Role of Trustee

For me, being a trustee is more than attending meetings and supporting team members with decisions and direction; it is about helping to shape an organisation that can make a genuine difference to people’s lives. 

I’ve known about FutureworksNY, based in Scarborough, for many years. It started as a Community Interest Company and is now a charity. 

As well as their ‘HQ’ in Victoria Road in the seaside town, the team also has a retail showroom, Furniture Works in St Thomas Street. 

The proceeds from the shop go towards the amazing work of the Futureworks team. 

For a charity supporting young people and adults through education, as trustees we have an important role in ensuring that the organisation stays focused on its charitable purpose and continues to provide meaningful opportunities for the people it supports. 

Trustees work collectively to help with direction, oversee finances, manage risk and make sure the charity is being run effectively and responsibly. 

As the team at Futureworks NY do all this and more in a professional and positive way, the role of the trustee becomes even more enjoyable and rewarding. 

There is also an important legal side to the role. Trustees must act in the charity’s best interests, comply with its governing document and the law, use the charity’s monies, funding and resources responsibly, and exercise reasonable care and skill. 

As trustees, we are also responsible for ensuring that the charity remains accountable and meets its reporting and accounting obligations. 

Because the charity works with young people and adults, safeguarding is particularly important. 

Trustees have responsibility for making sure appropriate safeguarding policies, procedures, training and checks are in place, even when day-to-day safeguarding is delegated to staff or a safeguarding lead. 

What I find most rewarding about trusteeship is knowing that the decisions made ‘around the table’ can have a real impact. 

I’ve also been pushed out of my ‘comfort zone’ at times by helping with fundraising, attending fundraising events and even selling raffle tickets! 

We have regular meetings with Michelle and Sarah, meetings which have been meticulously prepared, so we cover all bases and also have time to think of ways we can support the team and the charity. 

Our meetings are an opportunity to listen, ask questions, contribute experience and help create a charity that is safe, well governed and focused on improving lives through education. 

Being a trustee is ultimately about giving time, care and commitment to something that matters. 

Faith Young, Trustee.