Young people make up a large part of the population but they hold less than 3% of charity trustee roles. According to the Young Trustees Movement, that’s not just a gap, it’s a huge missed opportunity.

Charity boards are missing out on fresh perspectives, digital know-how, and lived experiences that younger trustees can bring. At the same time, many young people don’t realise the career-building and confidence-boosting potential of becoming a trustee.

Being a board member sounds serious. Maybe even intimidating. But is it really as inaccessible as it seems? Or could it actually be more flexible, rewarding, and even fun than most young people imagine?

To find out what it’s really like, meet Emily, a young trustee helping to shape the future of a unique local charity.

Emily is the youngest board member at Ponies Help Children, a remarkable local charity based in Shotts, North Lanarkshire. The charity rescues ponies and offers transformative care to children and young people, focusing on improving mental health and wellbeing through powerful connections between children and animals.

How It All Began

Emily became a trustee at Ponies Help Children two years ago, when she was just 22. Now 24, she reflects on how she got involved and why she believes more young people should consider joining charity boards.

At the time, Emily was doing agency work when her mum suggested she volunteer at PHC. Their shared love of horses drew them in and after just a few visits that week, Emily was completely won over. She never left.

Emily’s background in residential childcare, particularly trauma-informed practice, became a real asset to the team. She started by covering ad hoc sessions when staff were on holiday, and gradually became more involved in the charity’s day-to-day work.

Stepping into a Trustee Role

Six months into volunteering at PHC, Emily attended her first Annual General Meeting. Curious to learn more about how the charity operated behind the scenes, she decided to attend. During the meeting, a board member mentioned they were recruiting and that caught Emily’s attention. 

She knew she was bringing valuable experience to her role, and she had a genuine passion for the charity’s work.

What gave her the confidence to apply, she says, was simply “knowing I was allowed to.” As a 22-year-old, she’d assumed that board roles were only open to people with decades of experience.

But that perception is slowly changing. More and more boards are actively seeking fresh perspectives, diverse lived experience, and the digital fluency that younger trustees often bring.  

Breaking Stereotypes

Emily brings deep insight into the challenges today’s young people face, particularly around mental health and growing up in an always-online world. Her background in trauma-informed care gives her a strong foundation, and being closer in age to many of the charity’s clients helps her connect with their experiences on a more personal level.

Having younger trustees alongside more experienced board members adds a valuable layer of understanding to decision-making, one that reflects the full range of voices the charity supports.

Beyond the Boardroom

Outside of Emily’s contributions to regular meetings and decisions. She also helps organise PHC’s regular quiz night, a family-friendly event that brings the local community together. She even writes the questions and acts as quiz master, blending her love of fun with her commitment to the charity’s mission.

Finding the Right Balance

In the beginning there were doubts of course. Emily wasn’t sure how much time commitment was required on top of her day job, and how the trustee responsibilities would fit in with her routine. Many young people mystified by the world of charity boards think the same. There is a myth that it will be time consuming and meeting heavy.

Charity boards often meet once a month, and the number of hours required outside the meetings in often manageable on top of other responsibilities. Emily’s role is very flexible and she has a good balance between her trustee responsibilities and her day to day work life.

Like many young people, Emily was unsure what becoming a trustee would actually involve. Would it be a huge time commitment? Would it clash with her day job?

“We have a meeting every two months” she explains. “For an hour, hour and a half, and maybe a wee extra one if we have the quiz night coming up, so that everybody’s got their roles. And it’s very flexible. You’re not expected to be there all the time, as long as you’ve done your job. They’re very understanding that everybody’s got their own life.”

This flexibility is key, and a far cry from the rigid, high-pressure image that often surrounds board roles.

“TV programmes talk about board members, and it’s like power suits, and that sort of thing. Half the time on the board calls I’m sitting in my jammies.”

Decision-Making Power & Practical Impact

Having started as a volunteer, Emily brings a grounded, hands-on understanding of the charity’s day-to-day operations. This gives her valuable insight as a board member, helping bridge the gap between decision-making and frontline experience.

Over time, she’s contributed to a number of board decisions, from improving staff spaces to approving the installation of a new roof and setting up a coffee station for volunteers and employees. These kinds of improvements have a direct and lasting impact on the wellbeing of the team and the smooth running of the charity.

Personal Growth: Confidence, CVs & Career Boosts

The benefits of trusteeship don’t stop at the charity gates. For Emily, it’s had a ripple effect on her confidence and career.

“It looks really good on my CV,” she says. “It’s such a talking point when I’ve gone for job interviews.”

Her trustee role has helped her stand out in interviews, and shown employers that she brings leadership, responsibility, and passion to the table.

Emily’s Advice for Aspiring Young Trustees

• Start with a charity you believe in.
• Don’t be afraid to ask. You might be exactly what they need.
• Try it. If it’s not for you, you’ll still learn something.
• Know that your perspective as a young person is valuable.

Conclusion

Emily’s story is inspiring and a powerful example of the impact young trustees can have when they step into causes they care about. With fresh perspectives, lived experience, and practical skills, young people have so much to offer charity boards.

There’s a world of opportunity in the sector, and we hope Emily’s journey encourages more young people to get involved. Charities across the country are looking for voices like yours.

If you’re curious about becoming a trustee, explore opportunities and resources through organisations like the Young Trustees Movement and search for open roles via Reach Volunteering.