Trustees
Abbeyfield An Lac Community CIO is looking for new Trustees for its Board, as several of the current Trustees are coming to the end of their term of office.
What will you be doing?
The organisation is an incorporated charity (registered no. 1198321) which manages An Lac House in Cambridge (CB1), providing supported housing and extra care services to 10 older Vietnamese, or those with a disability. We are a member of the nationwide Abbeyfield Society which provides support, guidance and training when required.
An Lac House is also a focus for the wider Vietnamese Community, organising regular cultural, religious and social events, hosting visits by Vietnamese from other cities, and offering drop-in events for guests from the local community. It is very much a place for all things Vietnamese, and is the only service of its kind in the UK.
What are we looking for?
The positions are voluntary and therefore not paid, but do guarantee the personal rewards of enabling the charity to remain on a steady financial course, and helping it to fulfil its potential for development and growth.
The following qualities and experience are required:
- understanding of the responsibilities of a charity trustee in line with the Charity Commission’s rules (further information available on request)
- understanding either of the charity sector or of public-sector care, housing and benefits
- commitment to a collaborative way of working with the other Trustees, who come from different backgrounds and bring with them a broad range of skills, experience and expertise: decision-making is done collectively and with the consent of the other Trustees.
The following are desirable but not essential:
- good written and spoken English (some ability in Vietnamese would also be an advantage)
- interest in Vietnamese culture and customs
- excellent interpersonal skills and compassion
- a degree of flexibility in your schedule, to respond to issues as they arise.
We are looking for enthusiastic people with the right qualities to help steer An Lac House towards a bright future over the coming years. Candidates who can offer experience in one of the following areas would be particularly welcome: human resources, marketing & publicity, fundraising, operations management or financial & strategic planning. We also require a new Secretary of the Board.
What difference will you make?
Until last year, the charity operated as a community benefit society called Abbeyfield Cambridgeshire Vietnamese Society, which was established in 1993. Abbeyfield An Lac Community is governed by a Board of Trustees, which has both Vietnamese and English members. The House has an excellent team of four part-time staff who are accountable to the Board, which offers supervision and guidance.