Trustees Week is an annual campaign in the United Kingdom that aims to raise awareness about the importance of trustees and the valuable contributions they make to charities and non-profit organisations. It is a week-long celebration that highlights the vital role trustees play in providing leadership, guidance, and governance to the charity sector.  

Throughout the week, we will be celebrating and promoting the work of the trustees, who volunteer their time to support the charities in Watford and Three Rivers and with increased awareness of trusteeship, you might be interesting in becoming a trustee. We want to give you a chance to find out more about being a trustee and if you think it is right for you, how you can find trustee roles within our communities. 

What are Trustees?

A trustee is an individual who serves on the board of trustees of a charitable organisation. They may also be referred to as directors, governors, or board members. Trustees are typically volunteers and are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the organisation. Trustees play a vital role in the effective governance and oversight of charitable organisations. Their responsibilities encompass strategic planning, legal and financial compliance, risk management, staff support, and fundraising. By fulfilling their duties, trustees contribute to the success and positive impact of these organisations. Whether you are a current or prospective trustee, understanding your roles and responsibilities is essential for making a meaningful contribution to the charitable sector.

Therefore, being a trustee is a serious responsibility, but it is also a very rewarding role that allows you to support organisations providing vital services to the community. You can find out more about being a trustee, roles and responsibilities by clicking here.

Who can be a Trustee?

Most people can become trustees. Trustees generally need to be over the age of 18, or over the age of 16 in certain circumstances.

You cannot be a trustee if you have been previously disqualified as a trustee or company director, be an undischarged bankrupt or have certain unspent criminal convictions. In addition, some organisations have their own restrictions over who can be a trustee.

What skills do I need to be a Trustee?

Depending on your specific role within a charity trustee board, you may need specific skills, however all trustees demonstrate values such as honesty and integrity. It is essential to have genuine interest in the organisation's mission and a commitment to making a positive impact as a trustee. With a right combination of skills and a passion for the cause, you can contribute meaningfully to the success of the organisation you serve. 

In addition, specific skills such as financial knowledge, legal skills, communications and interpersonal skills, decision making, ethical awareness, integrity, leadership, teamwork, inquisitiveness and a willingness to learn or other technical or professional expertise maybe useful, depending on the needs of the charity.

I’m keen to get involved, how can I find trustees roles?

If you are already passionate about a specific charity or a cause, we would recommend finding charities in your local area who work in this area? Most charities are always looking for new trustees or would be grateful to have your details if they don’t need trustees in their immediate future.

If you don’t know of any local organisations looking for trustees or you are looking to use your specific skill set to support any charity, we recommend you use online platforms such as Golden Volunteer or Go Vol Herts. Both platforms are designed to allow you to find trustees roles whether they be in Watford, Three Rivers or across the wider county and we are working with local organisations to add trustee roles onto the platforms when they have vacancies.