Craze Hunkin Almshouse Trust – Voluntary Trustee Opportunity
Do you have a strong commitment to the St Ives community? Are able to give some of your time to support the management of local needs housing for older people?
Craze Hunkin Almshouse Trust is a registered charity which provides 10 affordable homes in St Ives, for older people. At a time when there is a severe shortage of affordable rented housing, the role of almshouse charities is now more vital than ever.
We are looking for two trustees, to improve the resilience, skills, and knowledge of our small organisation. We welcome all applications from people with passion and commitment to join our team. But we are especially keen to hear from individuals with the following expertise:
- housing or property management
- social or community work
- building and maintenance
- working with older people
- finance
Trustees are the main decision makers with legal responsibilities under the Charity Commission to ensure it is well run. We will be working with St Ives Town Council and, in the future, it will be responsible for day to day operations. But as trustees, you will retain oversight of its management, finances and future direction. You should also be committed to equalities and safeguarding good practice.
This is an opportunity to work with a small group of caring people to make a real difference to the quality of housing and care we can offer to older people in need.
If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please contact us, detailing your skills, relevant experience and explaining why you think you would make a good trustee. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact details:
Mrs Holmes, Iona, Carthew Way, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 1RJ
Overall Purpose
The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, development the organisation aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing documents, legal and regulatory guidelines.
Trustee Role and Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for managing the assets of the charity and applying them only for the charitable purposes as set out above. They must act as a group and not as individuals, and always in the charity’s best interests.
Trustees must exercise the same duty of care and prudence as they would if managing their own assets, or those of someone else for whom they are responsible.
The duties of a Trustee are to ensure that the charity:
1. complies with its governing document (ie the Memorandum of Association), charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations
2. pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
3. applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its Charitable Purpose, ie it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
A Trustee is expected to:
- Attend four committee meetings
- Be an active member of any Sub-Committee
- Contribute actively to the Committee of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets
- Take a leadership role in a specific aspect of the charity’s work, as appropriate
- Safeguard the charity’s good name and values
- Ensure the charity’s financial stability
- Protect and manage the charity’s property and ensure proper investment of its funds
- Actively manage the contract with St Ives Town Council to provide operational and management support, monitoring performance under the contract and completing an annual review.
- In addition to the above statutory duties, individual Trustees are expected to draw upon their specific knowledge, skills, or experience to assist the Trust in reaching robust and considered decisions.
Remuneration:
This role is voluntary/unpaid, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed when agreed in advance.
