Trustee Volunteer

Overview

CAEB seeks trustees to help guide our charity as demand for advice grows across East Berkshire. You’ll shape strategy, ensure good governance and support our team so we can remain a vital lifeline for people facing debt, housing and cost‑of‑living challenges.

What difference will you make?

Becoming a trustee at Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB) is an opportunity to make a direct and lasting difference to the lives of people across Bracknell Forest, Windsor & Maidenhead and Slough. Every decision you help shape will strengthen a charity that provides free, impartial and confidential advice to thousands of residents who are struggling with debt, poverty, housing issues and the rising cost of living.

At a time when demand for our services continues to grow, trustees play a vital role in ensuring we can be there for the people who need us most.

As a trustee, you will help steer the overall direction of CAEB and ensure we remain financially sound, legally compliant and true to our mission of providing trusted advice at times of change. Your strategic insight will help us deliver advice that is fit for the future, close the gaps experienced by marginalised communities, and intervene early so that fewer people fall into crisis.

By supporting the development, scrutiny and delivery of our organisational strategy, you will help us expand our reach and impact across a population of almost 450,000 residents.

Your contribution will also strengthen the culture and effectiveness of the organisation. Trustees provide support and challenge to the CEO and senior team, helping ensure that staff and volunteers have the clarity, structure and resources they need to deliver high‑quality services. You will help maintain healthy boundaries between governance and operations while promoting good teamwork, openness, equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

You will also play a part in recruiting and inducting new board members and, when needed, senior leadership—shaping the talent and capability of CAEB for years to come.

Trustees at CAEB also take the lead oversight role for a specific organisational area. Your insight ensures that we meet all regulatory and quality‑assurance expectations, remain ‘assessment‑ready’, uphold mandatory policies and stay aligned with national Citizens Advice best practice. This leadership ensures the board has the right assurance to protect our service users and strengthen our reputation as a trusted local charity.

As an ambassador for CAEB in meetings, events or online, you will help raise awareness of our work and champion our role as the local lifeline for people facing hardship. Your time, skills and independent judgement will help us keep people safe, informed and supported when they have nowhere else to turn.

We’re looking for trustees who care deeply about improving people’s lives and want to help strengthen a vital local advice charity. You don’t need previous trustee experience — we value commitment, curiosity and good judgement just as much as technical skills.

Our ideal trustee is someone who

Personal qualities

• Communicates clearly and is confident contributing to discussion
• Thinks strategically and exercises good, independent judgement
• Works well as part of a team — collaborative, supportive, inclusive and humble
• Is open‑minded, willing to learn and comfortable challenging constructively
• Is committed to the aims of Citizens Advice and acting in CAEB’s best interests
• Upholds our values around equity, diversity and inclusion

Experience And Skills

We welcome a wide range of professional and lived experience. The most helpful skills include

• Ability to understand financial information (with support from our Treasurer)
• Experience contributing to strategy, governance, risk or policy work
• Insight into supporting staff and volunteers, including through periods of change
• Experience in regulated environments, quality assurance or compliance
• Ability to understand boundaries between governance and operational work
• Confidence representing an organisation externally or acting as an ambassador

Lived Experience

We particularly welcome people who

• Have used advice…