Volunteer Trustees

What will you be doing?

The Edward Hain Centre for Health & Wellbeing opened in late 2023. Our mission is to provide accessible and affordable health and wellbeing services to our community. To that end, we rent space to providers on a part-time or full-time basis.   Major hurdles behind us include two rounds of renovation, and providing a variety of regular services. As we embark on our next stage of developent, we are seeking 3 new trustees who share our vision of community care and are keen to contribute to an exciting and challenging venture. In our first year we grew from one employee, a manager, to three. Due to the resultant increase of services—most of which, thanks to a number of grants, we offer free of charge—the Centre is increasingly busy. Recently, we also took on our first two full-time private health providers: a yoga teacher and an ear specialist. The St. Ives Food Bank, who provide 2500 meals a week to their local clients, also rents space from us.   Now, we are embarking on a larger phase of growth. The rear of our building, comprising at least 10 rooms, needs extensive renovation. Its eventual occupation by health and wellbeing tenants will be a huge step towards our financial sustainability—but getting there involves applying for major grant funding. This in turn requires reaching a stage of readiness to apply. So while our board includes members with legal and property expertise, we are now seeking others with expertise in long-term strategic planning and development. We are especially interested if you have experience in:

Financial Management/Business Accounting/budget setting Charity Governance: Leading or managing charities at a senior level Strategic development: to help build a portfolio of plans, feasibility studies and other documentation in order to reach the RIBA standard required for large capital grant applications Business experience: An understanding of the local community and business sector in order to help build our support network

Also, we will soon need to appoint a new secretary, treasurer and vice-chair. Your experience in those areas would be valuable, especially if willing to take on such a role.  Trusteeship with the Edward Hain Centre is voluntary. However some expenses may be payable as per our policies.

What are we looking for?

Ideally, we are looking for individuals with experience of working collaboratively with partners at Board level, as well as experience of leading an organisation as a member of a management board, committee or senior management team. As well as the specific skills previously described (under ‘Description’) you should be willing to demonstrate:

A commitment to the organisation A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort (please see below for more detail) Strategic vision Good, independent judgement An ability to think creatively A willingness to speak your mind An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship An ability to work effectively as a member of a team A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Regarding ‘necessary time and effort’ our board currently meets once a month for between 2 and 3 hours. Meetings are generally scheduled for several months in advance. We also have occasional interim meetings on a more casual basis, and/or workshops, to brainstorm ideas.  We aim to reduce the frequency over the next year; starting with bi-monthly, then possibly quarterly, depending on need.  

What difference will you make?

By joining our Board, you will support the strategic development of the organisation, ensuring that it pursues its stated charitable objectives and that operational plans and budgets support our vision and goals.  As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to leave your mark on a new health and wellbeing centre that occupies a building that once housed the former Edward Hain Memorial Hospital - an iconic memorial to one of St. Ives's fallen WWI soldiers that was founded by his parents in 1920, and was closed in 2020.  The story behind it— of the family who turned their personal tragedy into a gift for the people of the town they loved—makes it beloved of St. Ives. Most families have their own stories of it; it has a place in the community's heart. So in helping our new venture to develop, take off, and become sustainable, you will not only be instrumental in preserving a piece of the town's social history, but also the hospital’s legacy of care. The impact of the Centre’s presence is already tangible, with people attending sessions as varied as Mindfulness Meditation, MacMillan Cancer Support, Yoga, NHS diabetic eye clinics, baby clinics, and more. Latest on our roster is a weekly visit by residents a local Care Home, an afternoon out with various activities. We are offering similar provision to other Care Homes in the area for other days in the week. It is hugely rewarding to know that, day by day, people are benefiting from the company, comfort and care they find at the Centre, and to witness the joy so many of them express.    So while the roles we are seeking each have an essential part to play in steering the development of this important St. Ives landmark, your commitment will also ensure that we continue to grow, and provide a range of much-needed health, wellbeing and community services into the future.