What makes someone decide to become a charity trustee? And what’s it actually like being part of a charity’s Board?
For Trustees’ Week, Deaf Action Chief Executive Philip Gerrard MBE sat down with trustee Leslie Banks to talk about why Leslie joined the Board, what the experience has been like and why they’d encourage others to consider becoming trustees.
Helping protect the future of deaf services
Leslie joined Deaf Action’s Board just over two years ago, motivated by a desire to help protect services for deaf people.
Having seen deaf organisations close across the country, Leslie wanted to play a part in making sure Deaf Action could continue supporting deaf people in the future.
Since joining, Leslie has enjoyed working alongside trustees with different backgrounds and experiences, including deaf, deafened and hearing people.
While everyone doesn’t always agree, Leslie believes those different perspectives are important. What matters is that everyone is working together and thinking about the future of the charity.
Learning along the way
Leslie is open about the challenges that come with being a trustee. There’s a lot of information to consider, and making decisions about the charity’s future isn’t always straightforward.
But it’s also been an opportunity to learn new skills, gain experience and contribute to something that matters.
When asked whether they’d recommend becoming a trustee, Leslie’s answer was clear: absolutely.
Leslie would encourage deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people to consider the role, recognising that everyone has different experiences and perspectives to contribute.
Watch Philip and Leslie’s conversation
Watch their full conversation to find out more about Leslie’s experience of being a Deaf Action trustee.
Could you become a Deaf Action trustee?
We’re currently looking for new people to join Deaf Action’s Board, particularly someone interested in taking on the role of Treasurer.
If you’re interested in supporting our work and helping shape the future of Deaf Action, we’d encourage you to find out more.
- You can meet our current trustees and learn more about the work of our Board.
- You can also read Philip’s latest CEO blog about why becoming a charity trustee is worth considering.
- Learn more about becoming a trustee on Trustees’ Week’s website.
Interested in joining our Board? Get in touch to find out more about becoming a Deaf Action trustee.
Email: admin@deafaction.org
