St Clare Hospice needs a new trustee with strategic financial experience to join its board.
The charity based at Hastingwood, near Harlow, recently revealed an ambitious 20-year plan to deliver outstanding care to the communities of the West Essex and East Herts border area.
Chief executive Sarah Thompson said: “We’re seeking someone with senior strategic financial experience, preferably a highly experienced accountant, and although experience of charity accounting is desirable, it is not essential.
“We’re in good financial health thanks to the incredible support of our local community and the prudent activity of our senior leadership team.
“We’re looking for someone who is able to contribute to our board with a good understanding of how we can best use our resources for the delivery of outstanding patient care services as well as sustaining our services for the future.
“As an organisation, we are committed to having a hospice team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities and that reflects the communities we serve. We’re particularly keen to encourage BAME, disabled and LGBTQ+ applicants and value the positive impact that difference has on our hospice and thinking.”
St Clare’s services are delivered free to those who need them, but it costs around £5 million a year to run the hospice. With limited NHS funding, it needs to fundraise most of this income through donations and other voluntary sources.
Last year the hospice cared for 1,409 people, with many people dipping in and out of its services. Of those, 201 people were cared for at the hospice’s inpatient unit, but the vast majority of care is delivered in the community, in people’s own homes and through the St Clare Hospice Wellbeing Hub and specialist clinics.
Sarah said: “The new trustee will be instrumental in ensuring we not only continue this level of both inpatient and community specialist care but expand our services to meet the increasing need of the population.”
For an informal discussion about the role, email sarah.thompson@stclarehospice.org.uk or call 01279 773776.
