-to-day basis by our Grants Manager and Grants Assistant, seconded from Herts Independent Living Services (HILS).

2. Board of Trustees

The Trust has a board of up to seven (7) trustees, which meets bi monthly. The Board determines the general policy of the charity. In addition, Trustees participate actively in decisions on the award of grants and in setting the budget and managing the investments, which produce the annual grants budget. The present Board consists of five (5) Trustees with a wide range of skills and interests in older people reflecting the remit of St Albans Old People’s Trust grants.

3. Duties of a Trustee Board Member

  • Ensure that the Trust complies with charity trust law and any other relevant legislation or regulation
  • Ensure that the Trust pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document
  • Ensure that the Trust applies its resources effectively and awards grants in line with its stated funding policy
  • Contribute actively to the Trust Board by providing strategic direction to the Trust, setting overall policies, defining goals, and evaluating performance
  • Ensuring the financial stability of the Trust and appropriate management of its investments, supported by our investment fund managers
  • Safeguarding and enhancing the reputation of the Trust

4. Time Commitment

Trustees hold six (6) meetings a year, normally held in-person in St Albans. Hybrid (online/in-person) facilities are provided to allow flexible access to enable Trustees to attend meetings remotely, if needed. From time to time, you may be requested to undertake assessment and/or monitoring visits to grantees. You will be encouraged to connect and partner with other like-minded organisations in the area.

5. Person Specification

You will help the Trust effectively distribute its limited resources to individuals and organisations operating in St Albans District. You will enjoy collaborating as part of a team, be willing to get involved and have an interest in helping older people and understanding the challenges they face. Experience of working within the Charity / Voluntary sector would be desirable, but not essential.

We wish to strengthen and diversify our Board and extend its representation to ensure that the Board has insight from the range of communities supported by our grants. We welcome applications from anyone regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, heritage, sexuality, gender and socio-economic background.

Desired Skills and Experience

We would particularly like encourage individuals, who will strengthen the Board in the following areas:

  • Have experience of the specific needs of older and disadvantaged people in our community
  • Possess some management experience or experience of resource allocation in an employment role
  • Have experience of working for or being a trustee of a grant-awarding charity or a similar organisation.

6. Safeguarding

The Trust takes safeguarding seriously for Trustees and Clients. Training is undertaken by existing Trustees together with appropriate guidelines/governance. New Trustees will receive training within the first year of joining. The Trust also requires that all Trustees have a DBS check (which the Trust will pay for).

How to apply
To apply, please email our secretary, Bill Fardell, secretary@staopt.org enclosing your CV and a letter of introduction responding to the following questions:

  • Why have you applied to become a Trustee?
  • How will your skills, knowledge or experience strengthen the St Albans Old People’s Trust’s Board?

Please tell us about how your knowledge and experience link to the specific areas highlighted.

For an informal discussion with the Chair of Trustees, please either email Chair@staopt.org, or email Bill Fardell (secretary). Our Grants Manager, Kate Newton, is also available to speak with you.

Closing date
30 March 2025.