Did you know that less than 3% of charity trustees are under 30? We’re partnering with the Young Trustees Movement to change that by promoting young trusteeships and talking to members of the LSE community who already are a young trustee! We caught up with two of our students, Dan and Inka to find out more about their experience as trustees at two different organisations.
Daniel Lawes (BSc International Relations and History, 2022) 
“Joining the charity Young Manchester as a trustee has been one of the highlights of my year. The work of the charity encompasses two areas which I am incredibly passionate about: supporting young people and my home city of Manchester.
On a personal note, becoming a trustee has provided unrivalled opportunities for personal development. The role has enabled me to develop key skills in governance, teamwork and leadership that will be transferable in a professional setting. It has provided me with an opportunity to grow my network across multiple sectors and most importantly, make a difference to the community that I grew up in.
As young people, we have so much to offer to the world of trusteeship and charity governance. We are able to bring new and innovative ideas to the boardroom and ensure that charities are truly able to reflect the interests of the communities that they seek to serve. Charities are finally starting to acknowledge these tremendous benefits of appointing young trustees, so there is no better time to get involved.
To any student at LSE considering joining a charity as a trustee – I say go for it. At a time in which we have never needed charities more, we have never needed your voice more.”
Inka Pearson (BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics 2021) 
“I became a student trustee for the LSE Students’ Union at the end of my second year. I decided to run for this position because I was interested in how the SU was run and how it supported its members. In my second year on the Board I also became Chair of the Audit and Risk Subcommittee. I have learnt so much – from the basics of how meetings are run and how to chair a meeting to the more difficult conversations and decisions about the SU’s future strategy and aims. I highly recommend getting involved in the governance of your SU as it gives you a new perspective on university life. I have met some incredible people and developed a number of skills that I will take with me beyond my time as a student at LSE and without a doubt use in my working life!“
If we’ve inspired you to become a Young Trustee, take a look at the opportunities available on the Young Trustees Movement vacancy board. Looking for other volunteering opportunities? Check out one of our other 200+ ongoing opportunities or book a one-to-one with David Coles, the Volunteer Centre Manager if you have more questions. If you are short on time, then take a look at the one-off opportunities that will return for Michaelmas Term 2021, organised by the LSE Volunteer Centre. And why not follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with our events and opportunities and read our blog for more volunteering tips and stories.
