Young Trustee Pathway Programme

Want to build your leadership skills and make a difference in Rochdale? 

We’re looking for 18–30 year olds who live or work in Rochdale and want to develop their skills, grow their networks and support charities in Rochdale Borough. 

Around 1% of charity trustees are aged under 30 which means that young adults are underrepresented on boards where diversity of perspective is essential. Rochdale's Cultural Education Partnership is working with Young Trustees Movement to help more young adults join charity boards with confidence and support. 

Our Young Trustee Pathway Programme is a free opportunity to learn what it means to become a trustee and gain first-hand experience of how organisations are led and strategic decisions are made. 

You don’t need any previous Board or charity experience. We’re interested in hearing from young adults working across all kinds of sectors, industries and professions who are curious, keen to learn and would like to use their skills to make a difference. 

Through the programme, you will: 

• Take part in three training sessions with Young Trustees Movement, covering the basics of governance, charity finances and what makes a great Board. 
• Shadow a Board meeting and see governance in action. 
• Develop your understanding of leadership, strategic thinking and decision-making. 
• Meet people working across Rochdale and grow your professional network. 
• Get support to find trustee vacancies and other opportunities to continue developing your skills and experience. 

Participants will need to attend all three training sessions, on the dates below: 

• Wednesday 18 November 6 – 9pm 
• Wednesday 6 December 6 – 9pm 
• Wednesday 13 January 6 – 9pm 

Session will take place at Rochdale Ukrainian Club which is a short walk from Rochdale train station and has a car park on site. A meal will be provided at every session. 

Whether you work in business, health, education, digital, the public sector, the creative industries, hospitality, retail or somewhere completely different, we’d love to hear from you. 

We’re committed to bringing together a group of young people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, including people who may not have previously seen opportunities like this as being for them. If there’s something that might make it harder for you to take part, please talk to us. We’ll do our best to remove barriers wherever we can. This could include covering reasonable travel costs or making adjustments to support disabled and neurodivergent participants. 

Places are limited, so apply now to take the next step in your leadership journey. 

To apply: 

Send a short video, voice recording or cover letter to helen.thackray@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk introducing yourself and explaining why you would like to take part in the programme. 

Deadline for expressions of interest: 9am on 2 November 2026. 

This programme has been developed by Rochdale’s Cultural Education Partnership and Young Trustees Movement. Funded by Arts Council England Place Partnership Fund, secured by Rochdale Development Agency with support from Rochdale Borough Council. The programme is also supported by Action Together.