The Hospice of St Francis is appealing to residents in the St Albans area as it looks to recruit new trustees to join its board.

As a result of planned retirements of a small number of current trustees, the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire based Hospice is looking to recruit up to five new volunteers.

Around 22 per cent of people admitted to the Hospice for inpatient care live in St Albans and Harpenden and the Hospice is particularly keen for the board to include trustees with a connection in these places.

The Board of Trustees currently consists of 12 members from a variety of backgrounds who develop the Hospice’s strategy. Only around 20 per cent of the charity’s costs are met by the NHS, so it needs to raise over £3.5 million a year through its own fundraising and retail activities.

They are looking to recruit trustees, including a GP with an interest in palliative care, a business or commercial lawyer and another who has senior charity experience. The Hospice is also looking for a trustee with business or commercial expertise and another who has senior PR and communications experience.

Jenny Burley, a lawyer from St Albans, who has spent six years as a trustee at the hospice, said: "I originally became involved with the hospice because I had friends who, together with their families, had spoken very highly of the care they had received there and being on the board gave me the opportunity to use my legal skills and expertise to contribute to the development of Hospice strategy.

"I feel very proud to have been involved in shaping the future of an organisation that delivers excellent end of life and supportive care to patients and their families and am pleased that my contribution is really valued by the Hospice. I'd really urge anyone with senior commercial or medical experience to get involved."

The Board of Trustees meets six times a year on a Monday evening, with an annual conference on a Saturday to review strategy and performance. In addition, trustees are asked to serve on Board Committees which involves attending additional meetings throughout the year. The posts are voluntary.

For more information contact Judeth Neville, Company Secretary, on 014428 69556 or Judeth.neville@stfrancis.org.uk.