Volunteer Grant-making charity supporting people working in education seeks trustees

What will you be doing?

TST spends up to £600,000 per year on payments to individuals involved in the education of under 19s. In 2024/25 we supported more than 400 individuals. Our grant making budget has increased in recent years because we're receiving so many applications from people in very real trouble. We are small but pack a powerful punch in the world of education by providing grants to individuals when they experience something they couldn't have anticipated or expected which impacts them financially.   Our grants help to improve the quality of their lives and are aimed towards making a difference; helping to keep them employed in education; going towards improving their physical and/or mental wellbeing; providing them with safe and secure places to live or essential home items At the very least, for a while, we aim to ensure that they and their families can eat and pay essential bills.  All our payments are made in a timely and very efficient way with no-one waiting more than two weeks for our decision. We have a staff team of two with a committed and enthusiastic board of seven trustees, some of whom are reaching the end of their terms. We hope to recruit four or five new trustees over the next two years. It's an exciting time to join TST. Our new chief executive started in January and we will be working on a new strategy, underpinned by a better understanding of our impact and opportunities to diversify funding, enabling us to continue to meet the needs of our beneficiary group.  Our board meets four times a year and trustees also participate in sub groups: the grants committee which makes decisions about awards, and the investments and finance committee which keeps a close eye on our funds. 

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people with:

Senior experience in early years, primary and secondary education, particularly in the state sector and / or people with experience of non-teaching roles; we support a range of professions involved in the education of under 19s.  Experience of leadership in the charity sector, particularly benevolent funds or grant making.  Financial experience, including investments and charity finance

What difference will you make?

Feedback from people we've helped is powerful and it's clear that we make a difference to their lives when they need it the most. Our trustees are motivated by the difference we make. New trustees will contribute greatly to this impact and receive feedback from beneficiaries, like these messages from May 2025: "I am ever so grateful for the support – it has made such a positive difference and brought real peace of mind. Thank you again for your kindness, generosity, and quick action." "Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult financial situations and have nowhere or no one to turn to. Your organisation has helped me a great deal. I feel so much lighter and can enjoy the little things again with my daughter." "2024 was the most horrendous year. I honestly felt no way out with rent arrears racking up and court proceedings initiating. I’m now in a better position to process last year and cannot thank you enough for your support, you really don’t understand how much you’ve helped my family."