Trustee for St Albans Old People's Trust

St Albans Old People’s Trust is seeking to appoint two (2) new Trustees with an interest in helping older people (over 60) in need and the small organisations supporting them. You will be part of a forward-looking 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. No previous experience of being a Trustee is necessary.

1. About the St Albans Old People’s Trust

The St Albans Old People’s Trust (the ‘Trust)’ is a charity with 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 supports local older residents in need by providing grants for the purchase of household items, such as white goods, beds and support services. Clients tell us that our grants can be lifechanging .The Trust also provides funding to community groups with the same focus and works in partnership with organisations, such as Citizens Advice (CASTAD), Age UK Herts. 

The story of the Trust starts with our benefactor Mr Harold C.C. McIlwraith, a director of the White Star Line and his home Glen Almond in King Harry Lane, St Albans. In 1963, 

it became a charitable residential home for the elderly, called ‘Glenalmond’. In the late 1990's, Glenalmond was sold, the proceeds used to create St Albans Old People's Trust in 2000. Around that time, the Trust was given properties from two legacies.

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 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 Health and 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 reflecting the remit of our client group.

3. Duties of a Trustee Board Member

• Ensure that the Trust complies with charity trust law and pursues its objectives as above

• Ensure that the Trust applies its resources effectively and awards grants in line with its grants’ guidelines 

• 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

• Promoting 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 annual resources to individuals and organisations operating in St Albans District. You will enjoy collaborating as part of a team, be willing to get involved with our purpose, have an interest in helping older people and understanding the challenges they face. Experience of working / volunteering 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 to encourage individuals, who will strengthen the Board in the any of 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).

7. Application Process

To apply, please express your interest and you will be contacted by our secretary, William Fardell, Chair of Trustees, or our Grants Manager, Kate Newton.

Closing Date for applications: 30 March 2025

Applications Will Be Considered As Soon As They Are Received.