UMT Trustee

What will you be doing?

Our Unit Management Team is responsible for overseeing the governance, sustainability and long-term direction of Waltham Forest Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets. The board is made up of committed volunteers who support the unit’s leadership team and help ensure young people can access a wide range of positive opportunities.

Like many volunteer-led organisations, we face challenges around volunteer capacity, maintaining resources and continuing to grow opportunities for cadets. At the same time, we have ambitious goals to expand activities, strengthen community partnerships and improve facilities for the future.

We are looking for additional trustees to join the Unit Management Team and contribute to the strategic development of the unit. Trustees take part in board discussions, help guide decisions and support initiatives that strengthen the organisation.

Trustees may also contribute to specific areas of work such as fundraising, community engagement, governance or facilities planning depending on their interests.

The most exciting part of this role is seeing the direct impact of the board’s decisions. The work of the trustees enables cadets to experience sailing, outdoor adventure, leadership training and opportunities that help them grow into confident and capable young people.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for General Trustees who are passionate about supporting young people and interested in contributing to the strategic development of a local youth organisation.

The most important quality we are looking for is a commitment to the mission of the organisation and a desire to help young people succeed. Trustees who are motivated by the difference they can make often bring enthusiasm, thoughtful perspectives and strong commitment to the board.

We welcome individuals from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. Diversity of experience helps strengthen the Unit Management Team and ensures that decisions benefit from a broad range of perspectives.

Experience in areas such as leadership, management, finance, governance, fundraising, communications, community engagement, education or youth development would be particularly valuable. However, professional expertise is not essential. Many effective trustees bring skills developed through volunteering, community work or other forms of involvement.

Strong collaboration skills are important, as trustees work together to guide the organisation and support its development. Being able to contribute ideas, engage in thoughtful discussions and support shared decision-making helps ensure the board operates effectively.

We are particularly interested in individuals who have connections to the local community or who understand the needs of young people in the area. Lived experience within youth programmes, volunteering or community initiatives can bring valuable insight into how organisations like Sea Cadets can best support young people.

We also welcome individuals who may have been involved in Sea Cadets or similar youth organisations in the past, whether as cadets, volunteers or supporters. This experience can help bring an understanding of the opportunities and impact these programmes provide.

People who enjoy helping organisations grow and improve will find this role rewarding. Trustees contribute to discussions about the organisation’s future, support initiatives that strengthen the unit and help ensure that young people continue to benefit from its activities.

Ultimately, we are looking for thoughtful, engaged individuals who want to contribute their time and perspective to a charity that provides life-changing opportunities for young people.

By joining the Unit Management Team, trustees play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the organisation and ensuring that cadets continue to benefit from adventure, teamwork and personal development opportunities.

What difference will you make?

General Trustees play a crucial role in shaping the future of Waltham Forest Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets. As members of the Unit Management Team, trustees provide guidance, oversight and strategic support that helps the organisation remain strong, sustainable and focused on its mission to support young people.

The work of the board directly influences the opportunities available to cadets. Through thoughtful decision-making and collaborative leadership, trustees help ensure the organisation has the resources, direction and support needed to deliver a high-quality programme of activities.

General Trustees contribute by taking part in discussions that guide the development of the unit, supporting initiatives that strengthen the organisation and helping identify opportunities for growth. This may include supporting fundraising efforts, strengthening community engagement, improving facilities or helping develop new programmes for cadets.

The impact of trustees can be seen in the experiences offered to young people. A strong and supportive board enables the unit to provide activities such as sailing, adventure training, leadership development and community engagement. These experiences help young people build confidence, develop life skills and discover new opportunities.

Trustees also help ensure that the organisation remains resilient and forward-looking. By supporting long-term planning and sustainable development, they help the unit continue to grow and adapt while maintaining its core purpose of helping young people thrive.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the role is seeing the real-world impact of the board’s work. Decisions made at the trustee level translate into opportunities for cadets — whether that is a new piece of equipment, a refurbished training space, a funded expedition or a new programme that helps young people develop their skills.

By contributing their time and perspective, General Trustees help ensure that Waltham Forest Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets continues to provide life-changing opportunities for young people in the community for many years to come.

Before you apply

Once an application is received, we will review the candidate’s message along with any links to their CV or portfolio. We are interested in understanding why applicants are interested in supporting a youth organisation and how their experience or interests align with the organisational and coordination aspects of this role.

In your message, it would be helpful if you briefly describe your relevant experience or similar responsibilities. We are also keen to understand what motivates you to volunteer your time and what interests you about the work of Sea Cadets.

Suitable applicants will be invited to an informal conversation with members of our Unit Management Team. This will usually take place online or in person and is designed to be relaxed and conversational. It is an opportunity for us to learn more about you, and equally for you to ask questions and learn about the organisation and the role.

Following the conversation, we may invite prospective trustees to visit the unit on a parade night so they can see the cadets and volunteers in action.

Successful candidates will then go through the standard onboarding process, including necessary checks and induction support. We aim to respond to applications within two weeks.