Trustees’ Week is a time for us to come together to celebrate the achievements of nearly one million trustees across the UK.
We caught up with Sharon Bakewell who was recently elected as a Trustee for the Huntington's Disease Association.
What made you first want to become a trustee?
I wanted to help out at my local Scout Group that my children were attending. I felt I had skills that could really help charities, especially small charities who could not afford to pay for specialist finance advice.
When did you first put yourself forward to become a trustee, and what was the charity?
I first became a Trustee in 2010 when I became Treasurer of our local Scout Group (I am still a Trustee there). Along the way I have been Treasurer of our local Tennis Club and a School Governor of local primary and secondary schools. It was my way of giving back to the local Community!
What skills and knowledge do you feel you bring to the charity?
My skills are finance based and I have specialised in charity accounting over the last 20 years running my own company with many not-for-profit clients.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about becoming a trustee?
Give it a go! You get an enormous sense of achievement from helping and making a difference to a cause you care about. It can help you in your career path as well as giving you new experiences and meeting new people.
Thanks to Sharon for sharing.
To all our trustees, thank you for the time, commitment and effort you bring to your charities to help them thrive.