Your voice matters. Why you don’t need boardroom experience to be a great trustee.
Every day, Groundwork Yorkshire works alongside communities to create greener places, improve people’s prospects and tackle some of the challenges facing our region. From helping people into employment and supporting households with rising energy costs, to improving green spaces and strengthening community resilience, our work is rooted in the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive. Our trustees help make that work possible.
What do trustees do?
Trustees play a vital role in shaping the organisation’s future. Working with fellow board members, you’ll help influence strategic direction, provide oversight and ensure the charity remains focused on its mission and values. It’s not about managing day-to-day operations. It’s about asking good questions, offering constructive challenges and helping us make the best decisions for the communities we serve.
Do I have the experience to become a trustee?
You don’t need previous board or senior leadership experience to become a trustee. We’re keen to hear from people who care about Yorkshire and want to use their skills, knowledge or lived experience to help create positive change. Professional expertise can be valuable, but so are fresh perspectives, local insights and a willingness to contribute. Being a trustee also offers you the chance to develop new skills, broaden your perspective, and work alongside people who bring different expertise and lived experience to the table.
We welcome and encourage trustees from all sectors. We value skills in traditional finance or legal careers, as well as digital marketing, lived experience, HR, environmental roles and local community insights.
I have a full-time job. Can I become a trustee alongside it?
Being a trustee isn’t as time consuming as a day-to-day job and can work well alongside your usual career. Your time is voluntary and at Groundwork Yorkshire, all we ask is a commitment of attending four board meetings per year. We also have plenty of other opportunities for you to get involved with, should you wish.
What will I gain from becoming a trustee?
Board experience offers senior leadership skills, governance knowledge, and a broader strategic perspective that accelerates career growth. You’ll gain insight into how a charity with a regional presence operates, including how we balance the needs of our stakeholders and beneficiaries with the realities of financial sustainability and a changing political and social landscape. You may find yourself looking at challenges differently, building your confidence as a leader and developing relationships that extend well beyond the boardroom.
If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, take a look at our trustee recruitment pack and find out more about the opportunity, including the time commitment and the skills and experience we’re looking for. If you’d like to have a further chat about the role, please get in touch.
Applications close on 20 November 2026.
Find out more and learn about our current board here: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/yorkshire/about/yorkshire-board/