3 Trustees

The Harrison & Potter Trust is a wonderful example of charitable settlements made many years ago that continue to make a significant impact on people’s lives today. 

It was established in 1970 when two old almshouse charities, the John Harrison's Hospital founded in April 1653 and the Mary Potter's Hospital founded in April 1728, merged to form the Harrison and Potter Trust. In 1972 a third charity, the Josiah Jenkinson's Pension Charity founded in May 1905, was taken under the wing of the Trust and subsequently fully amalgamated.

Background to the roles  

The Board of the Harrison and Potter Trust currently comprises nine Trustees including the Chair, although the two people who are currently responsible for the grant-giving will be leaving within the next six months. We recognise the need to enhance the Board and welcome new Trustees who will bring energy and a range of wider experience, knowledge and skills to support our important work. We are seeking motivated people who live locally or in the surrounding areas and who share our commitment to honour our settlors’ legacies to provide housing for older people and to support local charities. 

Main Responsibilities

• To lead collectively and ensure that the vision and purpose of the Charity are achieved 
• To ensure that the Charity complies with legal and regulatory requirements and acts in accordance with the terms of its constitution 
• To act in the best interests of the Charity at all times and to the benefit of present and future beneficiaries of the Charity 
• To protect and preserve the ethos of the Charity 
• To ensure the solvent and efficient running of the Charity through the monitoring and control of its finance and administrative systems and investment policy 

Person Specification

• Experience of working in Adult Social Care, or grant-giving, or have a background in law 
• Experience of organisational management
• An understanding of the importance of effective governance of voluntary sector organisations, including the respective roles and responsibilities of the Chair, the Board and the member of staff

Eastside People is supporting Harrison & Potter Trust in the recruitment for this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and cover letter, which should cover the following:

• Why you are interested in a trustee role at the Harrison and Potter Trust
• How you can contribute to the Trust as a trustee. Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the Person Specification.
• Why you think you would be a good fit for the Trust

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can make the application process work for you.

The closing date for applications is 7 October with shortlisting interviews with Eastside People taking place that week. Interviews will be held with the Harrison and Potter Trust during weeks beginning 21 or 28 October.

Eastside People is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and work with our clients to ensure that we recruit inclusively, seeking to address the underrepresentation of some groups of people in leadership teams. 

Statement on diversity

We are keen to diversify our Board so that we better reflect the people and communities of the city that we serve. We would therefore particularly welcome applications from younger people, from women, and from people from ethnic minority backgrounds. We recognise that having people with a range of different life experiences will bring fresh perspectives to our work and enhance our Board’s effectiveness and ability to better serve our residents.