National Trustees' Week provides a wonderful opportunity not only to celebrate the contribution trustees make to our communities, but also to recognise the dedication, commitment, and leadership they bring to the organisations they serve. Read on for five ways that you can support your trustees
Trustees generously give their time, expertise, and energy to support causes they care deeply about. Alongside their trustee responsibilities, many balance careers, family commitments, caring responsibilities, and other voluntary roles. In a rapidly changing environment, trustees often contribute to important decisions about finances, risk, staffing, service delivery, and the long-term sustainability of their organisations.
While these responsibilities can be rewarding, they can also be demanding. Making complex decisions over time can lead to decision fatigue – the mental tiredness that can arise when navigating multiple priorities and challenges. During periods of uncertainty, organisational change, or financial pressure, trustees often feel a strong sense of responsibility towards the people and communities their charities support.
This is why trustee wellbeing is so important.
Healthy and effective boards are built on supportive relationships, shared responsibility, open communication, and a culture where trustees feel comfortable asking questions, seeking advice, and contributing their perspectives. Chairs and board leaders have a valuable opportunity to foster environments where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to participate fully.
Five ways to support trustees
Supporting trustee wellbeing does not require large budgets or complex initiatives. Often, small changes can make a meaningful difference.
Regularly review board culture and effectiveness
Purposeful, well-structured meetings that focus on strategic priorities can help trustees use their time effectively and support better decision-making. Clear agendas, timely circulation of papers, opportunities for all voices to be heard, and regular reviews of board workload can all contribute to a positive board experience.Celebrate achievements and recognise contributions
Reflecting on your board’s impact can also strengthen motivation and board cohesion.Offer opportunities for training, connection and support
Board reviews, trustee inductions, mentoring, buddy programmes, training opportunities, and informal conversations can help build confidence and foster a positive and psychologically safe culture. Chairs play an important role in encouraging healthy discussion, sharing responsibilities appropriately, and creating space for trustees to raise questions or concerns. Learning, networking, and peer support can further help trustees feel connected, informed, and resilient in their role. Invest in trustee induction, training, and development.Create a culture of belonging and mutual respect
When trustees feel welcomed, valued, listened to, and able to contribute authentically, boards benefit from stronger relationships, greater engagement, and more effective decision-making. Inclusive board cultures that embrace diverse perspectives and encourage respectful challenge can help build trust, strengthen collaboration, and create an environment where all trustees feel they belong and can thrive.Maintain an appropriate number of trustees and plan for succession
A board that is too small can place additional pressure on individual trustees and increase the risk of burnout. Regular succession planning, skills reviews, and proactive trustee recruitment can help ensure boards have the capacity, diversity, and expertise needed to govern effectively while sharing responsibilities more evenly across the team.
After all, trustee resilience is not about carrying every responsibility alone. It is about working collaboratively, drawing on the collective skills and experience of the board, and supporting one another to achieve the organisation’s goals.
As we celebrate Trustees’ Week, it is worth recognising the enormous value trustees bring to charities and communities every day. Strong trustees help charities thrive, and positive board cultures help trustees feel supported, connected, and empowered to make a lasting difference.
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