Student Trustee

Liverpool Guild of Students is the students’ union of the University of Liverpool and a registered charity. All students at the University of Liverpool become members of the Guild of Students when they join the University and it’s our job to make sure they enjoy their time with us. They deserve the best and we make sure they are at the heart of everything we do.

We offer:

Opportunities to boost students’ skills.

We have over 200 student-run societies which they can get involved in, not to mention our super volunteering programmes and student-staff roles.

A fun and vibrant place where students can try new things and meet new people.

There’s our Give it a Go trips, live music gigs and whole host of other good quality, affordable services which they can take advantage of.

Support whenever students need us.

Whether they need help to settle in or support during their studies, we’re here for them and pride ourselves on being a friendly, helpful bunch and quick and easy to contact.

Campaigning for positive change. 

We are a democratic organisation and we listen to students to fight for the things which matter most to them. Our democracy structure - Change It - gives every student the chance to have their say and shape their university experience. As our logo suggests, we fly the flag for all students and provide effective representation, and we make sure we're the University’s critical friend.

We have over 24,000 members who the students of the University of Liverpool. All students are members of the Guild while they remain students at the University however they have the ability to opt-out should they wish to.

If you would like further information about the Guild you can find the Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts for the past year here, and you can find our governing documents and key policies here.

Be an active and vocal member of our Board of Trustees who are responsible for making sure students are at the heart of everything we do, and for setting the strategy of the organisation. They also approve all policy, our annual budget, monitor organisational performance and support our core staff team of over 70 people. The Trustee Board’s remit is summarised as:

1. Strategic Planning
2. Financial Oversight
3. Safeguarding the Guild's Reputation
4. Monitoring and Evaluating the Performance of Services and Activities
5. Supporting the Chief Executive
6. Ensuring Effective Risk Management
7. Ensuring Comprehensive Ongoing Student Consultation
8. Promoting the Active Involvement of Students
9. Ensuring Effective Election/Selection, Induction and Appraisal of Trustee Board members
10. Considering Updates and Reports

Student trustees are appointed for a term of up to two years (running from 1st August to July 31st) but you will stop being a trustee on leaving the university if this is sooner.

The Board of Trustees will usually meet up to four times each year, usually on Thursday evenings during university teaching weeks. There is also an away day held during the summer vacation. Trustees may also sit on a committee which have varying levels of commitment. All meeting times are agreed with the Board at the start of each year.

Board members should be available by email to receive notice of meetings and board papers as well as to make urgent decisions which may arise between meetings.

As we are an incorporated charity, our Trustees are non-executive directors and registered with Companies House. You must be willing and legally able to become a trustee & company director under both charity and company law (see statutory restrictions below)

Trustees will be expected to read all board papers in advance of the meeting and contribute in a constructive and open way. We expect board members to add to the conversation on all strategic decisions we make and abide by the Trustees’ Code of Conduct. Trustees of the Guild are expected to be aware of and abide by the Nolan Principles of public life.

Trustees must also attend mandatory training sessions; training and support is provided to all student trustees so that the board is fully inducted and ready to perform its duties.

Trustees cannot be paid however they are entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred during their duties as a trustee in line with Guild policies, such as UK travel and accommodation costs for trustees not based in Liverpool.

Being a trustee is a valuable and rewarding experience. You’ll get to make a lasting difference and influence how the Guild is run. It’s also an excellent opportunity to develop your skills; you‘ll gain board-level experience in decision making, teamwork, communication and planning; you’ll learn about management of finances, people and strategy - all of which will look great on your CV.

As a student we recognise that you might not have extensive experience and we will provide the support and training you need to be an effective trustee. You will receive an induction to learn more about the Guild, charities, finance and the role of a charity trustee and you will be part of a mentor group with other trustees for additional support.

To apply you must be a University of Liverpool throughout the next two academic years (25/26 & 26/27).

There are strict conditions placed on charity trustees by law and all applicants must declare that they are eligible to become a charity trustee. The legal restrictions are as follows:

• You must not be on the Sex Offenders’ Register
• You must not have any unspent conviction for an offence involving:
  • deception or dishonesty
  • terrorist offences
  • money laundering
  • bribery
  • misconduct in public office, perjury, perverting the course of justice
  • contravention of certain preventative Orders of the Charity Commission (s.77 of the Charities Act 2011)
  • attempting, aiding or abetting the above offences

• You must not have been convicted of contempt of court
• You must not have any designation under specific anti-terrorist legislation
• You must not have been found guilty by the High court of disobeying a Commission order or direction
• You must not have been removed from:
  • trusteeship, or as an officer, agent or employee of a charity by the Court or the Commission for misconduct or mismanagement
  • a position of management or control of a charity in Scotland for mismanagement or misconduct

• You must not have an undischarged bankruptcy
• You must not have a composition or arrangement with creditors which includes an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) and is currently on the Insolvency Service Register

As part of the recruitment process we will ask you to sign a declaration that you are legally entitled to become a Trustee and commit the required time.

"Hello, I’m Polly and I’ve been a student trustee for the last two years. I’m currently studying graduate-entry medicine, but completed a degree at Liverpool before this – so I’ve been able to see how the Guild has changed dramatically over the last six years!

I often get asked “what’s a trustee?” when I tell my friends I’m off to a Board meeting. Throughout the year, the Board of Trustees reviews how the Guild is working and how we can improve things for students. We make sure the organisation is carrying out its charitable aims, while listening to exciting reports concerning society events, renovations in the building and bars, PR and our relationship with the University.

No doubt this is also a fantastic addition to your CV: sitting on the Board of a multi-million pound charity and learning invaluable skills. There is also the opportunity to sit on other committees which look into things such as finances and governance – both things I wouldn’t have thought I’d be able to gain experience in before this! You can also take part in events like the Guild Awards, and even help create the winners shortlists. I would thoroughly recommend the role to any student who is passionate about the Guild and making a difference."

Polly Thompson, Student Trustee