Legal Trustee (Voluntary)
Job Overview
Manchester Youth Zone is seeking a Legal Trustee to join its Board and support strong governance, legal compliance and strategic decision-making.
Term of Appointment
Each Trustee is expected to serve a minimum of one three-year term, with a maximum of two terms.
This voluntary role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Time Commitment
- Finance & Resources Committee – quarterly
- Board meetings – quarterly
- 2–4 hours per month providing ad-hoc legal and governance support
- Annual Board away day
- Annual OnSide Board development day
About Manchester Youth Zone
Manchester Youth Zone is a registered charity that has been delivering high-quality youth provision for over 12 years. Based in Harpurhey, North Manchester, we are a vital community hub serving one of the most deprived wards in England, with 94% of our members coming from the first or second indices on the national poverty scale.
Following organisational challenges during COVID-19, the Youth Zone is now in a strong position, with established youth provision, a solid reputation across public, private and voluntary sectors, and a successful track record in grants and trusts, including £1.4m in capital investment.
Our Youth Work Offer
Young people always have access to:
- A vibrant, creative and diverse playwork offer for ages 8–11, supporting confidence, emotional wellbeing and resilience
- An evidence-based youth work programme for ages 12–25, including sports, arts, volunteering, enterprise and issue-based group work
Alongside this universal offer, we deliver targeted programmes supporting mental health, careers and enterprise, youth voice and social action, and work addressing serious youth violence and exploitation. Inclusivity is central to our approach, with dedicated safe-space provision for girls and young women, boys and young men, LGBTQ+ young people, disabled young people and young people from racialised communities.
Duties of a Trustee Board Member
Trustees are collectively responsible for ensuring that Manchester Youth Zone:
- Complies with charity law, company law and all relevant legislation
- Delivers its objectives in line with the organisational strategy and business plan
- Uses its resources wisely and applies best value principles
- Maintains strong financial stability
- Safeguards its reputation and values
Trustees also contribute actively to:
- Providing strategic direction and oversight to the Chief Executive
- Defining goals, setting targets and monitoring performance
- Board meetings and appropriate Youth Zone events and activities
Trustees are expected to use their specific skills, knowledge and experience to support sound decision-making, including scrutinising papers, advising on new initiatives and contributing specialist insight where required.
Duties of Trustee – Legal
The Legal Trustee will:
- Ensure compliance with charity and company law, including Charity Commission and Companies House requirements
- Support the preparation and submission of statutory reports, annual returns and accounts
- Ensure compliance with other relevant legislation and regulators
- Help maintain systems to identify and manage conflicts of interest and prevent misuse of charity assets
- Provide legal advice and guidance to the Board, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team as appropriate
Person Specification
Each Trustee must:
- Be committed to the mission, values and ethos of Manchester Youth Zone
- Be willing to devote the necessary time and effort
- Act with integrity and confidence, and be prepared to speak openly
- Bring strategic vision and sound judgement
- Understand and accept the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship
- Work effectively as part of a team and make decisions in the best interests of the Youth Zone
- Have relevant professional experience in their area of specialism
- Note: This voluntary role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.