Become a trustee

Volunteer and join our board of trustees

What does volunteering as a trustee involve?

Trustees have six legal duties, these are to:

1. Make sure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
2. Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law.
3. Act in the charity’s best interests.
4. Manage the charity’s resources responsibly.
5. Act with reasonable care and skill.
6. Make sure the charity is accountable.

What will I get out of it?

This is a hugely rewarding role in which you will play a key part in leading our invigorated and ambitious organisation to deliver tangible, positive outcomes for older people across Oxfordshire. In addition, you will receive:

• Volunteering experience
• Involvement in senior management teams and board activity
• Working with different sets of people
• Specific experience within the different teams
• General management experience
• Annual strategic away day with Trustees and Senior Management Team

Who is this for?

Given the needs of the charity and the skills of the current board members, they are particularly interested in increasing diversity to represent Oxfordshire’s culture and bringing to the board the following skills and experience: digital, social care, legal, marketing and fundraising.

To be considered for this role, you will require the following skills and competencies:

• Commitment to the organisation. 
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Good, independent judgement.
  An understanding and knowledge of good governance.
• Able to work effectively as a member of a team.

What is expected of me?

Trustees are encouraged to use any specific skills, knowledge, or experience to help the charity develop its activities. This may involve: 

• Providing guidance on new initiatives
• Advising or taking the lead on other issues on which the trustee has special expertise
• Increasing public awareness of the work of Age UK Oxfordshire
• Managing the charity’s resources responsibly
• Supporting fundraising at a strategic and practical level

We hold trustee meetings quarterly, they last about 2.5 hours and alternate between in-person in Abingdon and online. In addition, there are two awaydays a year and an AGM. Papers typically require about two hours of reading per meeting.

If you are interested, please email volunteering@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk.