Trustees

What is a Charity Trustee?

Trustees are volunteers with big responsibilities, but being a trustee is an incredibly rewarding way to make a difference to a cause you believe in.

If you like the idea of having a role in decision making for a charity and feel that your skills might be useful at Board level, you might like to consider taking on a Trustee role.

It’s an opportunity to use your professional skills and life experiences to make an impact on an organisation.

 

What do Trustees do?

Trustee boards have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity. They are responsible for ensuring that it is solvent, well-run and meets the purpose for which it has been set up.

Individuals with all kinds of skills can sit on a trustee board – from trained accountants and lawyers to experienced parents or carers.  Some charities look for professional expertise, such as in finance, fundraising or IT, but you don’t need to be a specialist to be valuable. Fresh perspective, commitment and some common sense are some of the most valuable things a trustee can bring. The best boards are made up of a wide variety of motivated people, all of whom share a common interest in the charity’s services and success.

In larger charities, trustees support and challenge the management team, whereas in smaller charities they are likely to have more hands-on involvement.

Depending on the size of the charity, trustees will usually meet formally four to eight times a year, so it’s an eminently doable role for someone who is working full-time.

 

Finding a trustee role:

Get started by contacting your local Volunteer Centre to find trustee roles in your local area.

 

Further information about becoming a trustee is available here:

 

Read about the experiences of a local trustee: