Meet the Trustees Behind Henley Youth Centre
A Charity Run by Neighbours, Not a Head Office
Henley Youth Centre has no distant regional office and no anonymous board recruited from far away. The people who decide how the charity is run are local residents who live in the same streets, shop in the same market square and send their own children to the same schools as the young people who walk through our doors.
That is not a coincidence. It is the founding principle of the charity. Our trustees are volunteers from Henley and the surrounding villages, and they give their time because they believe the town is stronger when its young people have somewhere safe, warm and welcoming to go.
Who Sits Around the Table
Between them, the current board brings together more than sixty years of experience in youth work, finance, education, safeguarding and community fundraising. Some trustees have served for a decade. Others joined in the past year, bringing fresh energy and new questions.
- A retired teacher who once taught at a local secondary school.
- A small business owner from the high street.
- A parent of two teenagers who use the centre every week.
- A chartered accountant who keeps our books in order.
- A former youth worker who now trains volunteers.
Every trustee is a volunteer. Nobody takes a salary, and nobody claims expenses unless they genuinely need to. The money saved goes directly into sessions, equipment and staff hours.
What the Role Actually Involves
Trustees are often imagined as people who simply attend meetings. In reality, the role is far more hands-on. Board members help set the annual budget, review safeguarding policies, apply for grants and represent the charity at town events.
They also do less glamorous jobs. On any given week, a trustee may be counting donations, fixing a broken kettle or standing at the door on a Friday night so that a youth worker can focus on the young people inside.
- Review the charity's finances and approve the annual budget.
- Ensure safeguarding and health and safety policies are up to date.
- Support fundraising events and speak to local businesses.
- Listen to feedback from young people and their families.
The structure matters because it keeps decision-making close to the community. When a young person tells a trustee that the music room needs new equipment, that request does not disappear into a distant system. It is discussed at the next meeting.
Why They Keep Coming Back
Ask trustees why they volunteer and the answers are refreshingly practical. They talk about the teenager who found confidence in a drama group, the sibling who stopped worrying about a brother's after-school hours, and the quiet pride of seeing a grant application approved after months of work.
"I joined because someone once gave my own children a place to belong. This is how I pay that back."
That sense of reciprocity runs through the whole board. Several trustees first encountered the centre as parents or as young people themselves. They remember what it offered them, and they want the next generation to have the same chance.
Governance in Plain Numbers
Transparency is central to how the board works. The charity's annual accounts are published, and the trustees welcome questions from the community. The table below gives a simple snapshot of the current board.
| Role | Number of Trustees | Typical Time Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | 1 | 6 to 8 hours per month |
| Treasurer | 1 | 4 to 6 hours per month |
| Safeguarding Lead | 1 | 3 to 5 hours per month |
| General Trustees | 6 | 2 to 4 hours per month |
The board meets formally six times a year, with additional working groups for fundraising, buildings and youth voice. Minutes are shared with members, and young people are invited to present their views at least twice a year.
Could You Be Next?
The centre is always looking for local people who care about Henley's young residents. You do not need a background in charity law or accounting. Enthusiasm, reliability and a connection to the town matter more than a formal CV.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a trustee, or if you simply want to understand how the charity is governed, please get in touch. The doors of the youth centre stay open because local people keep them open, and there is always room for one more pair of hands.
