Trustee - Volunteer in Kingswood

Are you passionate about empowering young people to reach their full potential? Creative Youth Network, an award-winning youth charity in the West of England, is looking for new trustees with financial expertise (including one candidate to ultimately become our next Treasurer).

What difference will you make? Our Board represents a range of business and community leaders. We value diversity of thought and our Trustees come from many different backgrounds. As a Trustee of Creative Youth Network, you will be a vital part of our governing body, responsible for ensuring the charity fulfils its mission and operates effectively and ethically.

What are we looking for? We are seeking new trustees with financial expertise, including candidates potentially able to become our next Treasurer. Candidates should be passionate about youth empowerment and eager to contribute to the strategic leadership of our thriving organisation. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive board that reflects the communities we serve - we therefore welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and demographics.

What will you be doing?

• Ensuring Organisational Purpose and Public Benefit: Ensuring Creative Youth Network consistently carries out its purposes for the public benefit, as defined in its governing document.
• Compliance: Ensuring CYN complies with its governing document, charity law (including the Charities Act 2022 where provisions are in force), company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations (e.g., safeguarding, data protection (GDPR), health & safety).
• Strategic Direction: Contributing actively to the development and delivery of the charity’s firm strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed objectives.
• Resource Management: Ensuring CYN’s resources and funds are used exclusively for its charitable purposes, managed responsibly, and protected from undue risk (financial, reputational, or otherwise).
• Financial Oversight: Ensuring financial stability, maintaining robust financial controls, and scrutinising financial information.
• Safeguarding: Upholding the highest standards of safeguarding for all young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring comprehensive policies and procedures are in place and adhered to. All Trustees will undergo an Enhanced DBS check.
• Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating significant risks to the charity, its beneficiaries, and its assets.
• Leadership and Culture: Safeguarding the good name and values of Creative Youth Network, fostering a positive, inclusive, and values-driven culture throughout the organisation.
• CEO Oversight: Monitoring the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and providing appropriate support and challenge.
• Accountability: Ensuring the charity is open and accountable to its beneficiaries, funders, and the wider public, including robust reporting and communication.

In addition to the collective responsibilities, each Trustee is expected to:

• Commitment: Demonstrate a strong commitment to Creative Youth Network’s mission, vision, and values, and a passion for empowering young people.
• Time Commitment: Be willing to meet the time requirements, which include attending approximately four formal board meetings per year (2‑3 hours each), typically held quarterly with option for remote or in person, along with an annual half‑day strategic planning session. There may also be other optional meetings, committee work, or ad‑hoc support as required.
• Active Contribution: Contribute actively to board discussions, bringing independent judgment, constructive challenge, and new ideas.
• Utilise Skills: Apply their specific skills, knowledge, and experience to help the board make informed decisions, which may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, or providing guidance in their area of expertise.
• Integrity: Act with integrity, always in the best interests of the charity, and declare any conflicts of interest.
• Learning and Development: Be willing to undertake a full induction and ongoing training to understand their legal duties and responsibilities, as well as wider sector developments. Trustees will need to complete a Fit and Proper Persons HMRC declaration.
• Advocacy: Act as an advocate and champion for Creative Youth Network’s work and mission.

No prior trustee experience is required. We provide a comprehensive induction, ongoing training, and dedicated support to all new Trustees.