15 trustees from local charitable organisations came together for a celebratory afternoon tea on Tuesday 4 November in recognition for the contribution they make across York.
Thanks to the generosity of a local donor, York CVS, who support voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in York, hosted the event at The Grand, York and welcomed Trustees from the following charitable organisations:
- Age UK York
- Breast Friends York
- Emerging Voices
- The Groves Association
- Healthwatch York
- Shopmobility York
- St Leonard’s Hospice
- The Wilberforce Trust
- York Common Good Trust
- York CVS
- Yorkshire Philosophical Society
The event was held during Trustees’ Week (3-7 November) – providing an opportunity to come together and celebrate the achievements of nearly one million trustees across the UK, including the many dedicated individuals right here in York.
Trustees are often the unsung heroes of local charities and voluntary groups, quietly giving their time, skills and energy to help organisations thrive. Whether steering a small community group through a challenging year, driving innovation within a growing charity, or offering expert support and guidance, trustees’ dedication makes a real difference.
Alison Semmence, Chief Executive at York CVS, said:
“Trustees are at the heart of every charity – large or small. They ensure organisations meet their legal and financial obligations while staying true to their charitable purpose. They give generously of their time, expertise, and energy, and most of them do so as unpaid volunteers. That generosity is the foundation of our sector.
We were delighted to host this event to recognise their invaluable contribution, sharing their stories and inspiring others to step forward into trustee roles.”
During the Afternoon Tea celebration, we heard from some of the Trustees who told us what it meant to them and shared their advice with anyone thinking about becoming a Trustee.
Janet Dale, Trustee at Shopmobility York, said,
“The best thing about being a Trustee really, is that it gives me a purpose. Now that I am retired, I really need something I can get my teeth into and knowing how difficult it can be for some people, it helps and encourages them (to be a part of something).”
David Harbourne, Chair at York Philosophical Society has been a Trustee for many organisations over the past 25 years, he shares his wisdom and states:
“Don’t worry if you have never been a Trustee before, I think that very thought can put people off, but it really shouldn’t.”
“As long as you bring your experience of the world and a bit of common sense you will be able to contribute… and there is no such thing as a daft question!”
Jenny Collieson, Vice Chair at Age UK York, said,
“It can be quite a commitment, time wise, but it’s also very good to feel a part of a team, and I like the problem solving”
“If you have a particular skill, which might be a soft skill, it doesn’t have to be an accountant (or something like that), it’s about how can I use that to deliver something for this organisation.”
Top image shows the Trustees from the Celebrating York’s Outstanding Trustees 2025 event.
L-R Tim Brooks, Juliette Healey, Janet Dale, Stuart Roberts, Sally Harris, Lucy Hart, Jenny Collieson, Janet Wright, Tom Bellerby, Alison Semmence, Simon Thomson, Beth Wallace, Colin Aspinall, David Harbourne, Catherine Brophy, Laurie Farnell, Lyn Langford.
Bottom image shows a collection of photographs take during the event, including a three tier cake stand with cakes and sandwiches, a historic room with wooden panelling and parque flooring and a close up of an envelope with a message reading ‘Just for you’.