For Trustees’ Week, our trustee Annie has shared what being part of the team means to her—and it’s as much about people and belonging as it is about decisions and responsibilities:
Being a trustee of Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust (TAYCT) is both a privilege and an opportunity to contribute to something genuinely meaningful within our community.
What makes TAYCT particularly special is not simply the work we do, but the people who make it possible. Our trustees bring a wonderfully diverse range of professional skills, knowledge, perspectives and life experiences, united by a shared belief in the importance of creating opportunities, nurturing potential and strengthening our community.
There is a real warmth, generosity of spirit and sense of shared purpose around the trustee table. We take our responsibilities seriously, approaching decisions with thoughtfulness, integrity and ambition, but we also value kindness, humour, curiosity and the importance of listening to one another. Different perspectives are welcomed, ideas are explored openly, and everyone has something valuable to contribute.
We are also acutely aware that the real heart of TAYCT lies with our extraordinary staff and volunteers, whose dedication, compassion, energy and hard work make everything we aspire to possible. As trustees, we are enormously grateful for all that they give, often going above and beyond to make a difference in people’s lives. We recognise that our responsibility extends beyond good governance and strategic direction. We have a duty to help create and sustain an environment in which everyone feels valued, respected, included and supported; a place where camaraderie flourishes, contributions are celebrated and, importantly, where there is room for laughter, friendship and fun. After all, an organisation that seeks to enrich the lives of others should be an enriching place to belong to and work within.
For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of trusteeship is being part of an organisation that recognises not only the challenges facing our community, but also the enormous potential, talent and goodwill that exist within it. Good trusteeship is about more than overseeing what an organisation does today; it is about helping to shape what it might achieve tomorrow, while remaining mindful of the people who bring that vision to life.
We are an approachable, supportive and genuinely welcoming group, and I would encourage anyone who has considered becoming a trustee to explore the opportunity. You don’t need to have all the answers or come from a particular professional background. What matters most is a willingness to contribute, an open mind, sound judgement and a genuine desire to make a difference.
There is something rather special about bringing together people who care deeply about their community and discovering what can be achieved through their collective wisdom, energy and goodwill. And perhaps that is what I value most about being a trustee of TAYCT: the opportunity to be part of something that is not only worthwhile and ambitious, but also deeply human, collaborative and full of heart.