Are you thinking or becoming a Trustee, but would like to learn more before you do? 

Or are you already a Trustee, but would like to develop your knowledge further? 

If the answer is yes, the Trustee Academy could be what you’re looking for!

The next Smile Trustee Academy Programme starts on Thursday 14 September and runs through to Thursday 30 November (avoiding October half term). 

Sessions are delivered online every Thursday 17:30 – 19:30 via Zoom.

Tessa Wray, Partnerships Manager at HEY Smile Foundation, said: "Thanks to the kind sponsorship from Smailes Goldie, we’re able to offer places free of charge to the Trustee Academy. 

"If you have some time to give back to a charity but are undecided how that looks, whether a trustee role, other volunteering, fundraising etc. I am more than happy to have a conversation with you to explore further."

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, with a maximum of 12 places per cohort. 

Over 80% of charities registered to benefit from Smile services highlighted the need for new Trustees to join their charity. This reflects the level of the national Trustee crisis with a significant lack of new Trustees entering the sector.

Since its launch in 2018 and thanks to the continued sponsorship from Smailes Goldie Accountants, we have been able to deliver 11 Trustee Academy cohorts, seeing over 80 individuals complete the programme.

Steve Bramall, Partner at Smailes Goldie said: “Smailes Goldie Group has proudly supported the Trustee Academy from its launch in 2018. Our charities team work with over 80 charities and appreciate the need for good governance and quality trustees for our local charities. 

"Through our support of the Trustee Academy we continue to champion ‘giving back’ to the area by helping prepare those interested in finding out more about the role and responsibilities of trustees. Ultimately, increasing the number and quality of trustees helps those organisations we work alongside and the communities we are part of.”

Please contact Tessa Wray on tw@heysmilefoundation.org or call 01482 590270 to book a place or to find out more.