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To celebrate Trustees Week, we want to say a HUGE thank you to all of our wonderful trustees for their commitment and dedication to Marmalade Trust! We caught up with one of our trustees, Rebecca, to find out more about her role with Marmalade Trust and her hopes for the future. Here is what she had to say...
1) What is your role as a trustee and what does your role entail?
As a trustee I sit on the Board of Trustees which has overall responsibility for the strategic direction, financial management and governance of Marmalade Trust. As a group our ultimate aim is to ensure we are advancing the charity and acting in its best interests. In practise this means providing support to the CEO and ensuring that the Marmalade Trust is acting in its beneficiaries' best interests.
2) Why did you decide to become a trustee with Marmalade Trust?
I had helped with fundraising for Marmalade Trust for many years before I became involved as a trustee. I helped make decorations to sell to fund the Christmas events in the early days and this evolved into raising money through my firm. It felt like a natural progression to become a trustee and contribute to the strategic direction of the charity. I wanted to help shape an organisation I am incredibly passionate about.
In my professional life I am a Solicitor specialising in Wills, Probate and Lasting Power of Attorney, and have seen why Marmalades Trust's work is so important in our local community, and the impact our work has on our beneficiaries.
Loneliness is something that many people experience, and I feel passionate about the work Marmalade Trust is doing to raise awareness of loneliness and combat the stigma and misconceptions associated with it.
3) What do you enjoy most about being a trustee with Marmalade Trust?
I enjoy hearing the feedback from members and volunteers. It’s incredible how many people feel supported and happier because of the Marmalade Trust. I try and attend some of our events and volunteer by doing deliveries; this gives me a chance to meet members directly and see what an amazing impact Marmalade Trust is having on them - that is so rewarding.
I also enjoy the strategic planning, hearing Amy’s (Marmalade Trust's Founder/CEO) incredible ideas for the future and helping her put those in place.
4) Any thoughts/hopes for the future with Marmalade Trust?
On a personal level I am delighted that we are able to provide in person support on Christmas Day this year after having to evolve our Christmas Day support package over the last few years due to Covid-19. Christmas is often a time when people experience heightened levels of loneliness and so I feel incredibly passionate about the return of in-person events and bringing people together during the festive period! I hope this continues for many years to come.
Marmalade Trust founded Loneliness Awareness Week, and each year the campaign grows in terms of impact and reach - I’m excited to see how we can develop this in the next few years to ensure that loneliness is normalised and to eradicate the stigma associated with the experience of loneliness.
