Charity Governor Member

Overview

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, serving patients with some of the most complex needs. The charity aims to relieve suffering, give hope and promote recovery, with services in hospital and community settings.

The role of Governors within St Andrew’s is similar to that of an owner or shareholder, with collective responsibility for how the Charity is run, achieved by holding the Board of Directors/Trustees to account. Governors support in realising 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 leader in helping people with complex mental health needs transform their lives.

All Governors are unpaid. Their main responsibilities include ensuring the Charity:

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

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

Final date to receive applications: 14 September 2025

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

The Court of Governors (Members) meets at least four times per year, with one AGM. Meetings are planned at least a year 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

At the quarterly Court of Governors meetings, attendees are presented with papers and reports on the following:

• CEO Report
• Quality Update
• Financial Performance Report
• Governor Assurance Reports
• Governor Visit Reports

Governors are expected to contribute at least 12 days per year, attending meetings and taking part in other activities for the Charity. Governors will be required to:

• Attend at least two Governors meetings per year, with one being the AGM
• Undertake ward or service visits, at least two visits each year
• Engage in other activities to support the Charity, as agreed

Governors may also be asked to attend Charity Committees or Groups. Where this occurs, flexibility will be applied regarding ward or service visits, but Governor visits remain a crucial means of gathering frontline staff feedback and applying Committee/Group insights.

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

The Charity seeks Governors who actively contribute by bringing their skills and experience to the role. Opportunities include:

• Undertaking Ward or Service visits and feeding back information to improve patient or carer experience
• Engaging with the Patient Experience Team to ensure the patient voice is heard
• Attending governance and diversity groups and committees
• Engaging with the Carer Strategy to improve the carer experience
• Supporting fundraising and volunteering programs
• Mentoring senior staff and promoting the Charity within networks
• Offering specific skills or experience as a critical friend
• Other activities where a Governor can…