Can you help?: Trustees needed

Three charities in Glossop are calling on local people to step forward as trustees - helping to guide them as they play an increasingly vital role in the community.

A trustee is someone who sits on a charity’s board and helps make key decisions about how the organisation is run. They set the strategy, ensure things are operating properly and legally, and support the staff and volunteers who deliver services.

Three local charities, Gamesley Community Group, The Bureau, Glossop and Glossopdale Foodbank, say trustees are essential to their work and are encouraging more people to consider the role.

A 'MINI-GLOSSOP' IN GAMESLEY

Gamesley Community Group is currently looking to recruit around three new trustees as it continues to expand its offer.

Strategic Centre Manager Helen Thornhill explained how the centre has grown:

“Gamesley Community Group started as a group to save the community centre when it was facing closure due to council budget cuts. Since then it’s developed into a thriving health and wellbeing hub - like a mini-Glossop in Gamesley.”

She said the aim is to tackle isolation in the area by bringing services closer to residents: “Gamesley is quite isolated. There’s low car ownership and poor public transport, so we’re trying to provide everything people need for day-to-day life, whether that’s debt advice, health appointments, or sport and social activities. It’s about improving wellbeing and bringing pride back into Gamesley.”

Helen added that trustees don’t need formal qualifications: “We want community voice members, and lived experience is really important.”

THE GO-TO PLACE FOR SUPPORT

At The Bureau, which provides health and wellbeing support across Glossop, trustees help steer a broad mix of services.

Operations Manager Lauren Moore said: “We provide a range of services, delivered by both staff and volunteers. We also support other local organisations to flourish, and we’re the go-to place for signposting people to the support they need.”

Lauren said a mix of skills is important at board level: “We are currently specifically seeking a treasurer, someone financially minded who can analyse figures and make sound decisions based on them, but beyond that, HR experience, legal knowledge, an understanding of compliance, risk, marketing, communications, fundraising - all of this is really useful as a trustee. Also, anyone with tech or AI knowledge would be really helpful.”

She added that enthusiasm can be just as important as experience: “If you’re passionate about helping your community, that’s really important too. The calibre of a board has such a huge impact. It’s really motivating when you’ve got people who are knowledgeable and also enthusiastic and ready to roll their sleeves up. It makes a real difference, not just to the work, but to the staff team as well.”

EMERGENCY CAN BE WEEK IN, WEEK OUT

At Glossopdale Foodbank, the need for strong leadership is growing as demand continues.

Manager Liz Kearslake said: “We supply store cupboard food as an emergency provision, but unfortunately ‘emergency’ can be week in, week out nowadays.”

The foodbank operates five days a week across three centres, supported by around 74 volunteers and two part-time staff.

“Our volunteers do everything - collecting stock from supermarkets, making up parcels, delivering to centres, fundraising” she said. “And we don’t just hand food out - we evaluate a person’s situation and signpost them to other essential services, like Citizens Advice.”

Liz used a simple analogy to describe the trustees’ role: “They go out and choose the wallpaper, and the rest of us put it on the walls. We’re the decorators but they tell us what direction to go in.”

Lauren agreed: “Trustees set the framework, and we work within it. Their guidance and leadership is essential.”

RESPONSIBILITY AND IMPACT

Trustees carry legal responsibility for the charity they support.

“It is a very responsible role,” Lauren said. “You are legally responsible for the organisation - things like safeguarding, health and safety, compliance. You have to review reports and understand what’s happening.”

Helen added: “You’re also responsible for keeping the charity buoyant. You need vision and strategy. People are becoming more reliant on charities, so we need trustees who can help drive organisations forward, evolve and grow them.”

TIME COMMITMENT

While the role carries significant responsibility, the time commitment is generally manageable.

Liz explained: “It’s important to understand that it’s not just turning up to meetings - there is some preparation work involved. At the moment, we’re holding monthly subgroup meetings while we review policies and procedures, and typically it’s around an hour for a trustee meeting and maybe an hour for a subgroup, plus preparing a report. So overall, it’s just over a couple of hours a month - manageable even with a busy schedule.”

Lauren added that flexibility is key: “If you want to do more, there’s certainly always opportunity. Larger organisations might only need that couple of hours, but smaller charities may benefit from a bit more support and time.”

She also stressed that people can ease into the role: “You don’t have to jump straight in. You can attend meetings, have conversations, even help in other ways first, until you fully decide that it’s the right fit for you.”

OPEN TO ALL

All three managers emphasised that trusteeship is open to anyone over 18.

“Absolutely anyone who has passion about wanting to help a charity can do it” said Helen. “There’s no obstacle.”

Liz added: “If you’re willing and enthusiastic and have lived experience, which everyone does, you have something to give.”

The recruitment process typically includes informal chats, shadowing opportunities, an interview and training. “We encourage people to question things and really find out if the role is right for them.” said Liz.

Helen said it’s important that potential trustees see the impact of their work: “I want them to come into the centre, see what we do day to day, and understand the reality. Otherwise they’re only seeing the policies and governance side, and not the real difference they’re making to people’s lives.”

For Lauren, that sense of impact is what makes the role worthwhile: “As a trustee you are part of something bigger than yourself. You’re having a positive impact on your community and building a legacy for future generations.”

All three agreed that the message to those considering becoming a trustee is simple:

“Just enquire. Approach any organisation that you feel drawn to - you don’t need to be an expert and you don’t need to have everything figured out. Just start the conversation.”

If you are interested in becoming a trustee contact the charities directly via their Facebook pages above.