A RECRUITMENT drive is being launched by a Wyre Forest charity which is striving to achieve gold standard status by 2024.

KEMP Hospice in Kidderminster is hoping to appoint up to five new trustees after the retirement of two of its long-standing members.

The aim is to bring in people with a proven track record in communications, HR, legal and clinical experience that can help the hospice continue to provide the best care and support possible to patients and families experiencing life-limiting illnesses and bereavement.

Alison Field, chair of trustees at KEMP, said: "Organisations change continuously. An important element of our governance role is ensuring that our board is also continuously evaluating whether trustees are reflective of all the areas of our operations, so that we have the skills and experience to be assured that our charity is doing everything we should be legally, morally, ethically.”

The charity is facing its biggest challenge in its 51-year history following the coronavirus outbreak which forced the day hospice on Mason Road and its six shops to temporarily close.

“We are in year two of our five-year strategy and, even with the disruption of the pandemic, we are on track to achieve our strategic aims,” Alison said. “In a nutshell, we want all areas of our charity to be the best that they can be, whether that’s the experiences of our staff and volunteers, prudent financial management, ensuring we are communicating with our community and supporters in the best way, that the many legal and compliance aspects of our work are all up to date and followed.

“Most importantly, our ambition is that the care and support we provide to the people of the Wyre Forest is gold standard, high quality, easy to access and equitable to all who need it.”

Each trustee is expected to join one of four sub-committees, which meet four times a year prior to the main board meeting.

In between meetings, which have recently been conducted virtually due to coronavirus restrictions, trustees should also expect to receive and respond to correspondence from the CEO.

“The role of a trustee is quite a responsibility, but we hope not an onerous one,” said Alison, who will step down as chair in spring 2021. “We have an experienced senior team who provide us with thorough and comprehensive information, which is helpful.

“We want to attract people with not only different backgrounds, but we know that whether working or retired, time is precious.

“One of the things within our agreed structure is a four-year term of office, with the option for a second term."

To download a trustee recruitment pack, visit kemphospice.org.uk/vacancy-join-our-board-of-trustees, or for an informal chat about the role, contact KEMP chief executive Heidi Hawkins by calling 01562 756000 or emailing heidi.hawkins@kemphospice.org.uk.