Charity Trustee (training and matching provided)
Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets
Join our METs programme to receive training and be matched to a local charity that is recruiting trustees. Trustees are the unpaid volunteers who lead charities and decide how they are run. This fantastic leadership development opportunity is only open to Tower Hamlets residents from Global Majority communities (all communities other than White British), aged 18+. Please note that this role is NOT suitable for people who have never worked or volunteered before.
Are you ready to take on a meaningful leadership role in your community? Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets runs the METs Programme — a training and matching service that helps Tower Hamlets residents from Global Majority communities (all communities other than White British) aged 18+ to become charity trustees. Trustees are the unpaid volunteers who lead charities and make key decisions about how they are run. This is a very responsible role that requires judgement, the ability to digest complex information, commitment, and teamwork — but it’s also an excellent opportunity to develop your leadership skills and make a lasting impact. This role is not suitable for people who have never worked or volunteered before. If you’ve ever: • taken responsibility for something important at work, in further education or while volunteering or • led a community group or project, or • managed people or budgets, then you already have valuable experience that could make you an excellent trustee. You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to be ready to take on a serious long-term volunteer role and commit to learning about charity governance. About the METs Programme The METs Programme provides full training, guidance, and support to help you succeed as a trustee. You’ll learn about: • the legal and financial responsibilities of trustees, • how charities make strategic decisions, and • how to contribute effectively at board level. After completing the training, you’ll be introduced to local charities (representing a wide range of causes) that are actively recruiting new trustees from Global Majority communities. The programme aims to match your interests, skills, and lived experience with charities that will benefit from your perspective. Key dates Applications close on Monday 27 October 2025. Training sessions take place online via Zoom, on Tuesday evenings: • Session 1: 11 November 2025, 6pm–8.15pm • Session 2: 18 November 2025, 6pm–8.15pm • Session 3: 25 November 2025, 6pm–8.15pm • Session 4: 2 December 2025, 6pm–8.15pm • Matching Event: 13 January 2026, 6pm–8.45pm If you cannot attend ALL of these dates, please wait and apply for the next round in spring 2026. All training and meetings are held on Zoom — you’ll need: • a computer or laptop with a camera, • reliable broadband, • ability to use Zoom, and • a quiet space for online sessions. How to apply Applications close on Monday 27 October 2025. We expect high interest, so please express your interest early. We’ll send you a short application form and invite you to an informal Zoom interview — a chance to tell us about your experience and ask questions. If you’re unsure whether you are a good fit for this role, please contact us to arrange an informal chat by emailing info@vcth.org.uk. What happens next Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll attend the online Matching Event, where you’ll meet around 10 Tower Hamlets charities currently recruiting trustees. If there’s a good fit, charities may invite you to interview for a board role. Trustees usually volunteer 3–8 hours a month (mostly weekday evenings) for at least 2–3 years.
Trusteeships & Committees
Basic IT skills - internet & email, Managing People, Organising & Planning
You must: • be from a Global Majority (Minoritised Ethnic) community (any community other than White British); • be aged 18+ and CURRENTLY LIVE in Tower Hamlets; • be able to communicate fluently in English (spoken and written); • be available for all four training sessions and the matching event; • have access to a computer, internet, and a quiet space to take part online. You should also: • be genuinely interested in charity leadership and community impact; • be reliable and willing to make a long-term commitment; trustees usually volunteer 3–8 hours a month (mostly weekday evenings) for at least 2–3 years. • have some prior experience of taking responsibility — whether through work, volunteering, further education, or community involvement. • NOT have been a charity trustee before, as our training is designed for people who are new to trusteeship. Note: this is NOT a short-term or entry-level volunteering role; it suits people ready to take on a long-term position of trust and responsibility. It is unsuitable for people who have never worked or volunteered before.
• A chance to have your voice heard and represent your community at decision-making level. • Free, high-quality training in charity governance and leadership. • The opportunity to take on a respected unpaid leadership role in a local charity. • A meaningful way to develop strategic and leadership skills that can support your career or community goals. • Ongoing support and networking through a peer group of trustees from Global Majority communities.
Training and matching phase = 11 hrs 45mins over 5 x Tuesday evenings in November/December 2025 for the training and January 2026 for The Matching Event (see description for the dates). Once you become a trustee the time commitment will vary, depending on the charity your join, but expect somewhere between 3 and 8 hours a month (usually weekday evenings) for at least 2 to 3 years. Board meetings normally take place during weekday evenings. This responsible role involves making a long-term commitment.
N/A
Various
The 4 training sessions and the matching event are all held online on Zoom. Once you are matched to a charity, you will attend Board meetings, either online or at their premises in Tower Hamlets.
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