TrusteeNHS

Job summary

Help Shape the Future of Children's Hospice South West

Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) provides expert care and support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families, across the South West.

This is an opportunity to contribute your skills and experience to this respected, regional charity that makes an incredible difference to the lives of children and families when they need it most. As we continue to develop and then deliver our ambitious Reach Further strategy, we are seeking exceptional individuals to join our Board of Trustees and help guide the charity through its next chapter.

The Opportunity

Our Trustees play a vital role in:

• Providing strategic oversight
• Ensuring the charity is well governed and financially sustainable.
• Supporting delivery of our vision and long-term strategy.
• Acting as ambassadors for CHSW across our communities and networks.
• Bringing constructive challenge, expertise and fresh perspectives.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and representative Board and welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. Previous trustee experience is welcomed but not essential.

Main duties of the job

Skills and Experience Sought

To compliment the skills mix of our current Board, we welcome applications from people who can bring expertise in one or more of the following priority areas identified through our recent Board Skills Review and succession planning process:

• Finance, audit and risk management
• Legal (any relevant background charities, employment, commercial, healthcare, property)
• People and Culture, including workforce planning and equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging

We would also welcome additional experience in:

• Children's healthcare, paediatric care, safeguarding or children's services
• Income Generation - e.g. Fundraising, retail, marketing, communications
• Digital innovation, AI, cyber security, technology or data governance
• Commercial leadership
• Property, facilities or estates management
• Charity governance and regulation
• Public sector, health or social care leadership

We are particularly keen to hear from people whose professional expertise is complemented by lived experience, helping us ensure that the voices of children, young people and families remain at the heart of all we do.

Job description

Please see attached Role Descriptor and Recruitment Brochure for full details of the role and being a trustee with CHSW.

About us

An established and successful charity, Childrens Hospice South West (CHSW) provides hospice care for children with life limiting conditions and their families in the South West of England

We are looking for individuals who share our passion for delivering our service and securing the funds to do so, and whose skills, experience and expertise can add value to the Charity.

Usual expectations/ Time Commitments:

• AGM and Strategy Day: 1 per year, full-day, in person
• Board Meetings: 4 per year, half-day, in-person, around Exeter/Tiverton.
• Subcommittees (sit on one or more): 2 to 4 times per year per committee, 2 to 3 hours, online or in person.
• Time to read papers and provide annotations/comment prior to meetings
• Invited to attend some fundraising and other events (no expectation - personal choice)

If you would like an informal chat about being a trustee with us, please email [email protected] to arrange.

Closing Date: 04 October 2026

First Stage Selection: 14/15 October 2026 (virtual meeting)

Final Selection Day: 21 October 2026 (face to face Charlton Farm - Bristol)

For successful appointments we would be delighted to have you join our AGM and Strategy Day on the 02 November 2026 (the ability to attend the AGM is not a factor in the appointment process)