1. Introduction

Welcome to Giving Back Generation (“GBG”, “we”, “our”, or “us”). As a Trustee, you play a vital leadership role in guiding the charity, protecting its values, and ensuring our work delivers real public benefit. This handbook outlines your responsibilities, legal duties, powers, and the standards of good governance expected of all GBG Trustees.

2. Who Can Become a Trustee?

To become a Trustee, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Support GBG’s mission, vision, and charitable objects.
• Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and a commitment to public benefit.
• Not be disqualified under the Charities Act 2011 (e.g., due to bankruptcy or certain criminal convictions).

3. The Trustee’s Legal Duties

As a Trustee, you must at all times:

• Act only in the best interests of GBG and its beneficiaries.
• Carry out GBG’s charitable purposes for public benefit, not for private gain.
• Comply with GBG’s governing document (Articles of Association) and the law.
• Manage resources responsibly and with financial prudence.
• Act with reasonable care and skill, seeking external advice when necessary.
• Ensure GBG is accountable—reporting accurately to the Charity Commission, Companies House, and all stakeholders.
• Avoid and declare conflicts of interest, and never use your position for personal benefit.

For more detail, Trustees must read and understand the Charity Commission’s CC3 guidance: The Essential Trustee.

4. Core Trustee Responsibilities

4.1 Strategic Oversight

• Set and review GBG’s mission, strategic direction, and objectives.
• Approve major projects, budgets, policies, and risk management plans.
• Monitor GBG’s performance against goals and make sure activities remain aligned with charitable purposes.

4.2 Good Governance

• Attend regular trustee meetings, prepare thoroughly, and contribute actively.
• Review and update key governance documents (Articles, policies, risk registers).
• Ensure GBG operates within the law and adheres to best practices.

4.3 Financial Management

• Approve annual budgets, accounts, and financial statements.
• Ensure funds are only used for GBG’s charitable aims and in accordance with donor wishes.
• Monitor financial health and ensure GBG remains solvent.
• Maintain appropriate reserves, as per Charity Commission guidance on reserves.

4.4 Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure timely submission of annual returns, reports, and accounts to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Oversee compliance with data protection, safeguarding, fundraising, health and safety, and employment law.
• Cooperate with regulatory bodies and respond to any investigations as required.

5. Safeguarding, Public Protection, and Beneficiary Welfare

• Trustees are collectively responsible for the safety and welfare of all beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, and anyone who comes into contact with GBG, as per Charity Commission safeguarding guidance and the 10 key safeguarding actions for trustees.
• Trustees must:
  • Regularly review and update safeguarding policies and risk assessments.
  • Ensure all those delivering activities are appropriately skilled, trained, and DBS-checked (if working with children/vulnerable adults).
  • Record all safeguarding decisions and activities.

6. Fundraising, Cost Control, and Financial Prudence

• All fundraising must comply with Charity Commission CC20, the Code of Fundraising Practice, and UK law.
• Trustees must:
  • Plan, monitor, and justify the costs of fundraising events—costs must not outweigh, or be unreasonably disproportionate to, the funds raised.
  • Ensure all fundraising activities are ethical, transparent, and protect the rights and wellbeing of donors, supporters, and beneficiaries.
  • Oversee how donations are solicited, processed, acknowledged, and reported.

7. Partnership Working, Due Diligence, and Agreements

• Trustees must conduct due diligence on all partners, sponsors, and significant suppliers.
• All major partnerships must be governed by written agreements, per Charity Commission Compliance Toolkit, that set out:
  • Scope and expectations
  • Safeguarding and risk standards
  • Roles, obligations, and oversight
• Trustees must retain sufficient control, review, and, if necessary, terminate agreements to protect GBG’s mission and reputation.

8. Beneficiary Selection and Public Benefit

• Trustees are responsible for ensuring that all support (financial or otherwise) is delivered only to eligible beneficiaries, with clear criteria and proper records.
• Trustees should not rely solely on self-declarations; eligibility for assistance must be checked and documented.

9. Powers and Decision-Making

Trustees may:

• Manage and direct GBG’s operations, delegating as appropriate but retaining overall accountability.
• Approve major decisions, contracts, and staffing appointments.
• Propose amendments to the Articles, subject to member approval.
• Remove or co-opt Trustees, following due process.

10. Code of Conduct for Trustees

Trustees must:

• Act honestly, transparently, and accountably at all times.
• Respect diversity and create an inclusive environment.
• Avoid, declare, and manage conflicts of interest.
• Uphold all GBG policies, especially on safeguarding, data protection, and equality.
• Breaches may lead to removal, following a fair process.

11. Induction, Training, and Ongoing Development

• All new Trustees will receive a full induction covering GBG’s mission, governance, legal duties, safeguarding, and key policies.
• Trustees are expected to undertake regular training (at least annually) on governance, safeguarding, and regulatory changes.

12. Becoming a Trustee

Volunteers active with GBG for six months or more may apply to become Trustees. The process includes:

• Submission of an application outlining your experience and motivation.
• Assessment by the current Board and Members.
• Approval by majority vote of Trustees and Members.

13. Resignation or Removal

A Trustee may cease to hold office if they:

• Resign in writing to the Board.
• Are removed by a majority of Members or Trustees for failure to fulfil their duties or for serious misconduct.
• Become disqualified under the Charities Act 2011 or by law.

14. Trustee Contact and Support

• Contact the Trustees at: trustee@givingbackgeneration.org.uk
• For all governance questions, contact: contact@givingbackgeneration.org.uk

Thank you for your dedication. By following this handbook and the Charity Commission’s guidance, you help GBG empower communities and deliver lasting public benefit—safely, legally, and effectively.

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