I WANT TO BE A TRUSTEE
The Go Volunteer Glos guide to becoming a Trustee
Over 9,000 people volunteer as Trustees in Gloucestershire, supporting more than 1,800 charities. There’s a constant need to recruit talented and enthusiastic people to help shape the direction of a charity here in Gloucestershire or beyond. So why couldn’t one of those people be you?
Trustees lead charitable organisations. Their role is vital and stimulating, working closely with the Chief Executive to set the strategic direction and ensure the charity is not only reaching its goals, but is forward-thinking and running as efficiently as possible.
Let’s take a closer look at what it really means to be a Trustee… it may be the perfect position for you!
For more detail about what a charity is, see here (The Good Trustee Guide – What is a Charity).
For a detailed overview of the whole process, see here (How to become a Charity Trustee Guide).
What is a Trustee?
A Trustee is a volunteer who serves on the governing body of a charity; sometimes called the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors, or the Board etc. They are collectively responsible for the general running of the organisation. As the role is voluntary, it’s not generally a paid position (although many charities will pay things like travel or other expenses). But, it’s also not a full-time job. Most Board of Trustees meet monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly, in person and/or online. That means you can pursue Trustee positions at several charities and easily do it alongside your regular daytime activities and/or employment… potentially without even leaving home!
Because the Board of Trustees is responsible for such a broad overview of the organisation, most seek to recruit people with a range of different expertise, skills, backgrounds and experiences; for example, business management, human resources, finance, and legal expertise or work/life experience related to the work of the organisation.
What do Trustees do?
First and foremost, Trustees make the crucial decisions. They have oversight of the charity’s activities, funds, and future – in other words, they are in charge of the charity’s affairs.
Some of these responsibilities can include:
- Helping the Chief Executive lead the organisation
- Contributing skills and expertise to an important cause
- Leading the strategic development of the organisation
- Making sure the charity is delivering on their goals
- Looking after the organisation’s finances
- Taking care of the charity’s assets (e.g. property).
What are a Trustee’s responsibilities?
Charity Trustees have six legal duties:
- Ensure a charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
- Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law
- Act in the charity’s best interests
- Manage the charity’s resources responsibly
- Act with reasonable care and skill
- Ensure the charity is accountable.
These are fully explained in the Charity Commission’s guidance CC3 – The Essential Trustee: What you need to know, what you need to do.
Why become a Trustee?
Becoming a Trustee is both a rewarding way to help the causes you care about and/or your community and a way to learn fantastic new skills. It’s an invigorating and dynamic role, which puts you at the very heart of a charity and its work, alongside a team of like-minded people.
There’s a lot you can gain from becoming a Trustee. For example:
- Learn new skills, such as decision making, negotiation and influencing, thinking strategically, managing relationships and partnerships
- It is good for your wellbeing – volunteering can boost your mental and physical health, and help you grow your confidence
- Provide opportunities to go beyond what you do in your day job and home life
- Build your understanding of the challenges and experiences that others face
- The benefits of an experiential learning environment – by learning ‘on the job’, you get access to a unique training experience whilst at the same time giving something back
- It can be a great springboard to a non-executive directorship and other kinds of board positions.
Being a Trustee offers you the opportunity to shape, and be a part of, making real change – just think about how rewarding it is when you actually see your work yielding positive results for a cause you care about!
Who can become a Trustee?
ALMOST ANYONE can volunteer to be a Trustee, regardless of how junior or senior you are in your career, whether you are in paid employment or not, regardless of your ethnicity, class, gender orientation, sexuality, or any other difference. Boards of Trustees thrive on diversity and need a mix of all the different groups within society to deliver robust governance and fulfil a charity’s mission
On-going training for Trustees
Many charities will offer initial and on-going relevant training to support their Trustees in carrying out their duties. You can also access free online training modules for both new Trustees and those wanting to refresh their skills
How do I find Trustee Positions?
The best way is right here on Go Volunteer Glos
There are other ways of finding Trustee vacancies here in Gloucestershire and across the country, including:
Specialist Trustee Finder websites:
Professional bodies – for example:
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has its own volunteer website for finance professionals and advertises Trustee roles;
- The Media Trust enables charities to post voluntary roles for free for communications professionals
And you can:
- Search in Google: Type in Trustee+job+[your location] or Trustee+job+[the charitable cause in which you are interested] and it will ‘mine’ trustee vacancies from the websites above, as well as others. Just scroll down past the paid advertisement results and see the roles in the blue section headed ‘Jobs’
- Follow individual charity social media posts
- Look at charity newsletters or e-bulletins
- Speak to recruitment agencies that specialise in Trustee recruitment
- Check local noticeboards and newspapers
- Proactively contact a charity that isn’t currently openly advertising to make a speculative approach
Current Trustee Opportunities
Ongoing role · Flexible hours
Marketing, PR, Fundraising Trustee
Gloucester Foodbank is recruiting a Trustee with Marketing, PR and Fundraising experience. Help shape our future and make a difference locally!
Posted by Gloucester Foodbank
Ongoing role · Flexible hours
Chair for Stroud based refugee support charity
Stroud charity providing respite breaks to people seeking asylum, refugees, and victims of trafficking seeks a new Chair who shares our vision
Posted by Sanctuary Breaks
Ongoing role · Flexible hours
Flexible location
Trustee
Could You Help Support Local Scouting? We're looking for new Trustees to join our Scout Group and help ensure we can continue providing amazing opportunities
Posted by 2nd Mitcheldean Scout Group
Ongoing role · 2—4 hrs/month
Trustees Needed!
Create bright futures with Aim Up. We’re looking for passionate trustees to make a change. Meet once a month; law, finance or fundraising experience is a bonus!
Posted by Aim Up
Ongoing role · Flexible hours
Treasurer/Finance Lead
Gloucester Foodbank seeks a volunteer Treasurer/Finance Lead (5–10 hrs/month). Apply by 6 November 2026.
Posted by Gloucester Foodbank
Ongoing role · Flexible hours
Trustee Position - Rush Skatepark
### RUSH Skatepark – Trustee Recruitment RUSH Skatepark is looking for **1–3 new trustees** to join our charity board as we work towards bringing RUSH back to
Posted by rush sports community trust
Ongoing role · 3—5 hrs/month
Cirencester Abbey
Governor for Down Ampney C of E Primary school
Become a Governor at Down Ampney C of E Primary School Are you passionate about education and community engagement? Do you have skills and experiences
Posted by Corinium Education Trust
Ongoing role · Flexible hours
Trustee / School Governor - Abbey View AP School
Join CCT Learning as a Trustee and help shape the future of Abbey View, supporting young people who need something different from mainstream education.
Posted by CCT Learning | Abbey View SchoolOngoing role · Flexible hours
Treasurer for Stroud-based refugee-support charity
Sanctuary Breaks is looking for a hands on and committed Treasurer to be an active member of our friendly team and help take our young charity forward
Posted by Sanctuary BreaksOngoing role · Flexible hours
Trustees for refugee-support charity
Visionary local charity providing respite breaks to people seeking asylum, refugees & victims of trafficking & Torture - seeks creative and committed Trustees
Posted by Sanctuary Breaks
Ongoing role · Flexible hours · Starting from 5 Nov 2026
Tewkesbury
Treasurer
Help Tewkesbury Access Forum. We need a local Treasurer for light online banking and simple finances. Flexible and manageable.
Posted by Tewkesbury Access ForumReady to be a Trustee?
Search for the largest and widest choice of local opportunities!
Search for the largest and widest choice of local opportunities!