Volunteer Treasurer for our unique literary and environmental charity

What will you be doing?

The Laurence Sterne Trust is looking for someone with sound financial skills to join its enthusiastic team of Trustees as Treasurer. The Trust is responsible, through the Curator and team of volunteers, for Shandy Hall (a Grade 1 listed building) in Coxwold, North Yorkshire, and opens the house and gardens to the public each year. This is a voluntary role at the heart of a long-established local charity with literary and environmental interests. Financial oversight is vital to help the Trust meet the challenges of maintaining a historic building and running programmes for the public benefit on a modest budget. Supporting fundraising and ensuring financial sustainability are key parts of the role. As a key member of the Board, the Treasurer works closely with the staff team to promote financial health, ensure regulatory compliance, and support activities that strengthen the charity’s resilience. The Treasurer’s responsibilities include:

Supervising and reporting on the Trust’s finances and financial arrangements Offering financial advice to trustees and the small staff team Preparing the annual accounts for submission to our Independent Examiner Assisting with grant applications and fundraising efforts

The current Treasurer is stepping down after several years and will provide a full handover. The Trust also receives support from a helpful local firm of accountants. Trustees meet in Coxwold around four times a year and are a friendly and committed group – including literary scholars, a media lawyer, garden enthusiasts and local supporters.

What are we looking for?

The role of Treasurer calls for a person with appropriate financial qualifications and experience to provide oversight of the Trust’s finances, ensure compliance with charity regulations, and prepare annual accounts for submission to the Independent Examiner. Ideally, you’ll have worked in a financial role and be familiar with accounting practices, budgeting, forecasting and reporting. 

What difference will you make?

The role of Treasurer is central to the effective operation of the Laurence Sterne Trust. Your guidance will help ensure the charity’s financial confidence and stability, enabling the continued care of Shandy Hall and its gardens, and supporting the Trust’s core mission: celebrating the life, works, and lasting influence of Laurence Sterne, world-famous 18th-century author of Tristram Shandy and A Sentimental Journey. Sterne was not only a literary pioneer but also an early voice against the slave trade and a correspondent of Ignatius Sancho, making his legacy both culturally and morally significant. As a Trustee, you’ll be part of a committed team supporting the Curator and volunteers who care for the house and gardens, welcome visitors, and deliver a wide-ranging programme of artistic and educational events. By contributing your expertise, you’ll be helping a much-loved Yorkshire charity that offers enriching and restorative experiences to a diverse local, national, and international audience.