Be part of the team behind the adventure
Trustees are the people who work behind the scenes to make sure Woodseats Explorers runs safely, legally, and with our young members’ best interests at heart. Now we’re looking for new volunteers – could that be you?
At Woodseats Explorers we’re lucky to have over 100 fantastic young people, fifteen dedicated Leaders, our own multi-purpose building, four minibuses, three trailers, and heaps of equipment.
But none of it looks after itself. That’s why we’re building a brand-new Trustee Board – and we’d love you to join us. Whether your strengths are numbers, organisation, DIY, fundraising, or simply bringing a parent’s perspective, there’s a place for you.
You don’t need prior experience – just enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a couple of hours every two months. In return, you’ll gain new skills, meet great people, and see first-hand the impact you’re making on the lives of local young people (not to mention a steady supply of cake and biscuits at meetings!).
Trustee Information Pack
Want to see what being a trustee really involves? Click here to read the Scouts Trustee Info Pack and discover the role, responsibilities and rewards.
Curious yet? Dive in below and see if this is your next chance to make an impact.
8 ways to make a difference…
Chair
Lead the way – become our Chairperson
Are you a motivator, organiser and team player? Woodseats Explorers need someone to guide our Executive Committee, support volunteers and help shape our future.
What you’ll do:
- Lead and chair trustee meetings every 2 months.
- Work with trustees and leaders to set priorities.
- Ensure decisions are clear and followed through.
- Represent the group and support long-term plans.
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Confidence in leading discussions and supporting others.
- Eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
- And of course – tell us your favourite cake or biscuit!
Training and support provided. Help us lead the group that gives young people skills for life.
Secretary
Keep us on track – become our Group Secretary
Are you a natural organiser with an eye for detail? Woodseats Explorers need a team player and clear communicator to join our Executive Committee as Group Secretary.
What you’ll do:
- Arrange meetings, send invites and share minutes using our simple online system.
- Keep records accurate, up to date and safely stored.
- Complete our annual census return.
- Ensure key documents and files are secure and accessible.
- Dual authorise banking transfers.
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
- Willingness to bring your favourite cake or biscuit to the table!
Training and support provided. Help us stay organised so young people can thrive.
Treasurer
Explore, Engage, Excel – become our Treasurer
Do you have a head for numbers and an eye on the bigger picture? Woodseats Explorers need a team player with good judgement, organisational skills and IT know-how to join our Executive Committee as Treasurer.
What you’ll do:
- Keep our finances up to date using simple online systems.
- Manage expenses, make payments and carry out quick weekly banking tasks.
- Share income and spending updates at bi-monthly meetings.
- Ensure Gift Aid is claimed and proper accounts kept.
- Help with budgets, reports and financial planning (with support from the District Treasurer).
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
- Willingness to bring your cake or biscuit preference to the table!
Training and support provided. Help us manage funds that transform young people’s lives.
Vehicle Manager
Drive dreams – become our Transport Lead
Do you have a practical mindset and an eye for detail? Woodseats Explorers need someone to help keep our minibuses safe, roadworthy and ready for adventure.
What you’ll do:
- Ensure buses are taxed, insured and maintained and detailed records are kept online.
- Book MOTs, services and repairs as needed.
- Manage a logbook and defect reporting system.
- Keep vehicle records up to date and electronic.
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Willingness to lend a hand with small fixes or arranging garage visits.
- Eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
- And, of course, share your favourite cake or biscuit!
Training and support provided. Help fuel the journeys that give young people unforgettable experiences.
Buildings Manager
Care for our base – become our Building Manager
Are you practical and organised? Woodseats Explorers need someone to help oversee our building and keep it running smoothly for everyone who uses it.
What you’ll do:
- Keep track of maintenance needs and arrange repairs.
- Ensure safety checks and records are up to date.
- Manage utilities and essential services.
- Share updates and input on future plans.
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
- And, of course—let us know your favourite cake or biscuit!
Training and support provided. Help us look after the space that supports young people’s adventures.
Hire Manager
Unlock our spaces – become our Hall Hire Manager
Are you organised and good with people? Woodseats Explorers need someone to manage hall bookings and ensure our building hire runs smoothly.
What you’ll do:
- Handle booking requests and maintain the online calendar.
- Show prospective hirers around (or arrange cover).
- Ensure contracts are signed digitally and payments received.
- Keep accurate records and share feedback on future plans.
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Confidence with simple online systems.
- Eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
- And of course—tell us your favourite cake or biscuit!
Training and support provided. Help us generate vital income that supports young people’s adventures.
Grants manager
Scout the future – become our Fundraiser
Are you brimming with fundraising ideas? Woodseats Explorers need enthusiastic volunteers to help raise funds that support activities, facilities and adventures.
What you’ll do:
- Apply for local and national grants.
- Share updates and input on future plans.
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee.
- And of course—let us know your favourite cake or biscuit!
Training and support provided. Help us unlock more opportunities for young people.
