Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Laurel Avenue Community Association. The charity focuses on youth work and community centre activities, supporting local people and improving community wellbeing. Trustees ensure the charity is well-run, financially sustainable, and delivering its charitable purposes for the benefit of children, young people, and the wider community. Trustees act collectively as the governing body and share responsibility for all decisions.
Key Responsibilities
In line with Charity Commission guidance, trustees must:
• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Support and oversee delivery of youth programmes and community centre activities
• Ensure services meet the needs of local children, young people, and residents
• Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law
• Ensure all activities, particularly youth work, meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Adhere to safeguarding, health and safety, and equality legislation
• Act in the charity’s best interests
• Make informed decisions that prioritise beneficiaries
• Declare and manage conflicts of interest
• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly
• Oversee financial management, funding, and sustainability
• Ensure facilities and resources are safe, well-maintained, and fit for purpose
• Act with reasonable care and skill
• Apply relevant experience (e.g. youth work, education, community development)
• Seek specialist advice when needed
• Ensure the charity is accountable
• Maintain proper reporting and record keeping
• Ensure transparency with funders, beneficiaries, and regulators
Safeguarding Responsibilities
Given the charity’s work with children, young people, and potentially vulnerable adults, safeguarding is a core trustee responsibility.
Trustees must:
• Ensure robust safeguarding and child protection policies are in place, regularly reviewed, and compliant with current legislation
• Ensure all staff and volunteers working in youth and community activities are safely recruited, including DBS checks where required
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture, where concerns are taken seriously and acted upon
• Ensure appropriate training and awareness for staff, volunteers, and trustees
• Monitor safeguarding practice within youth sessions and community centre activities
• Ensure clear procedures are followed for reporting concerns to relevant authorities
Additional Duties
• Contribute to the development of youth programmes and community initiatives
• Attend and actively participate in trustee meetings
• Support staff and volunteers delivering services
• Act as an ambassador within the local community
• Contribute to fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement
• Oversee risk management, particularly in relation to activities involving young people
Person Specification
We are looking for individuals who:
• Are committed to supporting children, young people, and the local community
• Have an understanding of, or interest in, youth work or community development
• Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and sound judgement
• Can think strategically and work as part of a team
• Are willing to dedicate time to meetings and preparation
• Bring relevant skills (e.g. safeguarding, education, finance, governance, facilities management, fundraising)
Eligibility
Trustees must:
• Be at least 18 years old
• Not be disqualified under charity law
Laurel Avenue Community Association. In person meetings (can be online if required).
2-3 hours every 8 weeks plus additional if you wish to volunteer across any of our activities (this is optional).
Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed.
Contribute to a cause you care about and help shape our organisations direction and impact.
You will gain leadership and governance skills, decision making and financial awareness. There will be lots of networking opportunities and you will work with and meet professionals from different sectors. Ultimately you will make a real difference in a community you care about.
Laurel Avenue Community Association is located within the Sherburn Road Estate area of Durham
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Why Become a Trustee?
• Help improve opportunities for our community, children and young people
• Support a vital community space
• Gain valuable governance and leadership experience
• Make a meaningful difference locally
