The Power of Trustees: Make a Real Difference
In a typical month, 58% of British adults make a charitable donation.
But have you ever considered giving your time and skills too?
This week, as we celebrate #TrusteesWeek, charities across the nation are encouraging us to consider getting on board... their board!
What is a Trustee
Trustees are the people in charge of a charity, volunteering their time and skills to make important decisions about how the charity operates and achieves its goals.
What Does a Trustee Do
It is a trustee's responsibility to:
Make sure the charity is carrying out its intended purposes — and no other.
Ensure compliance with its governing document, charity law, and other applicable laws.
Act in the charity's best interests.
Manage the charity's resources responsibly.
Act with reasonable care and skill.
Ensure that the charity is accountable.
A trustee generally needs the flexibility to attend a meeting every month or so. Discuss time commitments, meeting frequency, and expectations before you commit.
Further details can be found in The Essential Trustee Guide.
Who Are Trustees
There are around 194,000 charities in the UK and over 1 million trustees.
Trustees must be at least 18 (or 16 for a charitable company or CIO).
Those disqualified as directors, declared bankrupt, or convicted of dishonesty or fraud are not eligible.
The average trustee in England and Wales is 59 years old (55 in Northern Ireland).
While the experience of older trustees is invaluable, there are also 86,000 trustees aged 16–34, bringing energy, diversity, and fresh perspectives.
Boards work best when they include a mix of skills, experiences, and backgrounds — from business knowledge to creativity and community insight.
Why Be a Trustee
Becoming a trustee is both rewarding and enriching. It allows you to:
Contribute to a cause that matters to you.
Gain new experiences, skills, and development opportunities.
Meet and collaborate with diverse, inspiring people.
Make a real difference in your community.
What Risks Does Being a Trustee Carry
We’re strong advocates for taking on trustee roles — but it’s vital to understand the legal responsibilities involved.
If the organisation is unincorporated, trustees can be personally liable for its debts if it winds up.
If it is incorporated, liability usually rests with the organisation itself.
Trustees can also be sued individually for wrongful acts — but this risk can be transferred via a Trustees Indemnity Insurance policy.
Read more in our Trustees Indemnity blog.
Need guidance? Get in touch for free, impartial advice on understanding and managing your specific risks.
How Can I Become a Trustee
Charities are constantly looking for new trustees — you’ll find opportunities everywhere!
You can start by:
Checking posts on social media (like this one from Beauty of Rwanda)
Browsing vacancies via Trustees Week
If you don’t feel ready now, set yourself a 1-, 2-, or 5-year goal to build towards joining a board in the future.
Your Turn
Are you a trustee? We’d love to hear your story and why you’d recommend it to others.
Let’s keep inspiring one another to give our time, skills, and experience to strengthen our communities.
