SUCCESS OF TRUSTEE ACADEMY LEADS TO REGIONAL EXPANSION

 

An academy dedicated to creating quality charity trustees in Hull and the East Riding is expanding online to support even more people.

The HEY Smile Foundation’s Trustee Academy was launched in September 2018 and is the only trustee academy in the UK

Launch of Trustee Academy

More than 50 people, including current and potential trustees and those who work with charities, have completed the 10-week programme, with modules including fundraising, legal knowledge, assessing and mitigating risk, and managing human resources issues covered by business partners who give up their time for free.

Now, the academy is expanding online to accept applications from interested parties along the east coast from Scarborough to Cleethorpes and along both banks of the Humber, as well as York, North Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.

The two-hour sessions, run via Zoom over three months, are free to local charities and will also ensure those taking part in the academy can do so as safely as possible, learning remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The expansion of the academy comes as Trustees’ Week gets underway from November 2 to 6, showcasing the great work trustees do and highlighting opportunities for people to get involved with charities and make a difference.

Andy Barber, HEY Smile Foundation Chief Executive, said: “There has never been a more important time to become a charitable trustee than now. During the current Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen the difference in charities where they have had strong leadership in their board of trustees.

“Those who become a trustee can help to shape an organisation go from being a passionate cause to being a strategic agent for change within communities.

“With skills, resources and time, they can help an organisation to be well governed, constructively challenged and ensure it meets the aims and objectives it set out to achieve.

“We can support them along the way, help them learn how to be the best trustee they can be, connect them to organisations looking for trustees at the moment, and ensure they have all the skills and abilities to maximise their potential for community use.”

Angela Broekhuizen is former chair and current trustee of Downright Special, a charity which supports children with Down syndrome and their families. She said while she knew the charity already had robust governance and leadership in place, she gained valuable additional knowledge from the Smile Trustee Academy.

Angela, who also recently won the Trustee Award at the virtual HEY Smile Foundation Volunteer Awards 2020, said: “While the Charity Commission provides guidance, there is nothing quite like networking with other trustees and those who are interested in taking up the role.

“The academy gives you a really good understanding and re-emphasises what the role of a trustee is. I found it reassuring, the quality of the speakers was superb, and the dialogue was really valuable.”

There are approximately 196,000 charities in the UK and more than one million trustees.

David Foulds, founder of North Yorkshire-based charity consultancy Bedale Consulting, helps to run the academy and has worked in Third Sector management for more than 25 years, leading three charities as Chief Executive Officer and working with various trustee boards.

He said: “When boards aren’t equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to perform at their best, it is always the beneficiaries who will ultimately suffer. 

“I’m proud to have been involved with each of the Smile Trustee Academy cohorts and it’s great to hear the positive feedback from those taking part.  I believe this initiative can only strengthen our sector through informed and confident Trustee board leadership.

“The change to an online academy using Zoom technology has the real benefit of being able to welcome candidates from right across the region.”

Accountants Smailes Goldie is the main sponsor of the academy and backed the initiative from the outset while also sponsoring the Trustee accolade in Smile’s annual Volunteer Awards.

Partner Steve Bramall said: “We’re delighted to support the academy as it equips individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and the best they can be in their roles.

“It’s a fantastic free resource for local charities that is no doubt making a valuable difference to charities and trustees alike.”

Applications for the sixth HEY Smile Foundation Trustee Academy cohort are now open. To register or find out more, click here or email hello@heysmilefoundation.org