Parent members
Support the journey – become a Parent Member
Are you keen to lend a hand and share your perspective as a parent? Woodseats Explorers need supportive voices on our Executive Committee to help guide decisions and represent families.
What you’ll do:
- Bring a parent’s insight to trustee discussions.
- Share feedback from families to help us improve.
- Be a sounding board for ideas and future plans.
What we ask:
- A couple of hours in person every 2 months.
- Willingness to contribute your perspective and ideas.
- And of course—let us know your favourite cake or biscuit!
Training and support provided. Help us shape the Explorer experience for all young people.
So what exactly is being a trustee all about?
When and where do we meet, and what happens?
Our Trustee Board will meet every 2 months at The Unit. Expect to be greeted by friendly, smiling faces, cups of tea/coffee, and of course those all important cakes and biscuits.
We then run through a set agenda with a reports from the following re the last 8 weeks, and anything they want to happen in the future: Chairperson, Explorers, Treasurer, Vehicles, Hire, Fundraising. It only takes about an hour, depending on what we need to discuss and agree on.
What exactly is a trustee?
Trustees are a team of volunteers who see the big picture, make decisions, and work together to help Woodseats Explorers run smoothly.
Trustees play a key part in Woodseats Explorers, and keep an eye on our vision. They make sure young people have the best experience at Explorers, and check things are being done safely and legally.
Trustees support leaders to deliver a fantastic programme, while having a laugh, making new friends, and learning new skills themselves.
What do trustees do?
Explore the 8 roles we’re recruiting for – you’ll find them at the bottom of this page.
If any of these sound like you, you could make a brilliant trustee:
- You care about giving young people the chance to gain skills for life.
- You enjoy working with others and being part of a team.
- You’re creative or like finding solutions to challenges.
- You’re organised and keep things on track.
- You listen to different perspectives before making decisions.
- You’d like to play a bigger part in your local community.
- You’ve led a project before (great, but not essential).
- Most importantly – you have Explorers’ best interests at heart and want to help them progress.
No previous trustee or Scouting experience is needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. We’ll provide training, guidance and plenty of support along the way.
How will being a trustee benefit me?
Being a trustee isn’t just about you helping Woodseats Explorers, it’s about Woodseats Explorers helping you, too.
Here’s some of the benefits of being a trustee…
- It’ll boost your employability – having a Scouts role on your CV is bound to impress employers and universities
- It’s flexible and can fit around your schedule
- You’ll learn new skills
- You’ll make new friends
- It’s an ideal way to volunteer if you’d like to help at Woodseats Explorers, but camping or running activities for young people isn’t for you
- It’s great for your mental health – by helping a brilliant cause, you’ll get an amazing sense of achievement
- You’ll work as a team – if you’ve got exams, a busy week at work or a holiday coming up, there’ll be people to help
- There’s so much you can do from the comfort of your own home or favourite workspace
- There’s plenty of friendly faces to support you at every step of your trustee journey
- If you’ve got time on your hands, it’s an opportunity to put your valuable experience and life skills into practice
- You’ll be offered training as part of your induction
How will being a trustee help me develop?
The skills you’ll gain are endless, and there’s so many things about being a trustee that’ll help you grow.
You’ll have the opportunity to…
- Develop your decision-making skills
- Listen to different opinions and work together towards a common goal
- Organise things and do necessary admin – a perfect head-start for office-based jobs
- Manage money – ideal if you’re looking for a career in finance, and want some experience with numbers
- Work in your community – a stand-out section of any CV that’s bound to impress
- Build your knowledge in a youth organisation – this is great if you’re hoping to get into third sector work
- Socialise – enjoyable, but also a great skill
Who we’re looking for
Check out the 6 roles we’re looking for, at the bottom of this page.
If you’ve got any of the below qualities, we think you’ll make a brilliant trustee…
- You’re interested in helping young people get skills for life
- You don’t mind working with and talking to other people
- You’re a bit creative, or like to find solutions to problems
- You like being organised
- You like hearing what other people have to say
- You’d like to be more active in your local community
If you’ve helped lead a project before, this’ll really help you, but we’re not expecting you to have any prior experience.
You don’t need to have been in Scouts before, either – it’s fine if you’re completely new.
How much time will I need to give?
Being a trustee is flexible – the time you give depends on the role you take on.
Typically, trustees meet every two months, with just a few extra hours here and there when needed.
It’s always a team effort at Woodseats Explorers, so you’ll be working alongside other supportive trustees to share the load and get things done together.
Not too sure yet?
If you’re curious but not sure it’s for you, drop Sid a message at sid@woodseatsexplorers.org.uk.
You’re welcome to come along to a meeting and see what it’s all about before deciding.
There are plenty of ways to get involved as a trustee, and we’ll help you find the role that suits your skills and interests best.
We understand life is busy – whether you’re studying, working, parenting, or juggling other hobbies – which is why being a trustee is flexible and designed to fit around your schedule.
