Step on Board - partnering young people with charities and not-for-profits to help strengthen trustee boards and provide learning opportunities.

Step on Board connects young people (18-30) with heritage organisations across the UK seeking fresh voices on their boards.

In 2025 we successfully launched the first cohort of Step on Board, an initiative that introduces 18–30-year-olds to trusteeship through training, and matches them with our members as shadow trustees for 12 months.

Key contact

Marlene Schilling

UK Heritage Trainee

Email:

admin@heritagenetwork.org.uk

What is Step on Board?

Step on Board was developed in response to consultation with the Heritage Network’s Youth Forum, and advice from the Young Trustees Movement (external link) and Board Racial Diversity UK (external link). Made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (external link) and players of the National Lottery, this new initiative matches young people aged 18-30 with Heritage Network member organisations who want a young person’s perspective on their board. As shadow trustees for the year, the young people will have no legal responsibilities, but have the option to be voted onto the boards as a full trustee after 12 months. There will be 1 cohort per year until 2028.

Why do we need a young trustee initiative?

According to the Young Trustees Movement less than 3% of charity trustees are aged under 30. In response, Step on Board seeks to develop a pipeline of young people with the capacity and confidence to join boards as trustees, promoting an increased diversity of voices heard at a governance level and challenging old, outdated perceptions of trusteeship. We want boards across the UK to accurately represent their communities, staff, volunteers, customers or beneficiaries.

A group of young people sit watching a presentation about young trustees.

Becoming a shadow trustee

Young trusteeship is a great experience that can help you better understand board governance and boost your career. It can help you:

Develop skills
Grow your network
Learn how charities work
Make a difference to the world!

Applications will open in November 2026

Express your interest (external link)

Hosting a shadow trustee

Thinking about how a young person experiences being on your board will help you improve the way you run your trustee meetings. This will benefit all board members and help you recruit and retain trustees in the future. Step on Board can help you:

Diversify your board
Address trustee succession issues
Amplify diverse voices
Change perceptions of trusteeship

Applications will open in November 2026

Express your interest (external link)

A group of people sit around a round table. A woman stands leaning over the table. Her hand is reaching out to move a piece of paper on the table. The group are working on a task involving sorting various pieces of paper.

How Step on Board works:

Young people aged 18-30 can apply to be matched with a Heritage Network member organisation.
Network and Network+ level members of the Heritage Network can apply to participate in the initiative. Connect level members can apply, but must upgrade in order to be matched. Join us as members or contact us to upgrade.
There will be one cohort of young people each year
We envisage that the young person will be a ‘shadow trustee’ for 1 year. Note that a trainee trustee will not be registered as a Director with Companies House (or equivalent) or the Charity Commission.
We arrange these opportunities as time-limited traineeships because it provides a less daunting way for a young person to participate in organisational governance.
The young person will be assigned a ‘board buddy’, nominated by the host organisation, who will act as a mentor for the shadow trustee

Step on Board testimonials

Thank you for a very stimulating and well-supported experience so far from being involved with 'Step on Board'. I haven't acted as a mentor before this opportunity came along so wasn't sure what might be expected of me. Phoebe & the team have been excellent in providing very clear, concise and supportive information & resources to make the experience enjoyable and I look forward to moving forwards in the knowledge that there is support there if and when needed.

Howard Waters, Wiltshire Historic Buildings TrustStep on Board host

The Heritage Network Step On Board Campaign is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking for some experience in the heritage field. It also allows you to see and understand the inner workings of a charity, which has been fascinating.

Isaac Herbert Young Trustee placed with Citrus Arts

The programme provides an excellent mutual opportunity for our board members and our chosen individual placement. It is providing the individual with first-hand experience of the governance and ambition of our trust, while giving our own board members additional insight and expertise. It is proving to be a very beneficial working partnership.

Philip Welsh, Trustee, Heritage Trust North West Step on Board host

Step on Board has been phenomenal. It’s been much more than just attending board meetings. I’ve been able to co-curate a museum exhibition, help to plan & manage events, learn governance & financial administration skills. The project has significantly increased my confidence as an early career professional. A project like this is really what you make of it: if you put the work in & establish a good line of communication with your mentor you can get involved with many diverse aspects of a charity

Samuel WorkmanYoung Trustee placed with Cockenzie House and Gardens

I would recommend this to anyone looking to upskill, improve their CV and get a better understanding of the Heritage Sector.

Samuel WorkmanYoung Trustee placed with Cockenzie House and Gardens

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