From Retro Fairs to Board Chairs – My Experience as a Step on Board Trainee Board Member

It all began when I applied for the trainee project online after seeing it advertised by the Heritage Network. I had recently completed a second season at Edinburgh Castle and was between contracts. I'm sure many people can relate; starting a career in heritage can be difficult. I had been scouring the internet for opportunities and submitting industry-related job applications for months. I was absolutely thrilled when I was accepted into the training program. I was certainly interested to learn more about the role of the board members had in a charity.

The Heritage Network provided valuable training and courses from the outset of the program, including the Making Strides Leadership Program. From the very beginning of the project, I decided to put in the hours and make the absolute most of the opportunities I had been given. That February, I took the bus to Cockenzie House and Gardens (CH&G) to meet my mentor, Marietta Di Cicacca. Cockenzie and Port Seton are scenic towns located on the edge of the bucolic East Lothian heartland, by the sea. I quickly read many documents, such as Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR’s ‘Guidance and good practice for charity trustees.

I was immediately struck by the professionalism and warmth that many staff members radiated. Marietta has a vast wealth of professional experience that I was eager to learn from. Moreover, CH&G was truly unique. It is a large Jacobean house from 1675 that has a modern entrepreneurial flair. Local craftspeople rent studios alongside a thriving cafe, surrounded by stunning gardens. I was keen to investigate this intersection between enterprise and heritage, something I would learn plenty about in the coming months.

I quickly learned how CH&G was run. I was introduced to the finances, the charity acquiring the Auld Kirk (local church), and the role of the board members. An early task was helping to rearrange the shop, emphasising the varied and practical role of board members. I was also involved in organising a Retro and Food Fair in the gardens. It was an unexpectedly successful day, and I was even featured in the East Lothian Courier.

Being able to co-curate a museum exhibition was the absolute highlight of the experience. I was even able to handle and present a Bishop’s Bible from 1573. The exhibition was called ‘The Auld Kirk – Community and Characters,’ and covered the history of a decommissioned Kirk. It had recently been acquired from the Church of Scotland. This is still a contentious topic for some members of the public, and it was crucial to ensure the project was presented neutrally. I was eager to ensure that local historical knowledge could be kept in the community despite the changes occurring within the Church of Scotland. It required plenty of research and contact with East Lothian Archives who digitised photographs for the museum. I am thankful to Dr Joyce Miller for imparting detailed knowledge throughout this project.

Sitting in on board meetings is a crucial element of the program. I had not experienced such high-level governance up to this point. To gain a stake in these meetings, I led a community survey and processed this information to present at one of the board meetings. I learned how to take notes and the communication style between different board members. It has prepared me for future roles that require high-stakes decision-making.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from my traineeship is the power of saying yes to the opportunities that quietly appear along the way. Co‑curating a museum exhibition wasn’t something handed to me outright—it happened because I intentionally aligned one of my objectives with that area and kept showing genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for it. I re-established the importance of local heritage and how this interlinks with community engagement. I learned the variety of ways heritage sites exist, most having unique challenges and advantages.

Finally, I can highly recommend this traineeship to any early-career professional who is proactive and willing to get involved. You will develop skills not typically available to young people and gain a valuable insight into a less well-known but extremely important element of heritage. Take the plunge and apply.

With special thanks to Samya Kelly, Phoebe Shanley, Sophie Bodenham and the Heritage Network for coordinating this traineeship.