Next week from the 3-7 November we will mark Trustees Week.
At Jimmy’s Cambridge, our trustees are the heartbeat of the organisation. They volunteer their time, skills, and expertise to ensure that our charity continues to support people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge. As we mark Trustees’ Week 2025, we want to celebrate the incredible contribution of our trustees and share insights from our 2024 Trustee Roundtable.
What Does a Trustee Do?
A charity trustee is a volunteer who helps lead and manage a charity, ensuring it operates in the public interest. Trustees guide strategic direction, safeguard financial health, and help make tough decisions—all while respecting the dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver our day-to-day services.
As Aiden, one of our trustees, explains:
“I wasn’t concerned about taking on legal responsibility because Jimmy’s is a well-run organisation with strong governance. Being part of a diverse board provides reassurance that we cover all bases together.”
Vicki, another trustee, adds:
“It can feel daunting at first, but training and experience help. Anyone with life experience or a passion for the cause can contribute—different skills and perspectives are all valuable.”
Meet Our Trustees
Our board of trustees brings together people from a wide range of backgrounds — from health and housing to finance, technology, and charity leadership. Each trustee volunteers their time and expertise to guide Jimmy’s, helping ensure we remain sustainable, compassionate, and effective in our mission to support people experiencing homelessness.
You can learn more about each of our trustees and the skills they bring on our Meet Our Trustees page.
Together, they exemplify the power of diverse skills and collective insight in strengthening our organisation.
The Challenges Trustees Navigate
Being a trustee comes with responsibilities and challenges. Balancing strategic oversight with respecting staff autonomy is key. As Alok explains:
“We aim to help more people, but expansion must be sustainable. It’s about responsible stewardship of resources for the next 3–5 years—not just the immediate future.”
Funding pressures are another challenge. Lawrence highlights:
“Costs are rising, and demand is growing. We have to make tough choices to ensure funds are spent strategically and efficiently, always putting the charity and its beneficiaries first.”
Trustees also play a critical role in measuring impact. Vicki notes:
“Impact is about both statistics and stories. Understanding the journey of each resident—from homelessness to stability—helps us improve services and communicate effectively with supporters.”
Our Trustees dedication ensures that Jimmy’s continues to be more than just a bed—providing support, care, and hope to everyone who walks through our doors.
How You Can Get Involved
Trustees, staff, and volunteers alike play a crucial role in keeping Jimmy’s thriving. Whether you’re inspired to join our board, volunteer, or support our fundraising efforts, there are ways for everyone to contribute.
Visit www.jimmyscambridge.org.uk to explore opportunities to make a difference.
