Trustees’ Week: Our tribute to purpose-driven leadership

What does a trustee do?

Trustees are the champions of charitable governance, generously volunteering their time and expertise to help charities thrive. They play a pivotal role in ensuring organisations stay true to their founding purpose, delivering both immediate impact and long-term vision for the public good.

Through a deep understanding of the charity’s mission and the needs of its beneficiaries, trustees offer invaluable insight, challenge and guidance. Their contributions help shape strategic decisions, ensure resources are used wisely, and uphold statutory responsibilities.

By sharing collective responsibility for board decisions, trustees bring a rich diversity of experience and perspective. This enables charities to benefit from a broad pool of committed individuals who offer regular support without the need for full-time involvement — a powerful model of civic engagement and leadership.

Therefore, a trusteeship is an option that most adults could consider.

According to a study by BMG research conducted across a sample of charities in August 2024 on behalf of the think tank Pro Bono Employment (PBE) and the Charities Commission, over half of the trustees were found to be retired individuals. A more recent survey conducted by an insurance firm, Ecclesiastical, in November 2024, found that two in five 18-24 year olds stated that they would be interested in joining a charity board.

In an evolving world, it is important for charities to be aware of emerging risks and opportunities, which can be catered for by a wide range of age groups, demographics, experiences and expertise, which also contributes to a strong board of trustees. When trustees bring varied perspectives to the table, they enrich decision-making, challenge assumptions, and reflect the communities they serve more authentically.

Trustee contributions in todays environment

In today’s environment, trustees find themselves navigating increasingly complex challenges – including financial instability, rising operational costs, and safeguarding and digital risks. While the role remains unpaid, the expectations placed on trustees have grown significantly, requiring resilience, adaptability and a strong sense of purpose.

Resilience is key. Trustees are not expected to have all the answers, but they do need access to training, peer support and professional advice to help them steer their organisations through uncertainty. This is especially important for those trustees who undertake this role in addition to their day-to-day job, where time commitment can be challenging.

Due to the volunteering aspect of being a trustee, recruitment of trustees is a challenge for many organisations, with boards often struggling to attract individuals with the right mix of skills, experience and time.

Despite this, trusteeship remains a deeply rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As we look ahead, the sector’s resilience will be shaped by the dedication of trustees who bring their time, expertise and passion to the causes they care about.

Why should you consider becoming a trustee?

There are over 900,000 trustees in the UK for 170,000 charities, but there is always a need for more. Research by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) in 2024, surveying 294 voluntary sector organisations, found 79% of respondents had at least one vacant board position and 8% had at least four. 35% of vacancies were open for over a year. Charities struggle to effectively function without a full complement of trustees, and the impact is greatest among smaller organisations who may not have full time employees.

A trusteeship allows you to work as part of a team to support the functioning of a charity. Donating your time to a cause which is important to you can lead to a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction.

You can contribute your time in a way that builds upon your professional and life experience, while supporting a cause you are passionate about.

Becoming a trustee is a sustained commitment to giving back to the community. As we enter National Trustees Week, there could not be a better time to consider becoming a trustee yourself.

You do not need any prior experience to become a trustee, just a commitment to learn and spend time supporting a charity.