All about Trusteeship

Ever wondered what the trustees of Incredible Kids do? Jai Breitnauer shares her personal journey:

On a rainy spring evening in 2001, my friends cheered as it was announced I’d been elected as Student Services and Communications Officer, a Sabbatical Officer position at my university. This meant having a year off my studies to work with a team of elected students to look after the Student’s Union, a registered charity. It also meant I was now a trustee of the Student’s Union, and I didn’t really know what that meant…

Trustees, I discovered, are the legal custodians of a registered charity or charitable incorporated organisation. They must act collectively, in the best interests of the organisation not themselves, and within charity law. They’re usually unpaid volunteers, yet they make all the important decisions for the charity! I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed. I was only 21. Thankfully as a trustee I wasn’t alone. As well as the other 6 Sabbatical Officers, there were multiple staff members who had worked at the organisation for many years and provided oversight, advice and continuity. It was an enjoyable year that catapulted me into a career in the charitable sector.

In June 2023, I noticed Incredible Kids were advertising for trustees. I had previously worked as a fundraiser for Increidble Kids, and held volunteer positions. My children had attended play sessions. I knew the charity well and felt passionate about its mission. I decided I’d like to help in a more formal way and applied for the role. A couple of months later, I was co-opted by the existing board of trustees.

All trusteeships are different. Some can be quite distant and hands off, almost ceremonial. Small organisations might find it’s very hands on! I’ve met trustees who litetally do everything. At Incredible Kids we are balanced between those two extremes. Our board are ‘managing trustees’. We have staff, like our wonderful play manager Jeanna, our award winning team of playworkers, and people to support social media, accounts and admin. But the trustees have an active role in running the organisation through planning, management and oversight.

A typical trustee week for me includes checking emails daily in case any of our staff or our 40+ Incredible volunteers have been in touch, checking in with the other trustees a couple of times a week through our WhatsApp group, perhaps looking over policy and governance issues or getting quotes for services. I’m the trustee involved in fundraising so I might do some applications or support others. We have a monthly catch up meeting and quarterly trustee meetings. All in all, I volunteer between 1 and 3 hours a week of my time, depending on what’s happening.

Being a volunteer in a role like trustee isn’t all about giving, it is a reciprocal relationship. I’ve learned so much about management, business, strategy, charity law, and local support networks through my role. I’ve managed to make some great connections, and take part in training courses that are helpful in my job as well as my trusteeship. Plus, the other trustees have become good friends. It’s so great to feel part of a team.

Being a trustee is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done, and I’d recommend it to anyone. You don’t need previous experience, be university educated or have any specific professional skills to offer. Enthusiam and passion are the essential elements, and lived experience of the issues the charity supports are invaluable.

Incredible Kids are currently recruiting for trustees, and we would love to get your application.

Find out more about becoming an Incredible Kids Trustee and apply on our vacancies page.