Charity Governor Member

Overview

Join to apply for the Charity Governor Member Opportunities role at St Andrew's Healthcare
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St Andrew’s Healthcare is a thriving Charity with a proud history of helping individuals with mental health needs find hope. It is the country’s largest charitable provider of specialist mental healthcare and supports patients with some of the most complex mental health needs. The Northampton hospital opened in 1838 and has a long history of transforming lives. The Charity provides services in hospital and in the community.

The role of Governors within St Andrew’s is similar to that of an owner or shareholder, and Governors have collective responsibility for how the Charity is run by holding the Board of Directors/Trustees to account. Governors support the Charity’s Vision of “Imagining a society in which everyone living with mental health need is heard, valued and has a hope for their future” and its 2028 Mission to be a local, regional, national and international leader in helping people with complex mental health needs transform their lives.

All Governors are unpaid, and their main role is to know that the Charity:

• Has a clear strategy and defined goals and objectives against which to measure performance
• Is well run
• Makes the best of its resources
• Is open and accountable

The Charity now has a number of classes of Governors:
Full-time, Fixed-Term and Constituency Governors (Carer, Staff, Lived Experience and Community).

Final date to receive applications: 7 September 2025

Interviews will be held on 27th & 30th October 2025

The Court of Governors (Members) meets at least four times per year, with one meeting being the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Meetings are planned in advance, with formal notice of the AGM issued in writing at least 14 days in advance.

• At the AGM, Governor Members: receive accounts for the previous financial year; receive the Directors’ report; accept retirements, appoint Directors and the Chairman for the coming year and confer thanks and honorary titles; deal with any other matters raised with them.

Attendees at quarterly Court of Governors meetings are presented with papers and reports such as: CEO Report, Quality Update, Financial Performance Report, Governor Assurance Reports and Governor Visit Reports.

Governors are expected to contribute at least 12 days per annum, including attending at least two Governors meetings per year (one is the AGM), undertaking ward or service visits (at least two per year), and engaging in other activities to support the Charity as agreed.

Governors may also be asked to attend Charity Committees or Groups. If so, some flexibility will be applied regarding ward or service visits, reflecting the varied ways Governors contribute to the Charity. Governor visits remain a crucial means of gathering frontline staff feedback and informing decision-making.

It is preferred for Governors to have a St Andrew’s email account to access Charity-wide communications such as newsletters and videos.

Governors are expected to actively contribute by bringing their skills and experiences to the role. Opportunities include:

• Ward or Service visits and feedback to improve patient or carer experience
• Collaboration with the Patient Experience Team to ensure the patient voice is heard
• Participation in governance groups and committees
• Engagement with the Carer Strategy and Voluntary Services program
• Mentoring senior staff and supporting fundraising
• Promoting…