This year more than ever is an exciting time to join our board as we celebrate our 85th year. LifeCare was originally founded in 1941 by three trailblazing women and was one of the first such organisations to be created in Scotland. Since then, LifeCare has seen a lot of growth and innovation; however, tackling loneliness has remained at the heart of everything we do since day one. Read our strategy here.
Today, LifeCare has 2 day clubs, its Outreach and Help as Home services, Meals on Wheels, a thriving community centre with free carers’ classes and a growing number of community events and activities. Last year we supported 1,140 people to live well and stay independent, with 84% of our clients being over the age of 70 and 81% living alone. You can read our full 2025/2026 Impact Report here.
Our fantastic Trustees play three main roles within the organisation – Strategy, Governance and Risk.
STRATEGY – You will support the team in delivering our new strategy, helping to create responses to stakeholder feedback and encouraging our growth.
GOVERNANCE – You will collaborate as a board to ensure the charity is compliant with governance and charity law requirements.
RISK – You will be the critical friend that helps the charity to assess, understand and embrace healthy risk within the operations and planning of the organisation.
“After a long career in the NHS, becoming a LifeCare Trustee felt like a natural way to continue supporting peoples’ health, wellbeing and independence. I feel I bring experience in strategy and governance, whilst helping to support LifeCare to turn good ideas into practical action for older people, their families and carers” – Lorna, current Chair “I was interested in the role as it is helping older people and there are very few charities who do this work and especially as well as you do it. I enjoy bringing my skills and knowledge to the organisation and being able to share that strategically but to also learn from others and be part of a team” – Karen, Trustee
If you would be interested, we would love to hear from you. Send a short summary of your background and why you’re interested in the role to sarahvanputten@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk.
If you would like an informal chat with Lorna, our current Chair, feel free to contact her on lornajacksonhall@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk
CAN I APPLY IF I DON’T HAVE EXPERIENCE AS A TRUSTEE? Yes! We welcome applications from anyone who aligns with our values, is reliable and has a passion for supporting our work! Our training and induction will help anyone new to the role!
WILL MEETINGS AND CONVERSATIONS BE IN ACCESSIBLE SPACES? Yes! We have lots of experience in arranging activities and events in spaces that are accessible.
WILL MY EXPENSES BE COVERED? Yes! Although being a trustee is a voluntary role and not paid, we ensure that all trustee expenses such as transport are reimbursed.
IF I USE LIFECARE’S SERVICES OR HUB CAN I APPLY? Yes! If you are 18 or over, we welcome applications from anyone within or out with our community. One thing to note is that trustees don’t get involved in day to day planning of activities, services or events, and are more focused on Governance, Finance and Strategy. – If you are interested in having a say in our day to day planning and service delivery then our advisory group may be of interest to you: contact shalininampally@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk
DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN EDINBURGH? No! We welcome applications from potential trustees who live anywhere. However, there is a requirement to come to an in-person board meeting in Edinburgh once a quarter and to visit our services or hub at least once per year to see the work in action and meet the teams. In addition, most trustees also attend a subgroup approximately every two months and these are normally online or can be hybrid, lasting around 1 hour.
HOW DO I KNOW I WILL BE CONSIDERED FAIRLY? We actively encourage those without trustee experience to apply. Large format and print copies of all forms and information can be made available. Alongside this we give fair and open feedback to anyone who is not successful in being shortlisted – and are very open to feedback ourselves!
