Age UK Cornwall Volunteer Trustee

We are seeking Trustees to join Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

We are looking to attract applications from people who represent the communities and individuals we support. We are keen to add to the skill sets of our current Executive Board, helping maintain strong governance and oversight.

You can find out more about this rewarding, exciting, and impactful role by reading the full role description below.

Who we are

Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly is an independent local charity. We've been working in the local community to help older people for over 50 years. We have 140 dedicated staff and over 180 volunteers helping us to deliver services and activities for people in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.

Our aim is to inspire people and communities to age well. You can find out more about what we do by viewing our Legacy Book here.

Trustee Role Description

Main duties and responsibilities

The main duties of an Age UK Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (AUKC) trustee align with the six main duties outlined in the Charity Commission Guidance (CC3a). We would like the successful applicant to:

• Ensure AUKC applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives for the public benefit.
• Comply with the AUKC’s governing document and the law. 
• Have an enthusiasm for the work of AUKC and the time, ability, and commitment to carry out the duties of a Board.                              This includes attending at least 5 Board meetings per year (including the AGM and end of year accounts); usually held on the Thursday morning. Plus helping with other training, planning and promotional events when able. All Age UK Cornwall Trustees have a specialist interest or experience, and we are specifically looking for potential trustees with experience in these areas:
  • IT/Digital
  • Commercial trading
  • Human Resources and well-being
  • Mental health support
  • Estate management/Health and safety/Compliance
  • Performance reporting
  • Transport services
• Act in AUKC’s best interests by working closely with other Trustees and members of AUKC to provide sound strategic direction and decision making based on current best information. This includes setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets in the Board meetings and document reviews.
• Safeguard the good name and values of AUKC.
• Manage AUKC’s resources responsibly to ensure effective and efficient administration of AUKC’s business and strategic plan. This includes monitoring financial stability of AUKC, appointing key staff and future Chief Executive Officers, performing risk assessment regularly, overseeing the performance and outcomes, and mitigating potential and preventable risks.
• Be accountable for the AUKC. Trustees holds accountability to the charity, the members, staff, and volunteers. This includes statutory accounting and reporting requirement in a format comprehended to everyone, i.e., annual general meetings, annual reports, and financial reports.

Person Specification

• Someone who is caring, person-centred, and passionate about Cornish communities and people.
• Strategic vision and understanding.
• Good, independent judgment.
• An ability to think creatively.
• An understanding of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship, together with an understanding of the financial aspects of running a charity.
• Someone who has a commitment to the aims and objectives of Age UK Cornwall, in promoting it in the best interests of its stakeholders and staff.
• An ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing an independent perspective.
• Possess integrity, objectivity, accountability, honesty.
• The applicant must be legally eligible to stand as a registered Company Director and Charity Trustee.

To Apply

Application Deadline: Friday 1st November 2024

If you are interested and want to know more about this exciting role, please contact us by email Tracey.Roose@ageukcornwall.org.uk or alternatively call our HR department on 01872 266881.

CVs and cover letters are not required but can be submitted to support your application if you wish. If you need any support with your application or require your application in a certain format, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Terms of Appointment 

• Trustees usually serve for an initial term of 2 years and should expect to serve for no more than a further two terms of 3 years. Trustees are required to attend scheduled meetings and some ad hoc meetings. 
• It is anticipated that the time commitment should be no more than 6 hours a month on average but there could be occasions when extra time will be required (e.g., during planning of new projects or dealing with any difficulties that arise). 
• Whilst the role of Trustee is unpaid, reasonable out of pocket expenses are payable in line with Age UK Cornwall’s policy.
• DBS & references are required for all our Volunteer roles