Yesterday Guideposts Trust, a Social Care charity, marked the fifth annual celebration of Trustees Week by holding an afternoon tea reception at their offices in Witney.  


Alongside the guests of honour — the trustees themselves — there was also support from Town Mayor Jeanette Baker, local organisations Volunteer Link-Up and OCVA and individuals interested in finding out more about this rewarding volunteer work.


So what are trustees? Essentially they are the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run. They come from all walks of life and formal qualifications are not necessary. Instead everyone contributes their own combination of skills and experience.


Often they are the unsung heroes; playing a vital role by volunteering their time in order to work together and make the decisions that really matter about the charity's finances, activities and plans for the future.


The Guideposts Trust event was important in raising awareness of the indispensable role that trustees play within charities.


As trustee Lydia Hirst noted during the event: “As a trustee for Guideposts Trust I help senior management set and implement strategy by recruiting senior people, overseeing financials and acting as a critical friend.


“The charity delivers services to the most vulnerable in society in a professional and caring manner, so it is hugely satisfying to help steer, support and challenge managers to ensure the organisation is sustainable in the current difficult climate. Gaining Board level experience has been both a challenge and an opportunity.”


Guideposts Trust’s event is one of many taking place across the UK in support of Trustees Week 2014, which is run by The Charity Commission in partnership with NCVO. Many charities need more trustees and as such this week of events aims to highlight the work that trustees do.


Guideposts Trust offers a wide range of services across Oxfordshire and beyond which aim to support vulnerable people to lead independent lives. Services in Oxfordshire include Dementia Web, a national dementia information service, Help@Home, a domiciliary care service and Dig’n’Grow, a Horticultural Therapy service.


To find out more about the services they provide visit the website guidepoststrust.org.uk. If you would be interested in finding out more about becoming a trustee for Guideposts Trust email gpt@guidepoststrust.org.uk or call 01993 893560.