Trustee role (voluntary)

Trustees are responsible for guiding and governing Citizens Advice Wigan Borough (CAWB), ensuring that we fulfill our purpose and operate effectively and that we’re complying with laws and regulations. Trustees work with the Chief Officer to shape the strategy and direction of our charity.

Key responsibilities of CAWB Trustees:

  • Engage with the trustee induction process

  • Complete training as required, in order to comply with Citizens Advice and statutory requirementsContribute to setting policy and our strategic direction and ensure CAWB meets the needs of our local community

  • Monitor the financial position of CAWB ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, and that all financial controls are in place and complied with to safeguard the organisation’s resources

  • Ensure that funds are used appropriately and responsibly and hold overall responsibility for staff and volunteers

  • Ensure compliance with legal and statutory requirements

  • Regularly review risks and mitigations

  • Monitor CAWB’s performance and ensure that it’s effectively meeting its organisational goals and objectives, and Citizens Advice and funder requirements

  • Develop relationships with local organisations, funders and the community to ensure CAWB is recognised and valued

  • Attend and actively participate at board meetings (every 6-7 weeks), contributing to discussions and decision-making and respond to emails within given timescales

  • Prepare for meetings by reading papers in plenty of time beforehand

  • Attend an annual planning day, the Annual general Meeting and other ad-hoc meetings as required

Skills and experience

As a trustee, you’ll need to:

  • be eligible to be a trustee

  • be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own

  • listen and communicate effectively with diverse audiences and build relationships

  • be able to exercise good, independent judgement

  • be able to analyse the external environment and develop long term plans for CAWB

  • have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the Treasurer

  • be willing to learn about, and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection

Benefits of volunteering as a Trustee:

  • Making a difference by helping to shape the future of a vital community service

  • Gaining experience by developing leadership and strategic skills

  • Contributing to the local community and making a positive impact

  • Learning new things and developing valuable skills

  • Meeting new people and building relationships with others

If you are interested in becoming a trustee and would like further information or to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Further information

You can find further information about who can be a trustee and the main duties of a trustee on the government website.

Applying

Please email volunteer@cawb.org.uk or telephone 01942 709709 for an application form.