What do trustees do?
They are responsible for the overall leadership and governance of Citizens Advice Calderdale and typically meet once every two months at a full trustee board meeting.
We are currently in the position to appoint new volunteer trustees to our board. In this exciting and varied role you would contribute to our charity vision and strategy, ensuring that we can deliver this to our beneficiaries and the people that need us, and making sure that our resources are used correctly and to provide the best possible service for clients. As a trustee you will also join a network of around 250 independent charities (Local Citizens Advice) covering England and Wales, and obtain access to support and learning resources from National Citizens Advice.
In addition to our bi-monthly trustee board meetings, which are usually held late afternoon, trustees may incur additional time commitments relating to specific responsibilities and/or depending how involved they want to be with the charity.
Check out this video to find out more about being a trustee.
Details of the 6 main duties of a trustee can be found here.
Further information about becoming a charity trustee can be found in this informative, free guide from Getting OnBoard
At Citizens Advice Calderdale we represent all voices of the community and believe the diversity of our trustee board should reflect this. We actively encourage applications from all those who wish to apply – regardless of age, race, religion, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation or level of experience.
If you are interested in becoming a trustee and would like to find out more, please contact us by email:
Meet our current Trustees
Heidi Waters – Chair
Having left university in 1994 with a business degree I gained employment as a Housing Officer in Calderdale and moved to Halifax in 1995. During my 30 years in housing, I have worked in a range of roles, including project management, housing strategy and supported housing. I am currently Strategic Lead – Housing and Climate Change at Calderdale Council, which includes managing the housing service (affordable warmth, home improvements, flood work, empty homes, strategic housing, development of new homes and providing homelessness services for those people who are at risk of or have become homeless); and climate change work, which includes sustainable travel, air quality and energy planning.
I have been involved with the CAB for a number of years through my housing work and have been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2014, I am currently Chair. I have really enjoyed my time on the board, even though it has been quite challenging at times! I am also Chair of Governors at St Augustines Primary School and a member of the Governing Body at Moorside Primary school.
I am now looking to put the skills and experience gained in my working career to good use in a voluntary capacity where hopefully I can make a useful contribution
Roger Moore – Deputy Chair
My wife and I have lived in Calderdale since 1989. My background was in materials engineering and I followed a career as a civil servant in managing and delivering health care policy.
Since my retirement I have worked in a voluntary capacity in the charity sector.
I feel privileged to be a Trustee of Calderdale Citizens Advice. I believe that we provide an essential and very professional advisory function which provides life-changing support to our clients.
I am also trustee and chair of the Community Foundation for Calderdale.
I enjoy gardening, walking and cycling in our wonderful Calderdale
Frances Burns -Trustee
I moved to Halifax in 1969 but was born in Cardiff, South Wales. Although I still have close family ties in Wales, Halifax is now my home.
I worked for Calderdale Council Housing Department for 14 years before moving over to Pennine Housing 2000 at their formation and was seconded to Nashayman Housing Association for three years before retiring. I am now retired but still volunteer for Calderdale Credit Union Ltd.
I was a founder member in the development of Calderdale Employees Credit Union and served as a volunteer in various capacities for a number of years.
In 2003/4 I oversaw the merger of 5 Calderdale credit unions to become one as Calderdale Credit Union Ltd, and since then I have served as a director on that board. Currently, I am president of the credit union and Chair of the Board of Directors.
Donna Sidonio – Trustee
I worked in the public sector for over 30 years, including a long period at the (then) Department of Health and at national NHS bodies.
I have a strong belief in the importance of the public and voluntary sectors and in the values they espouse.
I volunteer for other voluntary bodies in Calderdale and have now been a Trustee for Citizens Advice Calderdale since 2015, where I am the Board lead for Information Assurance.
Sarah Harris -Trustee
I joined the District Management Committee in 2007 and have seen several changes to the service over the years. I lived and worked in Halifax for around six years, and moved over to Slaithwaite in 2010, where I now live with my husband, son, daughter and cat. Following a career in the legal profession, I spent 12 years at Huddersfield Students’ Union. This was a step back to familiar haunts for me as, prior to qualifying as a solicitor, I spent a year working as the sabbatical Welfare Officer at Leeds University Union. During that time, I was the officer with responsibility for the Welfare Advice Centre and became acutely aware of the value to the community of an open advice centre available to individuals, regardless of their circumstances. I worked hard campaigning on welfare issues, with particular emphasis on debt, health and housing. In more recent years, I graduated with a Masters’ degree in Social Policy from the University of Salford, and now work as the Inclusion and Diversity Strategic Lead for Kirklees Council.
Peter Taylor – Trustee
Born and Bred in Halifax (in Hopwood Lane in 1954 to be precise) although I was educated in Harrogate at Ashville college. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980 and married Janet in the same year.
Following qualification I was employed within three accountancy practices in West Yorkshire, preparing accounts, auditing and insolvency work.
In the 1990’s I was offered a position in Industry and spent 25 years with the German Vollmer Group where I was UK Finance Director. Vollmer manufactures machine tools for high precision tooling, utilizing grinding and erosion technology suitable for a number of industries. My role also encompassed some international work in particular assisting in the opening of a subsidiary in China in 2004. Vollmer also has a Sports division selling Ten Pin Bowling Lanes where I was a part time Manager for retail and installation. During my time with Vollmer I acted as Treasurer to a Trade Body – The Saw Doctor Association.
Janet and I have two children and three grandchildren who all live locally. We are keen walkers and have a lodge near Carnforth which gives us easy access to the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. I am a volunteer with Overgate Hospice where I currently work for the Brighouse Furniture shop. Keen on rugby union I played many years for Halifax RUFC and acted as Treasurer following my retirement from the game. We have also been members of Halifax Sailing Club and Elland Golf Club. I still enjoy running (or rather jogging) and am a member to two running clubs. I have completed the Great North run on several occasions and to celebrate my 60th birthday I completed the London Marathon.
We have lived in Salendine Nook for a number of years having lived previously in Greetland and Scissett.