Trustee Week 2024
Celebrating Our Trustees During Trustee Week
At Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, we are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our trustees. These committed volunteers are the heart of our mission, providing guidance, vision, and invaluable expertise that empower us to deliver vital care across our community.
What Does It Mean to Be a Trustee?
Trustees are volunteers who lead charities, setting direction and making crucial decisions to help each organisation fulfil its purpose. Also known as board members, trustees bring a range of skills, knowledge, and dedication to the table, often drawing from their own professional or personal experiences. Trusteeship is open to everyone, from early-career professionals eager to gain strategic experience to retirees with a wealth of knowledge to share. Our board thrives on diversity—a variety of skills, experiences, and perspectives helps ensure we make the best possible decisions for our charity.
Why Our Trustees Give Their Time
This Trustee Week, we’re honoured to share a few words from some of our dedicated board members. Their passion and commitment are central to everything we do at Hospice at Home.
Mike Clementson
Mike says he finds personal satisfaction in contributing to a local cause, “a local charity for local people.” Through his role, he gains a sense of belonging in our diverse community by engaging with volunteers, business partners, and the public. “Being a trustee allows me to use my business acumen, professional knowledge, and skills to enhance Hospice at Home’s service offerings,” he explains. Mike is motivated by a shared commitment to empathy, care, and dignity for patients and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Debbie Shearer
For Debbie, being a trustee is “rewarding and fulfilling.” After Hospice at Home supported her father-in-law with end-of-life care and her mother-in-law with lymphoedema nursing, she felt a personal commitment to give back. “It’s important for me to support the charity that supported my family,” Debbie shares. “Being a trustee means I can help ensure these vital services remain available and free for all families who need them.”
Shirley Reveley
Shirley has a longstanding connection with Hospice at Home, having served as a trustee from 2014 to 2019 and re-joining in 2021. In 2023, she became Chair of the Board of Trustees. Shirley’s extensive experience includes roles as Chair of Cumbria Health on Call, non-executive Director for Cumbria Primary Care Trust, and non-executive Director for NHS University Hospitals Trust. She emphasises that prior trustee or NED experience is not a requirement for trusteeship—a passion for the cause and commitment to making a difference are what matter most.
“I’m proud to contribute to a worthy cause, and being a trustee brings me a sense of belonging,” Shirley says. She values the opportunity to engage in constructive debate and to help provide a high-quality service to the public. “It’s immensely rewarding to know that my contributions add value to Hospice at Home.”
Jan Lamb
Before retiring, Jan worked for Hospice at Home for 16 years in both clinical and managerial roles. Now, as a trustee, she is grateful to stay connected with the charity’s mission. “I value my continued involvement with Hospice at Home, and I enjoy using my skills to support its work,” she says.
Could You Be Our Next Trustee?
As we celebrate Trustee Week, we invite anyone passionate about supporting their community to consider trusteeship. Whether you’re experienced or new to the field, your skills and passion could make a meaningful difference at Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.
To learn more about becoming a trustee and joining our inspiring board, please email faye@hospiceathome.co.uk