The Spanda Trust, a charity in South Devon with two unique venues: Harbour House in the centre of Kingsbridge overlooking the estuary, and Bala Brook on the edge of Dartmoor, is currently seeking to recruit trustees to join its board.
The Trust provides people with space to be themselves and explore who they are in the hope that this will contribute to the re-alignment of humanity and the planet.
Bala Brook is an inclusive, non-denominational residential retreat centre nestling in its own valley on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park, while Harbour House aims to raise awareness of Yoga and Art in the community, and to provide an affordable venue for classes, workshops and exhibitions.
We would be grateful if you could share details of the trustee opportunities detailed below with anyone in your networks who may be interested in finding out more or applying. The deadline for applications is Saturday 10th June 2023. Many thanks to Alison Veazey, Programme Manager at Harbour House, for contacting us with details about this opportunity.
The recruitment advert reads:
THE SPANDA TRUST – RECRUITMMENT OF TRUSTEES
“The Spanda Trust is seeking candidates to join its Board of Trustees as soon as possible.
What is the Trust and what do we do?
“The Spanda Trust is a charitable organisation based in the South Hams, Devon, which runs activities at its two centres at Harbour House, Kingsbridge and Bala Brook, South Brent. The Trust’s mission is to offer dynamic, thoughtful and sometimes challenging creative, cultural and wellbeing activities that inspire and engage. Our aim is for our programme to be locally relevant, artistically diverse and culturally inclusive.
“The Trust has operated for over 25 years, having been established with a generous bequest from our Honorary Life President, Jo Pelly. Her intention was to encourage the people of Kingsbridge and the surrounding area to engage with the arts, yoga and the environment for wellbeing and personal growth, and the current policies of the Trust are the direct successors to her ideas.
“The Trust is currently headed by CEO, Amy Dickson, who manages a staff of six based at Harbour House, a nineteenth-century town house in Kingsbridge and at Bala Brook, near South Brent, on the southern edge of Dartmoor, which is currently in use as a retreat centre. The main activities of the Trust include art, yoga and movement-based activities for well-being and running a vegetarian cafe. At the time of writing, this programme is under radical revision to extend the scope of our work to include more socially-engaged art practice and a new approach to exhibition programming.
“The Trust meets quarterly for formal Board Meetings and currently meets monthly with the CEO for update meetings during this time of transition.
The Current Board
“The current Board comprises Caroline Forcer, who has a background in communications and marketing, Nick Grodhunce, who runs local businesses including property development and Nigel Llewellyn (Chair), an art historian, who has worked in higher education and the arts sector. All the current Trustees live locally to Kingsbridge but applications would be warmly welcomed from prospective trustees based further afield.
Profile
“The current Board has recently assessed what skills and experience will be needed to continue to pursue its new strategic path and fulfil its mission for the people of Kingsbridge and the South Hams. We would be particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates, who are willing to commit the time and dedication that the role requires and who can complement the qualities of the present Board members in the core activities of the Trust and in some of the following specialist areas: Financial Management, Fundraising, Investment Policy, Legal Issues, and Arts Programming.
“The Trust is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we would particularly encourage applications from ethnic backgrounds, people from the LGBTQ+ community, younger people and people with disabilities.
More Information
“The current activities of the Trust are described in more detail on the following websites:
https://harbourhouse.org.uk/index.shtml
https://www.balabrook.org.uk
“Past annual reports on the Charity Commission website can be found at hhtps://register-of-charities.charity commission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5105562/charity-overview
For additional information please contact Alison Veazey, Harbour House, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1JD, phone: 01548 854708 or email alison@harbourhouse.org.uk
If you are interested in discussing the role or your potential application, please contact Amy Dickson, CEO Spanda Trust and Director, Harbour House on info@harbourhouse.org.uk.
How to apply
“Applications should take the form of a CV including the names and contact details of two referees. There should also be a covering letter describing what you hope to bring to the Trust and setting out your reasons for wanting to get involved with our work. Applications should be made by email to recruitment@harbourhouse.org.uk
“Applications should be received no later than Saturday 10th June 2023.
“Interviews for short-listed candidates will take place at Harbour House, Kingsbridge by the end of June 2023.”
Images: the Spanda Trust logo, Harbour House in Kingsbridge and Bala Brook on the southern edge of Dartmoor, Devon.