Chelsea and Fulham MP, Greg Hands, is joining with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) in celebrating the contribution that trustees make as part of Trustees’ Week, which begins on Monday 10 November 2014.
Hundreds of events will be taking place this week as charities use Trustees’ Week as a time to thank the one million trustees across England and Wales for their time and dedication.
There are 351 voluntary organisations in Chelsea and Fulham that all rely on the dedication, energy and commitment of c. 1,700 trustees in order to support their beneficiaries. Trustees are the people ultimately in charge of a charity. They make decisions that help charities achieve their aims and change their beneficiaries’ lives.
Trustees’ Week is also a time to encourage more people to become trustees, as many voluntary organisations find it difficult to recruit new trustees. As many as one in five charities are looking for a new trustee.
Local MP Greg Hands said: “I am delighted to support the NCVO in celebrating Trustee’s Week. I am a trustee myself, at the Brunswick Club for Young People in Fulham, and have been so since 2003. I would like to extend my thanks to other local residents who work as trustees in other charities, who do a tremendous amount of good work in Chelsea and Fulham.”
Being a trustee allows you not only to make a difference to the lives of others, but to learn new skills, meet different people, and develop your career. Voluntary organisations are always looking for a range of skills and different backgrounds on their boards, as well as more young people.
Greg added: “Serving as a trustee is a fantastic way to give back to your community and is very rewarding. I would encourage residents to come along to some of NCVO’s events this week and find out for themselves.”
You can find out more about trustee vacancies in your local area through the NCVO’s Trustee Bank, Charity Job and Do It.
Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “Trustees’ Week is a great opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate trustees and the valuable contribution they make to our society. They play a vital role, volunteering their time and working together to make important decisions about the charity's work. Good governance is at the very heart of an effective charity.”