Trustee

February 2026Application packTrusteeVacanciesGMYN is seeking to recruit new trustees with the passion and drive to move the charity forwardwith our recently updated strategy. Since 2007, we have supported over 15,000 young people across Greater Manchester who facesignificant challenges, including those with experience of the care system, young refugees, andthose with social or mental health needs. We don’t just deliver programmes; we provide a"family" and a platform for young people to have their voices heard.A warm welcome from Following our 2025 Trustee Skills Audit, we are entering an exciting period of new opportunitiesand are looking for three new trustees to join our passionate board. We are looking forindividuals who share our values of compassion, creativity, courage, learning and fun.We are specifically seeking expertise/experience in the following high-priority areas:However, you do not need to be an expert in these areas to apply. We welcome applications fromanyone who shares our values. We believe that a diverse board with a wide range of perspectives iswhat makes us strong.The Opportunity1.Finance & Audit Trustee: To provide scrutiny of financial information, budgeting, andsupport our long-term financial resilience.2.Fundraising & Income Generation Trustee: To help shape our fundraising strategy,focusing on corporate partnerships, grants, and traded income.3.Digital & Communications Trustee: To lead our digital strategy,  helping us amplify ourbrand and marketing efforts.4.Young Trustees - Please see section below on “lived experience”.Our board of trusteesOur current board is made up of the following trustees, each bringing their own skills andexperience.Liam McDaid Jones is the Chair of GMYN. He is an Education Consultant improving andsupporting schools and staff teams as well as a School Governor. Sian Leighton is the Vice Chair.Sian is the Director of Strategy & Inclusive Culture for MSV Housing. Eric Stelfox is our Treasurerand is a retired accountant and treasurer for two charities including GMYN.  Stephen Tongue isCharity Director at Henshaws Society for Blind People and leads GMYN’s fundraising sub-committee. Stuart Morris is a director of a small consultancy that helps firms write bids forpublic sector tenders. Elena Vacca is a Project Manager for Manchester City Council focussing onACEs, Trauma Informed Practice & Children, Young People and Families.At GMYN, we believe young people shouldn't just be part of our programmes—they shouldhelp lead them. We are looking for new Trustees help shape our future. We stronglyencourage applications from:Young leaders (18+) who want to make a difference in Greater Manchester.Experts by experience: the unique insights you have from navigating the care system, living witha disability, or being a young person in Greater Manchester today. Your first-hand knowledgehelps us make better, fairer decisions.People who currently use, or have previously been involved in, GMYN programmes includingbeneficaries, volunteers or GMYN alumni.Your personal insight and "youth voice" are just as valuable to us as professional qualifications andexperience. We want our board to reflect the diverse communities and the resilient young peoplewe serve.Our current trustees choose to be part of GMYN because they want to:Make a meaningful difference for young people facing disadvantage.Gain a deeper sense of purpose by contributing to a cause rooted in compassion.Connect with diverse people and new perspectives within the community.Share their own knowledge to help more young people thrive.Why join #TeamGMYN?The Value of Lived ExperienceWe expect trustees to try and attend all meetings. We havearound 5 to 6 evening trustee meetings each year (on-line andface-to-face) plus attendance at the annual strategic planning day.In addition to this trustees are encouraged to visit our projectsand participate in focused working groups as and when needed.The commitmentRemuneration:The trustee roles are voluntary, but travel expenses are available.GMYN aims to create an inclusive welcoming environment for youngpeople and all those who work or volunteer at GMYN or wish to join#TeamGMYN. Whilst our staff and board of trustees are diverse in many ways, werecognise we are not fully representative of the communities thatwe serve, and we want to change this. We especially encourageapplications from the Global Majority, people from working-classbackgrounds, and disabled or neurodiverse individuals.For many young people, moving towards a positive future isn’t easy.Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) supports young people aged10-25 from across Greater Manchester by offering innovative and excitingopportunities that they are not able to access elsewhere. Our developmental programmes and drop-in activities help young peopleto strengthen social connections, improve wellbeing, increase confidence,develop skills and have a say on issues that matter to them.  