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This Trustee Week, we’re shining a light on the people who give their time, expertise, and passion to help charities thrive. Trustees play a vital role in shaping the vision, governance, and impact of the organisations they support — and their contributions make an incredible difference in our communities. We spoke with Syd, Chair of the Board of Trustees at W3RT (Watford & Three Rivers Trust), to hear about his journey, insights, and advice for those thinking about becoming a trustee. What inspired you to become a trustee, and what motivates you to keep giving your time and expertise? “Clock, the company I founded in 1997, was made possible through help from The Prince’s Trust. So I’ve always felt a sense of gratitude and appreciation for that, along with a desire to give back. Being a Trustee is a great way of doing that.” What impact do you feel your organisation has made in the community since you’ve been involved? “W3RT has myriad impacts on the local community — from HCNS to community centres and the Chamber of Commerce. Since I joined, we’ve brought the Chamber under our wing to ensure the connection between business and the community continues to develop. We also opened and now run the Lord Lieutenant’s Charity Hub in conjunction with Warner Bros. This has helped build a close community of charities who support each other.” What have you learned about leadership, collaboration, or decision-making through your trustee role? “As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I’ve had to develop leadership skills specific to the voluntary sector. There are sensitivities and aspects unique to this world that mean decisions have to be made differently.In the commercial world, I’m paid to take risks and ultimately drive profit (although we are a BCorp, so People and the Planet are equally important). But charities work differently — I’ve learned that finding consensus is key. Things also tend to take a bit longer!” What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a trustee for the first time? “Get on with it. There’s almost always a ‘try-before-you-buy’ option, which gives you a chance to see if it’s for you before you commit. But when you do, give it the priority it demands — if you’re not engaged, you won’t be any use. And remember, you’ll usually sign up for a fixed term. So set yourself some goals to achieve in that time, and give it your all.” Trustees like Syd play a crucial role in strengthening local charities and the communities they serve. Their leadership, experience, and commitment help ensure that vital services can continue to grow and reach those who need them most. If Syd’s story has inspired you to use your skills and experience for good, explore current trustee opportunities across Hertfordshire here.

Each year on 5th November, we celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day, a moment to recognise the incredible people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support, guide, and champion volunteers. These individuals play a vital role in building strong, caring communities by helping others to give their time, skills, and compassion where it’s needed most. Volunteer managers are the bridge between organisations and the people who want to make a difference. They nurture confidence, provide direction, and ensure that volunteers feel valued and supported throughout their journey. To mark this special day, we spoke with Sarah-Jayne McClane, Senior Volunteer Coordinator from Hertfordshire Mind Network, to hear her reflections on the role and what it means to her. What does being a Volunteer Manager mean to you? Being a volunteer manager is both a challenge and highly rewarding work. It is a real privilege to walk alongside someone from the start of their volunteer journey to finish and everything in between. Volunteering is such a needed part of the vital work we do. Can you share a moment or achievement that made you particularly proud of your volunteers or team? There have been several volunteers who have gone onto paid employment within Mind, it is always really heartwarming to see this transition, especially when they have gone full circle and started as a client, progressing to volunteer and then moved onto paid employment. What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about managing volunteers? I think the most rewarding aspects of the job are seeing how volunteering is so impactful both in the lives of clients and the volunteers themselves. It is often overlooked, but can play a major role in an individual’s wellbeing. Some of the more challenging aspects of the job can be trying to expand and change the way we work to encompass the growth of Hertfordshire Mind Network. We now have over 160 volunteers so as a volunteer team we need to constantly evolve to meet the needs of all our volunteers and the clients they support. How do you see the role of volunteering evolving within your organisation or the wider community? Volunteering is now becoming much more of a ‘bread and butter’ service. Particularly within HMN we are seeing a really high calibre of volunteers, with a wealth of experience doing a variety of different roles within our organisation. This could be compared to a picture in the past where there would be few volunteers, in a small number of roles. Recognising the Heart of Volunteer Management Sarah-Jayne’s insights perfectly capture what Volunteer Managers Day is all about - celebrating the dedication, care, and leadership that go into supporting others. Her reflections remind us that behind every successful volunteer programme are people like her, working passionately to ensure that volunteers feel empowered and valued. So today, on International Volunteer Managers Day, we extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteer managers, coordinators, and leaders who make volunteering possible. Your work strengthens communities, changes lives, and inspires others to give back.

As part of Trustee Week 2025, we’re celebrating the incredible people who volunteer their time, expertise, and passion to guide charities and make a difference in their communities. Trustees play a vital role in shaping the vision, governance, and impact of charitable organisations and this week, we’re shining a light on their contributions. Today, we’re featuring Loretta Anderson, who serves as Chair for both The Centre in the Park and the Margaret Lloyd Playgroup. Loretta shares what inspired her to become a trustee and what she’s learned along the way. What inspired you to become a trustee, and what motivates you to keep giving your time and expertise? I am passionate about the charities I chair. The Centre in the Park and the Margaret Lloyd Playgroup. I felt (and still feel) that I have something to offer them from a fundraising and governance perspective. What impact do you feel your organisation has made in the community since you’ve been involved? Margaret Lloyd Playgroup – The years I have been involved has given thousands of parents of small children, many who live in flats, a safe and affordable place for their pre-school children to thrive.The Centre in the Park – is a purpose-built day centre for high needs elderly residents. They are able to socialise have good food and lots of stimulating activities that enable them to stay longer in their own homes. If they live with carers it gives the carer much needed respite from their caring duties. What have you learned about leadership, collaboration, or decision-making through your trustee role? I have learnt that leading a good board is about listening to others, teamwork, communication, and most of all that you all care about the charity and the beneficiaries you work for. What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a trustee for the first time? Read the charities aims and objectives, to make sure they are a cause that you want to support. If possible ask to visit the charity to talk to beneficiaries/users before deciding if you really want to help. Finally, go for it, as it is very rewarding! Trustees like Loretta remind us of the huge difference dedicated volunteers make every day, guiding organisations, supporting communities, and helping charities to thrive. We have lots of exciting trustee roles available, visit our website to find out more and see how you can get involved!