Purpose of role:
With an ageing population, more and more older people are at risk of isolation and loneliness as partners and friends pass away, family members move away and the community around them changes at a fast pace. As a Befriender, you will become part of the solution to tackling the issues of isolation and loneliness by developing strong relationships with clients and encouraging them to engage in a variety of ways.
Main activities/tasks:
- Visit or call an older person once a week for around an hour
- Spend time getting to know them and understand what things they may like to do at home (e.g. chess, knitting, reading)
- Offer healthy and fun conversation and encourage them to talk
- Give support to enable them to get out in the community and encourage participation in activities
- Promote healthy living and wellbeing
- Accompany them on visits out of the home e.g. going for a walk, shopping
- Support them to find information
- Make monthly reports on visits carried out
Sutton Mental Health Foundation was established as a charity in 1998 and the aim of the Foundation is to support people with mental health needs in the London Borough of Sutton, helping to keep them well and active and helping them to have a voice in mental health care in the Borough. Our vision is to provide a community in Sutton which values mental wellbeing and understands how to respond positively to anxiety and distress. The Foundation works together to promote mental wellbeing resilience and recovery from mental distress.We provide nonclinical support, and we are part of the Voluntary Sector.
The Foundation is seeking to add to the expertise of our experienced, professional Board of Trustees, who are all volunteers. All our Trustees need excellent communication skills, the ability to work effectively as part of a team, strategic vision and good, independent judgement. Although not limited to, we would particularly value the experience and skills in the following areas :
- Company Secretary/Legal Experience
- Fundraising in the following areas – Grant, Corporate and Public
- Marketing
Lived or shared experience of mental health – desirable.
Inclusion is one of our values and we are looking for diversity in the makeup of our Board and that we particularly welcome applications from underrepresented communities.
The Board of Trustees meets every six weeks, in the evening at 7 p.m. for approximately 1 ½ hours in Sutton. Sometimes our Board meetings are on-line.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
St George’s Hospital Charity is a significant and positive force for change within our hospital and community. Thanks to the incredible support we receive from the wider community, we are able to fund a wide range of projects across our hospitals that make a real difference to staff and patients in southwest London.
Main role and purpose of position
St George’s Hospital Charity is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The Board are the trustees and directors of the charity. The trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, in accordance with the terms of its constitution, legal and regulatory requirements and best practice.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Collectively oversee the strategic direction of the charity and work towards the achievement of the charity’s vision and mission
- Ensure that the charity complies with legal, regulatory, and fiduciary responsibilities, in accordance with the terms of its constitution
- Identify potential development opportunities for the charity, and leverage relationships to facilitate this
- Protect the property, reputation and resources of the charity through ongoing identification, monitoring and management of risks
- Advocate for the charity’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Encourage teamwork among Board members and create a strong, profitable and fulfilling working relationship with trustees and the Chief Executive
- Appoint and give support to the Chief Executive of the charity
- Act in the best interests of the charity at all times and to the benefit of present and future beneficiaries of the charity
- Make a positive contribution to the charity’s governance, in accordance with the Trustee Code of Conduct and the Board's Terms of Reference
Qualifications and experience
Fundraising & Trustee
Essential:
- A commitment to the mission, values, and ethos of the charity
- Knowledge of the voluntary sector
- Current or recent professional experience in major donor fundraising and/or strategic partnerships with companies or other organisations
- Passion for the cause and some form of local or regional community connection
- Able to demonstrate evidence of effective delivery working as part of a team
- A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- Ability to lead through facilitating, enabling, and consensus-building
- Ability to challenge constructively and supportively
- Ability to operate strategically, noticing trends, opportunities, and risks
Communications and change management Trustee
- Current or recent professional experience in change management and/or
- Experience of strategic and digital communications
Clinician/general practitioner
Essential:
- All of the above
- Current or recent professional experience working in a hospital environment or in the community as a GP or nurse
Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair supports the Chair of Trustees in leading the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Vice-Chair helps leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Vice-Chair is also an ambassador for the charity and may deputise for the Chair of Trustees as and when necessary.
Essential
- Experience of being a trustee
- A keen sense of strategic purpose
- An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing
- The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment
- Advocate - be able and willing to champion St George’s Hospital Charity’ work through personal networks, social media, and other channels
- Be responsive and flexible, able to advise, support or help decision-making.
- In addition to the above, the Vice-Chair will have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees
If you would like to be considered for the Vice-Chair role, please address the criteria above, as well as those for the specific Trustee role you are applying for when you make your application.
How to apply
Eastside People is supporting St George's Hospital Charity in the recruitment for these roles
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
To express an interest in the role and to be considered, please submit the following:
- An up-to-date CV.
- A supporting statement that addresses all the criteria in the Qualifications and Experience above and outlines your motivation for applying.
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 22nd May 2024.
Successful candidates will then be invited to interview. Face to face interviews to be held at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, on the 3rd, 4th and 6th June.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.