Volunteer Trustee

Could you help shape our future?

Become a Volunteer Trustee

For more than 35 years, Katharine House Hospice has provided compassionate care and support for families living with incurable illness. Last year alone, we supported 2,630 people and their loved ones.

We’re looking for a new Trustee to join our Board and help shape the next chapter of our charity. 

As a Trustee, you’ll help shape our strategic direction and ensure our charity is well governed and making the best use of our resources. You’ll work alongside fellow Trustees and our Leadership Team, bringing experience, ideas and your own perspective to discussions and decisions about our future.

The trustees are legally responsible for the assets held by Katharine House Hospice on behalf of the charity’s beneficiaries. Board members are both charitable trustees and directors of a company limited by guarantee. Their activities are governed by both charity and company legislation.

Trustees must act together as a corporate entity in the execution of their duties, as set out in the role description.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are keen to hear from people who can bring different skills, life experience and perspectives to our Board.

Together, we want to help more people from all communities access the care of their choice at the end of their life.  Could you help make that happen?

What you’ll do

Being a Trustee can be much more than attending Board meetings. The role is what you make it, and many of our Trustees enjoy getting involved in hospice life – visiting our charity shops, attending events, supporting fundraising activities and getting to know our staff and volunteers. One has even taken on a skydive!

Alongside your Board responsibilities, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about the hospice, meet the people who make it what it is and play an active part in our work.

What you’ll get

Becoming a Trustee is an opportunity to:

• make a meaningful contribution to the future of hospice care in our community
• use your skills and experience to help shape the future of a local charity
• develop your knowledge, skills and experience
• gain experience of charity governance and Board-level decision-making
• meet people from across the hospice and see first-hand the difference you make
• learn more about our work and the difference our services make to local families and our community.

What we value

We’re interested in the experience, perspective and qualities you can bring.

We value people who:

• share our commitment to the work and values of Katharine House Hospice
• think strategically and see the bigger picture
• bring fresh ideas, different perspectives and constructive challenge
• are willing to ask questions and contribute to discussions
• listen to and respect different points of view
• work collaboratively and make decisions as part of a team
• act with integrity, good judgement and discretion
• are willing to learn about the hospice, our services and the communities we support.

Practical details

This is a voluntary, unpaid role.

• You’ll need to commit around 10–12 hours a month. This includes preparing for and attending our Board meeting every two months plus quarterly committee meetings, although this can vary.
• You’ll take part in an induction, including meeting senior colleagues and learning more about different areas of the hospice.
• Trustees are expected to attend Board and relevant committee meetings, as well as occasional away days.
• You’ll need to complete a DBS check.
• You’ll need to confirm that you’re eligible to act as both a charity trustee and company director.
• You’ll be expected to maintain confidentiality and declare any conflicts of interest.
• Term of office: An initial six-year term, with the opportunity to serve two further two-year terms.