Trustee (Ludlow)

What will you be doing?

While the RAF Air Cadets is publicly funded, many of the additional opportunities that make each squadron unique - such as equipment, local activities and enhanced experiences - are funded locally. Trustees play a key role in enabling these opportunities.

Each squadron within the RAF Air Cadets is supported by a Board of Trustees. These Boards work alongside the Squadron Commander and adult volunteers to ensure the squadron operates effectively as an Excepted Charity and continues to provide opportunities for young people.

Our Boards typically include roles such as Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary, along with additional trustees who contribute their skills, insight and support. Trustees meet periodically (usually quarterly) to review activities, discuss finances and fundraising, and help plan future priorities.

We are currently looking to strengthen trustee teams across our Wing as we continue to grow and support more than 900 cadets across 27 squadrons.

As a trustee you may:

• Attend Board meetings (typically four per year)
• Contribute to decisions on finances, fundraising and priorities
• Support governance and ensure the squadron operates responsibly as an Excepted Charity
• Share your professional skills or local knowledge where helpful
• Help build connections with local organisations, businesses or supporters

Trustees are not expected to have specialist knowledge, and there is no obligation to take on a formal officer role unless you wish to. Some trustees choose to support specific projects such as fundraising events, grant applications or community partnerships, but this is entirely flexible.

The most important thing is a willingness to contribute ideas, take part in discussions, and help ensure the squadron continues to thrive.

What are we looking for?

We welcome trustees from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You don’t need to have worked in the charity sector, the military, or with young people before. However, we do ask that applicants bring at least three years’ experience in a relevant area, such as fundraising, volunteering, community involvement, or other professional or personal experience where you’ve supported a team, organisation, or cause. What matters most is enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to contribute to discussions and decisions that support young people in your community.

Our ideal trustees are people who:

• Care about supporting opportunities for young people
• Are happy to work collaboratively as part of a small committee
• Can contribute ideas and take part in discussions
• Are willing to learn about governance and the RAF Air Cadets
• Bring curiosity, common sense and a positive attitude

We would particularly welcome people who have experience in areas such as:

• Finance, budgeting or business management
• Fundraising or grant applications
• Governance, committee or leadership roles
• Event planning or project management
• Building partnerships with businesses or community organisations
• Local networks that could help strengthen the squadron’s community links

We are also keen to broaden the diversity of our trustee community. We particularly welcome applications from younger adults, people from under-represented communities, and those who may not have considered a trustee role before.

Most importantly, we are looking for people who are motivated to make a positive difference and support the continued success of their local Air Cadet squadron.

In return, you’ll gain experience in governance, leadership and decision-making, develop your professional network, and play a direct role in supporting young people in your community.

What difference will you make?

Trustees play a crucial role in ensuring RAF Air Cadet squadrons can continue providing opportunities for young people in their communities.

By supporting governance, finances and fundraising, trustees help create the conditions that allow cadets to take part in activities such as adventure training, leadership courses and community projects. Their oversight also ensures that squadrons operate responsibly and sustainably as Excepted Charities.

For many squadrons, trustees are the people who help secure funding for equipment, camps and activities that might otherwise not be possible.

The contribution may only be a few hours a year, but it enables hundreds of cadet experiences that build confidence, leadership skills and resilience in young people.

Put simply, trustees help ensure that the next generation continues to benefit from everything the RAF Air Cadets has to offer. Without trustees, many of these opportunities simply wouldn’t happen.

Additional information

You can download the following documents:

Before you apply

We recruit trustees on a rolling basis throughout the year. 

We’ve made joining simple:

1. Submit an expression of interest through this listing.
2. Attend an informal virtual meeting with our volunteer Wing Chair and Wing Treasurer during a weeknight.
3. Visit your chosen squadron to meet the team and learn more.
4. Apply to join online if invited.
5. Undergo safeguarding checks (DBS and background check).

This process normally takes a few weeks, depending on availability and checks.

Eligibility:

• Must be 20 years or older.
• Must have lived in the UK for 3 or more years.