Royston Volunteer Centre manager Denise Graham spotlights the role of unsung heroes in the community

We’ve just seen the fifth annual celebration of trusteeship which is organised by the Charity Commission in partnership with a number of other organisations to highlight the great work that trustees do.

The week also helps to draw attention to the opportunities for people from all walks of life to get involved and make a real difference.

Trustees are the people who volunteer to manage a charity.

They may be called different things in different organisations – trustees, directors, board members, governors or committee members – but they are the people with ultimate responsibility for directing the business of the organisation.

They are often the unsung heroes, playing a vital role, volunteering their time and working together to make the decisions that really matter about the charity’s finances, activities and plans for the future.

People often become trustees to give something back, but there is a two-way benefit – charities benefit from the range of skills and experience that their trustees bring, but trustees can learn and develop new skills that may open up new opportunities for them, as well as meeting people who share their passion.

North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald took the opportunity of Trustees’ Week, which ended on Sunday, to thank the trustees of the 342 voluntary organisations in his constituency, all of which rely on the dedication, energy and commitment of around 1,700 trustees in order to support their beneficiaries.

I would like to echo this thanks and say that most people have skills, knowledge or experience which they can bring to a charity and no formal qualifications are usually needed.

We have details of many trustee opportunities in local charities registered with us at the Volunteer Centre so please get in touch to find out more.

You can call the Royston & District Volunteer Centre on 01763 243020 – our offices are in the Royston Town Hall Annexe, Melbourn Street, Royston, SG8 7DA. You can send us an email at info@roystonvolunteer.org.uk or visit the website at www.roystonvolunteer.org.uk