Explore the most common FAQs we receive.
Still have questions?
Explore the most common FAQs we receive.
Still have questions?
Explore the most common FAQs we receive.
Young people who have a sibling with additional support needs.
Young people who are receiving support through CAMHS or another mental health service.
Young people who have chaotic lifestyles or home environments.
Still have questions?
Explore the most common FAQs we receive.
You can become a trustee from the age of 16, although unincorporated charitable organisations may require individuals to be 18. Ideally, your skills, knowledge and experience should match the post. You cannot be a trustee if you have been disqualified from a previous trusteeship unless the charity commission has waived this disqualification.
The governing document of each charity can impose other restrictions, for example, certain locality or religious denomination, but these restrictions must comply with the Equality Act 2010. You must be a fit and proper person, which is presumed unless HMRC holds information which proves the contrary, and you should undertake a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
As trustee, you will always have to act in the charity’s best interest and make clear any conflicts of interest you may have. You must also:
- Manage the charity’s resources responsibly and implement financial controls if needed
- Act with reasonable care and skill by getting appropriate guidance and advice
- Attend trustee meetings
- Comply with governing documents and the law
- Ensure that the charity is carrying out its purposes for public benefit as set out in its governing document
Still have questions?
Explore the most common FAQs we receive.
Do you have a specific project to deliver in a set timescale?
Will the charity be an ongoing long-term venture?
Where will you operate from?
Will you have premises?
Will you work in a specific location or across various local authorities?
If your application is successful a contact address will need to go on the Scottish Charity Register. This can be:
a) the address of the principal office of the charity or,
b) if the charity does not have a principal office the name and address of one of the charity trustees.
If you are a SCIO this address must be in Scotland.
Do you have a team ready to be charity trustees?
A charity needs people to run it. All charities must have charity trustees; some charities have members, staff and/or volunteers.
The role of a charity trustee is similar to the director of a company – they might not do all the day to day work but they are the people who are legally responsible for the charity.
Certain people are disqualified from acting as charity trustees. However, OSCR have the power to waive a disqualification if a person applies to us and meets the relevant criteria.
Those who are disqualified are:
- someone with an unspent conviction for dishonesty or an offence under the 2005 Act
- someone who is an undischarged bankrupt or has a Protected Trust Deed to pay off debts with creditors
- someone who has been removed under either Scottish or English Law from being a charity trustee
- someone who is disqualified from being a company director
Acting in the interests of the charity.
Acting with care and diligence.
Preparing and submitting accounts every year.
Providing information to the public.
Assets can include: Premises, like an office / Equipment / Vehicles
Costs can include: Utilities / Taxes / Rent / Licences / Insurance / Salaries / Pensions
Still have questions?
Explore the most common FAQs we receive.
Apart from the Community Volunteer Award, nominations are usually made by local third or public sector workers. This would include (but is not restricted to):
- A volunteer co-ordinator or other member of staff from a local charity
- A member of staff from East Lothian Council who has worked with volunteers
- An elected member of East Lothian Council
- The Chair or an office bearer of a local community council
- The manager of a local development trust or social enterprise
- A charity trustee or board member
- An NHS worker who has worked with volunteers
- A teacher who has worked with volunteers
If you’re a member of the public and want to nominate for any category other than the ‘Community Volunteer Award’ (which has a more flexible nomination process), the best thing to do is approach one of the people from the list noted above and chat with them about the possibility of submitting a nomination jointly. If you are unsure about the nominations process please get in touch with Volunteer East Lothian to discuss further.
We recognise that volunteering can occur informally and isn’t always linked to a local charity or voluntary association. This is certainly true for a lot of the volunteering that happened during the pandemic.
If you live in East Lothian and want to nominate somebody for the Community Volunteer Award you must provide details for at least one local charity or public sector worker (from the list in the answer above) who is willing to support your nomination. We recommend that you let people know that you plan to nominate them. We will then contact the ‘referee’ separately to verify the nomination before contacting the nominee.
If you need help with making a nomination in this category, please get in touch as we can assist. events@volunteereastlothian.org.uk, or 01875 615 423
Nominations can be made by completing an online form on this website. The nomination form is open a few months before the ceremony, please sign up to our newsletter below to be notified of when it’s open.
You’ll find the deadline for nominations at the top of the form.
If you need help with making a nomination in this category, please get in touch as we can assist. events@volunteereastlothian.org.uk, or 01875 615 423
Still have questions?
