At York Civic Trust we care deeply about the city of York and how it develops as a thriving place to live, work and visit. We seek to add value to the city by promoting heritage to help shape tomorrow. However we are not stuck in the past we engage with contemporary issues to help drive conversations forward. The Civic Trust has just published a Transport Strategy for York (https://yorkcivictrust.co.uk/home/planning/a-transport-strategy-for-york-2022/) to assist the City of York Council in developing a new Local Transport Plan. York must grow and develop economically, socially and culturally and build on the distinctive characteristics that set the city apart.
Practical conservation is important to us and we have rejuvenated heritage projects both large and small from York’s Mansion House to York’s milestones. Looking forward with an eye for development and an ear to the past creates sensitive and contextual design, encourages adaptive reuse and when it is appropriate restoration of buildings, fixtures and places in York.
Fairfax House on Castlegate an independent historic house museum and shop provides a public-facing element to our work and through the lens of the eighteenth century a means of engaging residents and tourists in the character of the city. As a self-supporting charity generating income and ensuring our business is resilient with a secure future is paramount in all the work we do.
Celebrating those people who are from York or who have made an impact on the city is a key part of what we are about. As a Civic Society and working with other groups and organisations this means that we install physical commemorative plaques across the city and over the last two years we have issued virtual (online) plaques to thank those who have helped respond to the recent pandemic.
Engaging young people in imagining a strong future for the city is a priority for the Civic Trust. We have had some success with this in recent years but firmly believe that there is more to be done. Our Charity’s Board of Trustees must reflect the skills and experience needed to help us continue and expand that work.
We are recruiting Board Trustees and would welcome applications that would help us diversify in terms of age profile, skills, experience and background. In particular we are looking for Trustees who have a background in:
Architectural and urban design in an historic city,
Working with and inspiring young people,
Experience of working within small and medium-sized businesses operating in a historic city.
Our organisation relies on time given generously by our fabulous team of volunteers. We particularly need Trustees who understand the volunteer environment with the ability to make our volunteer offering even more attractive.
How to apply
If you feel that you have any of the skills we are looking for, please send your up-to-date CV and a covering letter explaining how you would bring the capabilities we need to our Board to: info@yorkcivictrust.co.uk or by post to:
Andrew Morrison, Chief Executive, York Civic Trust, Fairfax House, 27 Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN
If you have any questions, please contact us at: andrewmorrison@yorkcivictrust.co.uk or write to us at: Andrew Morrison, Chief Executive, York Civic Trust, Fairfax House, 27 Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN
Applications close on Friday 26th August 2022. The Charity’s Enterprise Committee, who oversee nominations within the charity will consider all applications. Candidates will be asked to come for an informal interview over the summer. A recommendation will be made to the Board of Trustees at their September meeting before being presented to the charity’s Annual General Meeting on October 6th 2022.
Please note that as we are a charity, Trustees are not paid and neither do we pay expenses. In addition, Trustees must be, or must become, members of the Charity for the duration of their time as a Trust Board member. If you are currently not a member, you will find an application form on our website: https://yorkcivictrust.co.uk/contact/support-us-become-member/