Trustee

​The Yorkshire Miners’ Welfare Trust Fund provides grants to individuals, charities and other not-for-profit constituted groups and organisations who deliver charitable purpose within former mining communities in Yorkshire. The specific beneficiary group is identified within the charity’s trust deed however the trustees can use their discretion to consider a wide range of projects.

Examples of projects supported by the Trust Fund include:

· Grants to clients referred by the CISWO personal welfare team (e.g. mobility scooters, stair lifts)

· Contributions to miners’ welfare charities and other community groups to support development projects.

· Sports equipment for teams/clubs within miners’ welfare charities.

· Social inclusion initiatives

· Support for convalescence provision.

· Small educational grants.

The Trustees are responsible for:

· Ensuring that they comply the charity’s governing document and apply the funds within the scope of the charitable objects which are the promotion of health; the relief of poverty and hardship; the advancement of education.

· Scrutinising and making decisions on grant applications. Such applications are received by the trust fund Secretary and presented in the meeting papers for discussion.

· Ensuring the charity’s funds are managed appropriately by the investment fund managers.

· Acting in the best interests of the charity at all times and addressing any conflicts of interest that may arise.

The Trustee body is made up of a maximum of 11 trustees who are appointed through a nomination process and the appointments are made on a 5 year term.

Meetings happen 4 times per year on a quarterly basis and normally take place at Thornycroft Centre in Pontefract on a Wednesday at 10am until approximately 1pm. Expenses are reimbursed upon request.

Trustees are supported by an appointed Secretary who is an employee of CISWO. They provide guidance and assistance in relation to the governance and overall management of the charity.

The current trustees bring a wealth of experience predominantly as former mining industry employees or working within former mining communities. The Trust Fund is currently recruiting to a vacancy for one of its ‘independent’ trustees who should not have any connections as a former employee in the industry but who brings suitable and relevant experience to the work of the trust fund.

The trust fund is seeking a trustee with a background in accounting or good acumen in this area. More broadly, the trust fund would benefit from having trustees with skills or experience in grant giving, the charity/third sector, the health and social care sector, and community development. An understanding of the issues facing former coal industry employees and those in former mining communities would be an advantage but it is not essential.

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