Call for Bucks residents to help charities survive COVID pandemic
Trustees’ Week highlights need for board volunteers on Bucks charity boards
Community Impact Bucks is calling for people in Buckinghamshire to put their skills and knowledge to good use by volunteering on a charity board, helping to make important decisions about how the organisation works and ensuring it meets the needs of its beneficiaries.
Board volunteers – also known as trustees, committee members, directors or governors – play a vital role in voluntary organisations: they have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it is doing what it was set up to do. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, charities need strong boards more than ever before and the unique skills of each trustee could help these organisations navigate successfully through these difficult times.
There are an estimated 100,000 trustee vacancies in the UK* and, as part of national Trustees’ Week 2020 (2-6 November 2020), Bucks residents are being encouraged to volunteer on the boards of our local charities, community groups and social enterprises. People can find out what a trustee role involves and the latest trustee vacancies in the county by visiting our Become a trustee.
For anyone who is furloughed or has recently been made redundant, volunteering on a charity board has many proven benefits including an opportunity to develop leadership skills and build confidence. Recent research** found that a trustee role helped:
- 96% of trustees learn new skills
- 73% of trustees improve their confidence
- 22% of trustees get promoted
“Trustees come from all walks of life, backgrounds and life stage. While some roles may need specific skills such as experience of finance, HR or marketing, many just need your lived experience and enthusiasm,” commented Mimi Harker OBE, Chairman of Community Impact Bucks, and founder and chairman of the Buckinghamshire’s Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Network. “A diverse range of individuals can make a board or committee stronger and more effective: if you think you would benefit from applying your knowledge in a different sector whilst making a real difference to a charity, there are many board volunteer opportunities to choose from.”
To read about the experiences of some trustees in Buckinghamshire, go to our case studies webpage (and select trustees button) and watch our video.
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For any media enquiries, please contact Rachel Fisher at Community Impact Bucks: rachel@communityimpactbucks.org.uk/ 01844 617216
Notes:
- Community Impact Bucks is an independent charity that supports people and groups to get involved and make a difference in Buckinghamshire communities. We offer expert advice and training, help people to find volunteering opportunities, and help charities and not for profit groups to get started, be effective and grow.
- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Impact Bucks has brought together a range of advice and guidance to support the voluntary sector, is in dialogue with local partners and national voluntary sector bodies and is sharing information, knowledge, and ideas as changes unfold.
- Trustees’ Week is an annual event which showcases the great work that trustees do and highlight opportunities for people from all walks of life to get involved and make a difference.
- *How to Become a Trustee: A Practical Guide, Lynn Cadman, Getting on Board
- ** The Looming Crisis in Charity Trustee Recruitment, Getting on Board research report
