What is a Home-Start trustee?
A Home-Start trustee is a volunteer who sits on the trustee board of a local Home-Start scheme. Each scheme is an independent charity and being a trustee is all about the governance of that charity - making sure things are done, but not necessarily doing them.
Trustees are responsible for:
- making the charity effective
- providing overall direction
- maintaining sound management of funds
Without volunteer trustees Home-Start schemes couldn't function and both families and children wouldn't get the support they need.
Being a trustee can be hard work, but it is also rewarding, giving many chances for personal development and the chance to give something back to your local community.
What does a board of trustees do?
The board of trustees is responsible for:
- the scheme's vision
- leading strategic direction
- compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
- the performance and quality of the scheme
- ensuring that the scheme operates within the Home-Start agreement
- the scheme's property
- financial management and security
- good governance
- the promotion of Home-Start
- employing staff
Their job is to ensure that the resources in the chartiiy are used effectively to further the objectives of Home-Start and for the purpose for which they were given.
How much of my time will it take?
Around eight to ten hours a month.
If you take on additional committments, as a chair or treasurer, you will probably increase the amount of time you spend on behalf of the scheme - but you will be supported all the way with full induction and training, the support of scheme staff, and ongoing training. You will also be supported by Home-Start UK, which exists to provide information, support and guidance to Home-Start schemes.
Why Home-Start needs more trustees
What skills trustees need
Trustees' stories
What our trustees say
Frequently Asked Questions about trusteeship
What our families say about Home-Start
Useful web links
"Rydyn ni'n gofyn"
