Volunteer Trustees

What will you be doing?

At Crossroads Care we provide support and services for people with care needs as well as their unpaid carers across Oxfordshire, Newbury and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Being a Crossroads Care Trustee means being part of a forward thinking and strategically minded group of individuals who seek collectively to address the needs and aspirations of carers and people with care needs. Working closely with the Chief Executive who is a member of the Board, our Trustees use their talents and ideas to shape a responsive and effective service that is a valued part of our country's growing social care sector. We are not looking for Health or Care sector-specific experience (although this would be an ideal) but an interest in our mission is essential. Trustees work collectively as a Board and take decisions at formal Board meetings. Once a decision has been collectively made all Trustees are bound to support that decision. The role of the Trustee is to provide excellent governance; operate at a strategic level; oversee the organisation and hold it to account. Trustees are responsible for setting the mission and direction of the organisation, ensuring it's continuing success and sustainability. A full list of duties can be found in the candidate pack attached.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for individuals who have a strong empathy with our mission which is that in our areas of operation, every person with care needs and their unpaid carers have access to caring, safe, skilled, and effective support services to live a fulfilling life. We welcome applications from candidates with knowledge and background across the following areas:

Sales/Business Development Human resources Financial professionals Marketing

We would like Trustees to have the following experience:

Experience of working to at least a management level. Able to demonstrate critical appraisal skills. Experience in problem-solving and planning to resolve organisational challenges. Able to apply professional skills to the challenges Crossroads and all of social care will face both currently and in the future. Ability to contribute to the strategic planning and objectives of Crossroads. Understanding of risk management. Working in a team, being a self motivator and willing to share and air views and knowledge.

It is preferable (but not essential) that applicants have either experience and/or knowledge of the health and social care sectors. It would also be helpful if candidates have knowledge of the role of a Carer (those who are family/friends) frequently providing substantial levels of care on a daily basis to a family member, neighbour or friend who has significant levels of disability.

What difference will you make?

The Trustee should be willing to offer time to work with managers to consider how we ensure the sound governance of our organisation and to diversify and extend the services we provide to carers. Our strategic objective is to support carers and we aim to increase that number in the context of reducing NHS and local council support due to budget constraints. The Board is made up of a diverse range of individuals; six at present. We are friendly and highly motivated to ensure Oxfordshire Crossroads is a successful organisation as through its successes we are assured that local residents receive respite and have confidence in us. This is a significant benefit for our members.