November 13-17 is Trustees Week, and what better time to celebrate the vital contribution of these fantastic volunteers.

Across the UK, there are more than a million trustees and in Dartmouth there are

100-plus trustees working on behalf of scouting. Each one has a special responsibility to ­provide the stability and good governance every charity needs in order to flourish.

As chairman of the Scout Association’s board of trustees, I ask myself, “What difference do I make as a trustee?” For me, it comes down to five things: stewardship, scrutiny, strategy, support and skills.

It is about ensuring the right procedures and policies are in place to create a safe and secure environment. It is our role to ensure there is a clear plan for the future and that there is the right level of challenge and accountability.

So this Trustees Week, I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have already stepped up to the plate and are putting something back into their communities.

I would also like to encourage more young people to come forward to serve as trustees – their energy and ideas are invaluable if we want to continue to help the next generation develop the skills to succeed in life.

Charity boards benefit most when there is a range of ages and backgrounds and they are at their strongest when there is a healthy mix of experiences and perspectives. I urge you to join us.

Ann Limb

chairman, Scout Association