The contributions of trustees in the charity sector are being celebrated by a Wiltshire organisation this week.

Trustees' Week, which runs from November 4 to 8, acknowledges the voluntary contributions of nearly one million trustees across the UK.

The focus this year is on the importance of diverse perspectives within trustee boards, highlighting how a blend of backgrounds, skills, and experiences can bolster the resilience of organisations.

Wessex Community Action, the council for voluntary services in the county, said trustees are integral to the operation of charities, helping to set goals and ensure organisations run legally and in service of their communities.

Their strategic thinking and leadership help charities to overcome challenges, manage risks, and seize opportunities.

It said a diversity of perspectives within a trustee board can also prevent "groupthink" by ensuring a wider range of views are considered when making key decisions.

Annali Bamber-Jones has been a trustee for two years at Trowbridge Youth, which supports disadvantaged families, young people, and rough sleepers by providing food, advice, and youth projects.

She has used her HR experience to help strengthen the charity’s employment processes and offer strategic guidance.

Ms Bamber-Jones, who is a researcher development manager at the University of Bath, said: "I'm neurodiverse and that means you're quite good at challenging groupthink.

"If that diversity is welcomed, you've got a different mix of skills and ideas to other people."

She emphasised the need for boards to make volunteering as a trustee accessible by simplifying processes.

She said: "We've got to challenge ourselves as trustees to make places welcoming and not just assume that people know what we're talking about.

"We need to try and help people if we want to have a more diverse group of people on boards in the future."

Ms Bamber-Jones also spoke about the personal satisfaction and development that comes with being a trustee.

"I grew up in an area where there was a lot of deprivation so for me it's a chance to use my skills in a positive way," she said.

"I'm quite aware I had a really good education and I've got great family support so it's about giving something into society."

She added: "What's really good about it is it exposes you to that senior boardroom that you don't necessarily get at work.

"You learn about financial decision making and risk and lots of operational aspects of running an organisation, from safeguarding through to health and safety.

"It's a great way of developing your leadership skills and seeing the bigger picture.

“If you're interested in leading and progressing your own career, the fact that you've been a trustee and you've been exposed to that kind of level of decision making can be really helpful.”

Wessex Community Action, which provides practical support for community organisations in Wiltshire, works with charities and groups to support their trustees.

It offers support on funding, governance, planning, policy development, recruiting and leadership.

It also delivers training to help trustees understand their volunteer roles and responsibilities.

Wiltshire Together, a digital community platform hosted by Wessex Community Action, highlights trustee opportunities.

Free to use, it allows users to browse and pledge interest for the opportunities listed, and now has a new Volunteering in Wiltshire page.

Users can also set up a member profile that allows them to log their volunteer hours, which can help with CVs and employability prospects.

For more information about trustee training and support or the volunteering support Wessex Community Action can offer, people can contact Abby Lynch at info@wessexcommunityaction.org.uk.