Young peoplealso shape our strategy and our delivery through our youth voiceprogrammes, ensuring we meet our youth leadership values as a charity.Our vision is #YoungPeopleCanOur mission is that every young person, whatever their background, feels confident,connected, and capable of great things.Founded in 2007, Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) has grown from a single volunteeringproject to an established and highly respected charity delivering multiple youth programmes acrossGreater Manchester. GMYN has supported marginalised young people, providing newopportunities and chances to progress in life.GMYN was created through a need to provide opportunities and support for young peoplestruggling and needing help. We saw an opportunity to take a chance and create a new charity thatcould provide help and support, and involve young people directly in shaping what we do. And 19years later, we are continuing to work hard to continue supporting the young people of GreaterManchester.Our key focus is supporting young people who face particular challenges, including: cared-foryoung people and care leavers, disabled and neurodiverse young people, unaccompanied asylumseeking children (UASC)/new arrivals, young people with social, emotional and mental health(SEMH) needs, and young people who are not ready for work. ImpactGMYN's work is guided by our Theory of Change which outlines why we areneeded, our approach, our activities and our intended outcomes which are thatyoung people have:Improved Wellbeing - feeling safe, supported and hopeful.Strengthened Connections - building trusted relationships and networks.Developed Skills - gaining practical, life and work skills.Increased confidence - believing in their potentialPromote Community Engagement - taking part and giving back.Shaping Systems - using lived experience to improve policy and practice.GMYN’s storyAbout us...GMYN is a growing charity that has supported over 15,000 young people with a current turnover ofmore than £1 million.  We are looking for trustees that will help lead us on the next exciting phaseof development.  We expect passion and commitment and in return, here’s what we can offer you:A place where you can use your skills and experiences to have a positive influence on aninnovative charity that changes young people’s lives.The chance to be a company director as well as a trustee and therefore to learn what it meansto govern a charitable company. A chance to visit youth projects across Greater Manchester and see the wonderful work we doand the impact the charity makes.Opportunities to share skills and experience with other trustees from various sectors andbackgrounds.Training in specialised subject areas such as Safeguarding;  Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access(IDEA).Experience of youth work is not required to be a GMYN Trustee. Neither is previous experienceas a trustee.The main qualities that we are looking for are:A demonstrable passion for supporting young people so that they can build a positive futurefor themselves.Commitment to regularly attend and fully engage in board meetings and be pro-active in-between meetings.The ability to think at a strategic level and leave the day-to-day operation of the charity to theSenior Leadership Team.The ability to work collaboratively with other Trustees and senior level staff.Curiosity and the ability to ask challenging questions when required.Skills and experiences that are relevant to the high-priority areas as shown on page 1.What GMYN can offer youPerson SpecificationIf having read this information you would like to apply, we would  suggest you set up a shortinformal chat with our Chair, Liam McDaid Jones.  He can provide you with a bit morebackground to GMYN; where we’ve come from, and where we are heading.  He can also answerany other questions you may have about the trustee role.Email: chair@gmyn.co.ukYour CV and your covering letter Your invitation to interview will be based on how you demonstrate that you meet the points onthe person specification. We will consider skills and experiences from various roles if you candemonstrate how they can be transferable to this trustee role. You can apply using either of the following methods:• Send a CV and cover letter (maximum 2 sides of A4 for each). • Send a CV and audio/video version (maximum 5 minutes) of your cover letter. We ask that your covering letter tells us:Why would you like to be a GMYN trustee?What professional skills could you bring to the board that would be beneficial to GMYN? Forexample, leadership, partnership development, influencing and strategic planning. What work/life skills you have that may be relevant to the high-priority areas as shown onpage 1.What would you most like to gain from taking on this volunteer leadership role?What lived experience would you bring the GMYN Board of Trustees?  Guidance for applicants Please email your application and CV to jobs@gmyn.co.uk.Closing date: Monday 9 March 2026.thInterviews with Trustees and Young People will take place W/C 16th March.