SHORTAGE OF ASIAN CHARITY TRUSTEES
(23 August 2005)

Research has revealed that only 5% of people running the 190,000 charities in England and Wales are from an ethnic background and further more charities are having huge problems recruiting more diverse trustees. Volunteering charity TimeBank and the Charity Commission today launched the ‘Get on Board’ campaign to encourage more people from diverse communities to bring their passions and skills to the table by becoming a charity trustee.

Supporting the campaign launch, successful entrepreneur and charity trustee Ram Gidoomal said: "Shaping and supporting a charity through trusteeship is a tangible way to make a real difference to the world.

Currently only 5% of trustees are from ethnic minority backgrounds and only 25% are under 45 but trustees need to be as diverse as the people their charities work with. As a trustee of the Employability Forum which helps refugees into work, I know that people with similar experiences or understandings are often better equipped to respond to the needs of people supported by a charity.

Ethnic minority communities should know that they are needed by charities but also that they have much to gain - being a trustee can widen your network of contacts, help you improve your career prospects and learn new skills."

73% of employers would choose a candidate with voluntary experience over one without, and 94% of employers think volunteering would add to the skills of their workforce. A third of charities say they found it difficult to attract young people to become trustees.A rare example is Ayesha Janjua a Public Affairs Executive at Network Rail and a trustee at Respond, a charity that provides support for people with learning disabilities, specifically people who have suffered abuse or trauma. Ayesha said:

“I was inspired to get involved because I think there is a lack of provision for vulnerable people in these circumstances but I’ve also found my role as trustee has given me valuable career experience.

I’ve particularly benefited from helping to write a communications strategy and short-listing and being on the interview panel for a new helpline manager. Volunteering as a trustee has made me feel like a complete person, developing all aspects of my life.”

Moira Swinbank, Timebank’s Chief Executive, said: “We want to dispel the myths about being a trustee, you don’t need to be asked and you don’t need to be a powerful mover and shaker.

Trustees need to be representative of the charities they help. For example, a helpline for young people would benefit hugely from trustees with the same experiences or similar cultural backgrounds to the children it supports.”

To find out more, visit www.getonboard.org.uk or call 0845 601 4008 or text ‘trustee’ to 07766 404 142

Top