‘Five reasons why I love being a trustee at Beacon Centre for the Blind’ – Trustees Week 2021

Trustees’ Week (1 – 5 November 2021) is an annual campaign to showcase the wonderful work trustees do and to provide opportunities for more people to become trustees from all walks of life.

As part of the celebrations, we are delighted to share a story from Kathy Roper, talking about why she loves being a Trustee at Beacon Centre for the Blind.

‘Five reasons why I love being a trustee’

Kathy Roper was a Commissioning Manager for Older People Support Services at Wolverhampton City Council until 2019. She’s now Chair of Trustees at sight loss charity the Beacon Centre for the Blind and during National Trustee’s Week she has shared five reasons she loves being a trustee at Beacon.

1. We Make a Difference

It’s a real honour to be part of a charity that has been around for nearly 150 years. As trustees, we want to make sure that Beacon continues to be relevant, innovative, and provide high-quality services for people who live with all levels of sight loss. Achieving that is one of the best things about being a trustee.

2. The people are amazing

Working with the members who use Beacon, as well as the volunteers, staff, and other trustees is simply a joy, we’re all part of the Beacon family.

3. I learn something new every day.

Whether it’s about how the charity is run, how to make sure as trustees we fulfil our obligations and follow the law, how to fundraise, or how new technology works, there’s always something new and exciting to get my head around.

4. I am part of a team.

There are nine trustees at the moment, and we all have different skills and attributes. It means I don’t have to know everything because if I don’t, there’s a good chance someone else will! The really great thing is that we are all passionate about making sure Beacon is the best charity it can be.

5. I get to hang out with guide dogs.

Oh, and their owners!

A third of our trustees currently have lived experience of sight loss and they bring a range of skills to the table with backgrounds as diverse as a nurse to a solicitor.

During National Trustee Week we’d like to thank them for everything they do to support Beacon.

If you would like to find out more about Trustee opportunities at Beacon, you can contact Victoria Wilcox vwilcox@beaconvision.org or 01902 880 111.

Trustee Chat with Dudley CVS and SCVO 

On Thursday 4 November 7 – 8:30pm, we’re jointly hosting a Trustees’ Week chat with our colleagues from SCVO. It’s an informal and friendly chat with no agenda to allow you the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and get support with anything to do with being a charity trustee, whatever your current level of experience is.

You can register for this event on Eventbrite.

 #ThankATrustee

Do you know a trustee who has gone above and beyond? Someone whose contributions have made a real difference?

If you’d like to share your story, or #ThankATrustee in Dudley borough during Trustees’ Week, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch by emailing comms@dudleycvs.org.uk

You can also give them a mention on Twitter during Trustees’ Week using the hashtag #ThankATrustee

You can find lots of resources and information on how to get involved in Trustees’ Week on the website: www.trusteesweek.org