Board of Trustees
Name: Ray Priestman (Chair of Trustees)
Area of specialism: Management and Finance
Your job: Chartered Accountant
Where you live: Durham
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
Each trustee will see this differently. As Chair of the Board of Trustees at Hartlepool and District Hospice, I believe my role is to provide help, guidance and support to the chief executive and senior management team. To deal with any issues raised by other trustees and to utilise and encourage the specialism’s of my fellow Trustees. We have a joint responsibility to ensure the Hospice is run in accordance with legal requirements, is financially secure and help the organisation to achieve its future strategies. I personally am also always on the lookout for people who may help support the Hospice in the future.
Why did you become a Trustee?
I became a trustee because I was approached by the Hospice when the previous Treasurer retired. I think this probably had something to do with the fact I was leading my firm in a fundraising initiative for the Hospice at the time and we have been involved in many fundraising events since.
I would recommend anyone interested in becoming a Trustee to register their interest with the Hospice. It can be very rewarding at times.
Name: Lorna Jones (Vice-Chair of Trustees)
Area of specialism: Clinical
Your job: Para/psychotherapist
Where you live: Hartlepool
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
Trustees are responsible for setting strategies; overseeing the correct running of the organisation to carry out its aims through the policies and procedures laid down, whilst conforming to charity law; line managing the Chief Executive through the chair; attending trustee meetings which allows trustees to stay in touch with what is going on and to make informed decisions about matters brought before them - by the Chief Executive. Trustees represent the Hospice - as do all employed and voluntary staff - they are aware of the power of the effect this has on the general public and behave in a manner that will promote the aims of the Hospice. Trustees have an obligation to advise about their specialist knowledge, when their expertise is required and to give their time and talents freely.
Why did you become a Trustee?
I was interested in the Hospice from before its conception, became a founding member at the first management meeting and converted to trustee when we were growing into a large organisation. I think that the Hospice has a wonderful message to give to the world and I feel privileged to be a part of it.
Name: Joanne Regan FCA (Treasurer)
Area of specialism: Finance
Your job: Chartered Accountant
Where you live: Hartlepool
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
The trustees aim to represent an independent board of people with various specialism’s each able to help the Hospice in different ways. As treasurer, my finance background is obviously a massive benefit. I am able to offer the Chief Executive support and advice in all things financial and I provide an independent view on budgets and historic financial information.
Why did you become a Trustee?
The Hartlepool Hospice is an important organisation within our community and having seen firsthand the care and support provided, I want to support this in any way I can.
Name: Robin Armstrong
Area of specialism: Palliative Care
Your job: GP with interest in Palliative Care
Where you live: Peterlee
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
Trustees advise, oversee and act as general resource of information in the running of the Hospice acting through the Chief Executive.
Why did you become a Trustee?
I felt my input could be useful and was approached by the Hospice.
Name: Tim Blades
Your job: Police Inspector
Where you live: Hartlepool
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
Provide an independent overview of the service delivery and governance of the Hospice voluntarily. Provide assistance and support where necessary in promoting the aims and objectives of the organisation.
Why did you become a Trustee?
I became engaged following the care and treatment given to a close family member.
Name: Malcolm Cairns
Your job: Retired NHS Manager
Where you live: Hartlepool
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
As a group we direct the affairs of the Hospice, ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the objectives for which it was set up.
Why did you become a Trustee?
Mrs Alice Bendle, founder, persuaded me that there was a need for a Hospice in the area and asked me to volunteer.
Name:Thomas Chacko
Area of specialism: Business Development and Operations
Your job: General Manager
Where you live: Hartlepool (week days) and SE of England (week ends)
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
The Board of Trustee has a responsibility to provide Good Governance to the Hospice.
The Trustees are responsible for controlling management and administration of the Hospice.
They have a responsibility for making good decisions and leading the Hospice by providing effective leadership and direction. We have a responsibility to help the Hospice deliver and maintain high standards of service to its customers.
And must be able to look at issues independently but collectively agree the way forward.
Why did you become a Trustee?
Because I believe in giving back to the community if I can. I wanted to do something worthwhile and supporting the Hospice in its community support and ambition which is worth any of my time put in.
Name: Martin Alan Levinson
Area of specialism: Legal
Your job: Solicitor
Where you live: Newcastle
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
My job is to ensure the charity is financially stable and that there is legal and financial compliance with current best practice.
Why did you become a Trustee?
I wanted to put something back into the Hospice movement out of gratitude for the way my father was looked after.
Name: Paul Napier
Area of specialism: Media
Your job: I am editor of the Yorkshire Evening Post, seven weekly newspapers, a weekend sports paper, and a number of websites.
Where you live: Leeds.
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
Legally, the role of a trustee is well-defined - trustees ensure the organisation is well-run, is financially sound and delivers the end result that it should. Beyond that, the trustees of the hospice work to help keep the hospice moving in the right direction and act as a sounding board for some of the plans coming out of the hospice. We have meetings at which all trustees can be present, and these make the "big" decisions, and we have sub-committee meetings covering such things as finance or the fabric of the building which only some of the trustees attend. Each of the trustees brings a different group of skills and experience to the role, as we all have very different backgrounds. The trustees job is not - definitely not - to manage the hospice day-to-day, or become involved in the normal management operations. That is the role of the excellent managers running the hospice.
Why did you become a Trustee?
My job in newspapers has taken me to many places around the country. In each of those places, I've become aware quite quickly of the great work carried about by the area's hospice, and of its importance in the community it serves. Before I was editor of the Yorkshire Evening Post in Leeds, I was editor of the Hartlepool Mail for three years and this was how I came across our own hospice. I became a trustee because it gives an opportunity to make a contribution, however small, to something which makes a real difference to the quality of life people can have, especially in more difficult times. It also allows me to come into contact with people whose day job is nothing like mine, and this is a great learning experience. In short, being a trustee at Hartlepool's hospice is simply a "good thing" to do.
Name: Sarah Noble
Area of specialism: ICT
Your job: Teacher in charge of ICT
Where you live: Hartlepool
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
A trustee is responsible for the strategic leadership of the organisation, ensuring compliance with the law and effective and responsible allocation of the budget and other resources in line with the Hospice’s ethos.
Why did you become a Trustee?
I saw an article about Trustee vacancies in the Hospice 4you magazine. I grew up in Hutton Avenue, where the original hospice building was, and I have been aware of the role of the Hospice in my town from an early age so was delighted by the opportunity to get involved. I feel I get a lot out of being a Trustee and would recommend the role to others.
Name: Derek Stephens
Area of specialism: Building Construction
Your job: Retired Architectural Consultant
Where you live: North Yorkshire
Can you briefly describe what a Trustee does?
A trustee helps to establish a strategic policy, ensures that the objectives are delivered and upholds the Hospice values.
Why did you become a Trustee?
My practice designed the Hospice building and it was an opportunity to keep continuity on a very worthwhile project that gives support to the local community.
