By Sarah Maybourne, Deputy Chief Officer

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work in roles that have challenged me, helped me grow and given me valuable skills and experiences. Over time, I reached a point where I wanted to use those skills for something beyond my day-to-day work. I wanted to contribute to something with a wider purpose and make a meaningful difference.

A conversation I had several years ago has stayed with me throughout my career. I was speaking with a senior leader whom I respected and asked what had given them the greatest sense of achievement. I expected them to talk about career milestones, major projects or business success. Instead, they spoke about the organisations and communities they had helped strengthen beyond their day job.

What struck me most was when they said: “The real measure of success isn’t what you build for yourself, it’s what you help others build.”

That conversation stayed with me. It made me reflect on the skills and experience I had gained over the years and how I could use them to support something bigger than myself. It also made me realise that some of the most meaningful contributions happen behind the scenes, helping organisations become stronger, more resilient and better equipped to serve others.

When the opportunity to become a trustee arose, I saw it as a chance to give something back. I wanted to use my experience to help strengthen an organisation, support its long-term future and contribute to decisions that would have a lasting impact on the people and communities it serves.

Understanding the Role of a Trustee

Being a trustee is both a privilege and a responsibility. Trustees help ensure that an organisation remains true to its mission, well governed and financially sustainable. This involves providing strategic oversight, supporting sound decision-making and ensuring resources are used effectively.

Trustees help shape the future direction of an organisation by:

• Providing strategic leadership and guidance.
• Supporting strong governance and accountability.
• Ensuring financial sustainability and effective stewardship of resources.
• Managing risk and helping organisations adapt to change.
• Supporting long-term planning and organisational development.
• Acting in the best interests of the organisation and the communities it serves.

For me, however, trusteeship is about much more than governance and board papers. It is about helping create the conditions that allow an organisation to thrive and continue making a difference.

Making a Difference as a Trustee

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a trustee is knowing that I make a meaningful contribution. I joined the board because I wanted to do more than simply support the organisation from the sidelines. I wanted to play an active role in helping it grow, adapt and succeed.

Being a trustee is about listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions and working collaboratively with people who share a common purpose. It’s about bringing experience and perspective to discussions while also learning from others around the table.

One achievement that I am particularly proud of was helping to secure funding that enabled local people to remain in local jobs while ensuring services could continue to be delivered within the community.

For me, this wasn’t simply about securing funding. It was about protecting opportunities for local people and ensuring that vital services remained accessible to those who depend on them. Behind every funding application, strategic discussion and board decision are real people whose lives are affected by the choices we make.

I still remember the sense of pride when the funding was confirmed. Knowing that our collective efforts had helped, brought home the true impact that trustees can have. It transformed what might seem like a governance decision into something much more personal and meaningful.

That experience reinforced my belief that strong governance is not just about oversight and compliance. At its heart, it is about creating opportunities, supporting communities and building a sustainable future. Knowing that I played a small part in helping local people stay in local jobs and ensuring services remained rooted in the community is something I am genuinely proud of.

More broadly, I am passionate about helping to build resilience within organisations. Throughout my career, I have seen that the strongest organisations are not always the biggest, but those with a clear purpose, strong foundations and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. I hope to bring those lessons into my role as a trustee, helping to strengthen governance, support strategic thinking and encourage sustainable growth.

Looking Ahead: The Value of Trusteeship

Trusteeship has given me the opportunity to contribute, learn and grow. More importantly, it has allowed me to use the skills and experience I have developed throughout my career to support an organisation that is making a positive difference.

What inspires me most is being surrounded by people who care deeply about their communities and are committed to creating lasting impact. Whether trustees, staff, volunteers or partners, everyone brings something valuable to an organisation’s success.

Looking back, that simple conversation about success and service helped shape my understanding of what meaningful contribution looks like. Becoming a trustee has given me the opportunity to put that belief into practice.

If I can continue to play a role in strengthening organisations, supporting local communities and helping create opportunities for others, then I will consider my time as a trustee well spent. After all, the strongest organisations are built by people who care deeply about their purpose, and I am proud to be part of that journey.