Become a Merlin Trust Trustee
Become a Merlin Trust Trustee
The Merlin Trust is always keen to hear from horticulturists and those working closely with horticulturists and the plant world who are interested in becoming Merlin Trust trustees. Please complete an Expression of Interest form if you would like to find out more about becoming a trustee. We would like to hear from you!
The Merlin Trust supports young horticulturists under 35 years of age or those young to horticulture, within the first five years of a horticultural career. Bursaries are available to support international travel to see plants growing in their native habitats or to experience horticulture in different countries and environments. The focus is on practical horticulture and successful applications must be focused on this aspect and how the experience will benefit an individual’s horticultural career.
The Merlin Trust was established by Valerie Finnis Scott on 22nd January 1990 with three founding trustees: Christopher Brickell, David Rae and Brian Mathew. Valerie and the original trustees were committed to supporting the development of horticulturists at an early stage in their career. The Trust Deed states that the Merlin Trust should support the advancement of education by providing grants for students to enable travel abroad and within the UK to study plants in the wild or in gardens. This deed also empowers trustees discretion to develop new approaches that further this overall aim. Over the last 36 years, subsequent trustees have clarified this remit while ensuring that there are sufficient funds to continue support for young horticulturists. Thanks to Valerie’s initial bequest and the careful management of the Trust by all subsequent trustees, 961 awards have been made to support the horticultural journey of hundreds of gardeners and plants people. There are many more awards to be made in the coming years!
The role of the trustee is to ensure that the Merlin Trust continues to deliver to its aim and objectives. A key part of this is reviewing the applications received. We regularly receive more than 70 applications a year and each one needs to be considered by a minimum of three trustees to determine eligibility and award offer. A new system is currently being implemented with four application deadlines across the year. This will mean that reviewing of applications will be centred around these deadlines. It is likely that each deadline will require about 3-6 hours of reviewing.
Trustees also make all the key decisions about the future of the Merlin Trust from setting the annual budget to identifying new award schemes, as well as promoting the Merlin Trust more widely across the horticultural world. The trustees meet twice a year, generally online evening meetings but an in-person meeting over the summer is arranged whenever possible. These meetings plan for award spend, assess any issues and determine the report prizes.
Trustees are not paid but do receive expenses for travel and subsistence.
If you would like to get involved and help young horticulturists, please do complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form. This will then give you the opportunity to discuss the role with current trustees to find out if the role is for you – you will not be under any obligation to become a trustee if you complete an EOI!
We very much look forward to hearing from you.
If you have problems with the EOI form or would prefer an informal chat first, please contact info@merlin-trust.org.uk.