🎓 Trustee training directory

Every trustee deserves great training

Trustee Training maps the full landscape of training available for charity trustees and board members — from free online introductions to professional qualifications. Find exactly what you need, whoever you are.

🆓
Free coursesCharity Commission, NCVO, and more
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QualificationsIoF, ICSA, NVQs for charity leaders
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Role-specificChairs, treasurers, safeguarding leads
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Online & in-personFlexible formats for busy volunteers
Interactive Training Map

The Trustee Training Wheel

A trustee's training needs span six core areas. Click any segment to explore training resources for that area.

GOVERNANCE FINANCE FUNDRAISING PEOPLE LEGAL STRATEGY TRUSTEE TRAINING

Governance & Trustee Duties

Understanding the legal duties and responsibilities of trustees — the foundation of everything. Essential for every new trustee and valuable for experienced board members reviewing their practice.

Finance & Accounts

Financial literacy for trustees — understanding accounts, Gift Aid, financial controls, reserves policies and what to look for in your charity's annual accounts.

Fundraising & Income

The legal and ethical framework for charity fundraising, the Code of Fundraising Practice, and what trustees need to know about overseeing their charity's income-generation activities.

People & HR

Trustees' responsibilities around staff, volunteers, safeguarding, equality and diversity. Key HR principles that every trustee board should understand, especially when employing staff for the first time.

Charity Law & Compliance

Understanding the legal framework in which charities operate — the Charities Act, reporting requirements, constitutional law, CIO vs company structures, and what compliance actually means in practice.

Strategy & Leadership

Strategic planning for charity boards — how to develop and review a strategy, how to lead an organisation effectively, and how to build a high-performing trustee board with the right skills and diversity.

Training Directory

Find your training provider

Organisations offering trustee and charity leadership training across the UK — from free introductory courses to formal qualifications.

All Providers
Free
Online
Qualifications
Bespoke / Facilitated
🏛️
Free
Regulator

Charity Commission — Online Guidance & e-Learning

The Commission's online guidance, tools, and the 5-module e-learning course for new trustees. Authoritative, free, and continuously updated.

gov.uk/charity-trustee-whats-involved →
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Free
Sector Body

NCVO — Trustee Learning Hub

Online guides, webinars and resources on governance, HR, finance and strategy. NCVO membership gives additional access to training events.

ncvo.org.uk →
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Paid
Qualification

IoF — Certificate in Fundraising

The Institute of Fundraising offers professional qualifications for charity fundraisers and trustees overseeing fundraising activity.

ciof.org.uk →
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Mixed
Training Organisation

Directory of Social Change

One of the UK's leading charity training providers — courses in governance, finance, HR, leadership and more. In-person and online options.

dsc.org.uk →
🏢
Mixed
Expert Support

Trust Advice — Trustee Away-Days & Training

Facilitated trustee training and away-days for charity boards — governance, strategy, policy review and board effectiveness.

trustadvice.org.uk →
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Mixed
Governance

ICSA / Chartered Governance Institute

Professional body for governance professionals — qualifications, resources and guidance for those wanting to develop formal expertise in charity governance.

cgi.org.uk →
🌱
Free
Regional Support

Local CVS / Volunteer Centres

Most areas of the UK have a local CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) or Volunteer Centre offering free trustee training, induction workshops and board support.

Find your local CVS →
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Paid
Online Learning

Charity Excellence Framework

A comprehensive free and premium digital toolkit for charity trustees and leaders — self-assessment tools, policies, templates and training resources.

charityexcellence.co.uk →
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Mixed
Leadership

Common Purpose

Leadership development programmes for people across different sectors — relevant for ambitious charity trustees wanting to develop their leadership skills more broadly.

commonpurpose.org →
Learning Pathways

Where to start

Not sure where to begin? Here are three clear pathways depending on your experience level and role.

01

Brand-new trustee

Start with the Charity Commission's Essential Trustee guide (CC3) and their free e-learning modules. Then read the Governance Code. Budget a few hours for this — it will pay dividends.

02

Experienced trustee, new role

If you're new to a chair, treasurer or safeguarding lead position, look for role-specific guidance from NCVO and the Commission. Consider a facilitated away-day with Trust Advice to reset the board.

03

Developing your board

For whole-board development — skills audits, diversity, strategic planning — the Governance Code provides the framework. Directory of Social Change and Trust Advice both offer excellent facilitated programmes.

Featured — Charity Support Partner

Need expert charity support?

Since 1996, Trust Advice has been helping charities across the UK with governance, set-up, Gift Aid, policies and trustee support. From policy writing and board away-days to CIO conversions — practical, experienced help at every stage of your charity's journey.

Visit trustadvice.org.uk →
Trust Advice — 30 years of great charity governance
30
Years in the charity sector
400+
Charities set up & supported
200+
Policies, templates & briefings
£12
Membership from per month