Volunteering can be incredibly rewarding, and there are many ways to give your time to a good cause. One of the most impactful ways to get involved is by becoming a charity trustee.
This week, in support of Volunteers’ Week and the Big Help Out, we are shining a light on charity trusteeship – an important and rewarding form of volunteering that helps charities make good decisions and create lasting impact.
If you have ever thought about helping to shape a charity’s future, trusteeship could be a great place to start.
Trustees are the volunteers who lead charities and decide how they are run. You may also hear them described as board members, committee members, directors or governors. Trusteeship is a chance to support a cause you care about while building strategic thinking, leadership and decision-making skills.
What does a charity trustee do?Trustees have overall responsibility for making sure a charity stays true to its purpose, uses its resources well and meets its legal duties. In practice, that means working with other trustees to guide the organisation’s direction, oversee finances, make sound decisions and support good governance.
In England and Wales, you usually need to be 18 or over to be a trustee, although some charitable companies and charitable incorporated organisations allow trustees from age 16.
People from all walks of life can become trustees. Whether you are at the start of your career, in work, retired, or bringing lived experience from your community, your perspective can be valuable. Strong boards benefit from a mix of skills, backgrounds, ages and experiences.
Why consider becoming a trustee? it is a practical way to support a cause you care about and make a positive difference in your community. you can develop valuable skills in leadership, decision-making, problem-solving and governance. it can broaden your perspective and introduce you to new people, sectors and professional networks. many charities are keen to welcome a wider range of voices and experiences to strengthen their boards. Research from the Charity Commission shows some groups remain under-represented on charity boards in England and Wales.If you are interested in learning more, there are plenty of resources to help you understand the role and take your first steps towards becoming a trustee.
You can read more on becoming a charity trustee or look for trustee opportunities by approaching charities directly, or checking volunteering platforms such as Reach Volunteering and Trustees Unlimited.
The Charity Commission also offers practical guidance to help trustees understand their responsibilities and make confident decisions once in the role. If trusteeship sounds like something you would enjoy, this could be the perfect time to explore it further.
https://charitycommission.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/01/what-is-a-trustee-and-how-do-you-become-one/
seen at 10:45, 1 June in Charity Commission.