Trustees' Week 2026: A message from the Chief Charity Commissioner
This week (9-13 November) marks Trustees' Week 2026, a time to celebrate and recognise the incredible contribution of charity trustees across Northern Ireland.
While charities are often recognised for the services they offer, or for the work of their staff and volunteers, trustees play a vital role behind the scenes.
They are responsible for managing their charity and making sure it does what it was set up to do. They help make key decisions, oversee how the charity is run and ensure its work benefits the public. It is an important role that comes with significant responsibility.
In my role as Chief Commissioner, I have the privilege of meeting trustees from charities of all sizes across Northern Ireland. Some are involved with small, community-based organisations run entirely by volunteers, while others help oversee large charities with substantial staff teams and complex operations.
What I also see time and again is that people become trustees for many different reasons (see our Trustees voices blog for some examples). Some want to give back to a cause that has made a difference in their lives or the lives of those close to them. Others are motivated by a desire to support their community and use their skills and experience for the benefit of others. For many, trusteeship also offers an opportunity to develop new skills and gain valuable experience in leadership and governance.
Recently, I spoke to a new trustee who volunteered for the role simply because she was asked. Although she had considered becoming a trustee before, she wasn't sure where to start, how to choose a charity or whether her skills would be useful. When approached by a charity whose trustee numbers had fallen, she decided to take the opportunity and quickly discovered that her experience and perspective were both valued and needed.
Her story is a reminder that many people underestimate what they can bring to a trustee board. Charities benefit from a wide range of skills, backgrounds and experiences, and there is no single "type" of person who becomes a trustee.
I have also seen people come into a trustee role somewhat apprehensively and discover a real sense of purpose. Some may have felt their experience or background had little to offer, only to find themselves helping to shape a charity's future, oversee finances, make strategic decisions and contribute to positive change in their communities.
Trustees may come from different walks of life and bring different experiences to the boardroom, but they share a common purpose: helping their charity to thrive, remain true to its aims and continue serving its beneficiaries.
On behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank every charity trustee for their commitment, dedication and service. And to anyone considering becoming a trustee, I encourage you to explore the opportunities available. Your skills, experience and enthusiasm could make a real difference.
If you're interested in learning more, the Commission's Running your charity guides are a useful starting point. They explain the role of trustees, the responsibilities involved and how trustees help charities deliver for the people and communities they support.
Gerard McCurdy
Chief Commissioner
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
Published: 9 November 2026