Volunteering Opportunity: Trustee with St Albans Old People's Trust

St Albans Old People’s Trust (“the Trust”) is a local grant-giving Charity established in 2000 and is in the very fortunate position of not requiring to raise funds.
The Trust provides very valuable and worthwhile support to those who live in poverty or have fallen on hard times, are vulnerable and not likely to have their positions much improved. It strives to give back some dignity to those individuals by assisting them to remain in their ‘own’ homes and be independent as much as possible with the purchase of services and items which, for all sorts of reasons, they are unable to afford themselves.
The Trust also has sound working ‘partnerships’ with other elderly focused Charities as well as Citizens Advice St. Albans District (CASTAD), Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS), St. Alban’s City & District Council (SACDC) etc. to ensure that the individual(s) concerned are also receiving all their benefit entitlements.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: St Albans

Location: Indoor

Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekday Afternoons, Weekday Evenings

Practical Considerations: TIME COMMITMENT

• The Board meets bimonthly. There may be the need
for separate/additional strategy meetings if specific
topics require Trustee discussion and decisions -
either in person, via Teams or simply via email
depending on the point of discussion

• Commitment to assessing grant applications, via
email, usually 10 - 30 minutes

• On average 2 to 3 days of commitment across a
month are required for normal Trust business

• If a Project has been initiated time commitment
may/will vary accordingly, especially if acting as a
Project Lead.

SAFEGUARDING

The Trust takes safeguarding seriously for their Trustees and Clients. Appropriate training has been undertaken by existing Trustees with guidelines/governance currently being put together. New Trustees will receive Safeguarding Training within the 1st year of joining and thereafter every 2 years.
The Trust also requires that all Trustees have a DBS check (which the Trust will pay for).

Suitable for: 18 – 25 year olds, Aged 26 and over, Older People

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Older People, Trusteeship & Governance, Voluntary & Community Action

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: Yes

Full Description:
There are an estimated 4500 older people living on a very low income in the district. Covid has made their lives harder particularly in relation to bereavement, mental health, isolation and trying to access information.
The Trust is looking to appoint Trustees with an interest in elderly care, and although not essential, who can provide valuable related knowledge (hands on or otherwise) to help drive the Trust forward in the day-to-day operation and, together with their fellow Trustees, be part of future directional planning.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR

Our Trustees are proactive, passionate and empathetic to our target base of the needs facing older people. It is essential that Trustees share this approach and are committed to continuing and developing the Trust’s core values.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Reviewing grant applications, together with the Board,
for individuals and institutions

• Reviewing the Financials (presented by the
Treasurer), together with the Board, at each Trustee
meeting usually held bimonthly

• Considering new/innovative ways the Trust can
support their target sector whilst still satisfying the
core values of the Trust.

• Undertaking ‘ownership' of tasks/projects as
appropriate/required and presenting back to the
Trustee Board

• Engaging in training programs that will enhance skills
and that are recommended e.g. Safeguarding

• Ensuring you understand the governance
responsibilities of being a Trustee as well as those
that apply specifically to the Trust

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office
• A team-oriented approach to problem solving
• Respectful of the abilities of the staff and other
Trustees
• Non-judgmental approach
• Willingness to get involved
• An interest in helping the elderly and a willingness to
understand the challenges they face.

DESIRABLE SKILLS (not essential)

• Experience of working within the Charity/Voluntary
sector
• Knowledge/experience of the Elderly Care Sector.