Hospice Trustee, Neil Tween shares his experience

Our Board of Trustees share the huge responsibility of governing the Charity, overseeing our operations and directing how we are managed and run.

Each brings a unique set of skills. Trustee, Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee, Neil Tween, kindly shared his experience at the Charity:

Why did you want to volunteer as a Trustee for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity?

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s reputation is fantastic in the local area – and I’ve volunteered in the past in aid of the Charity through various company days and other fundraising activities.

I had always planned to take on a voluntary position somewhere but assumed that this would need to be much later in my career to add value.

I’d missed out when the Charity had advertised for Trustees the year before and, when I saw the advert, I happened to bump into a former colleague who just happened to be a Trustee at the Charity. He was only a few years older than me and said how he had found it really rewarding and that he’d been able to help the Charity far more than he’d thought possible.

After then and meeting CEO, Sharon Allen OBE and touring the wonderful Hospice at Shelford Bottom, I was sold! As it happened, the Charity was looking for someone with financial experience and here I am.

How much time do you have to dedicate to being a Trustee at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity?

It varies. I’ve never missed a meeting, either Board, Committee or additional briefing, and plan for that to continue!

I work in a full-time position, and have a young family, so my attendance at events is somewhat sporadic and never as much as I’d like to. Hopefully I also add value behind the scenes in running our Board, and via governance, to support the Charity overall.

What do you enjoy about being a Trustee at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity?

The passion of the team is remarkable, from top to bottom of the Charity. Everyone’s focus is to ensure that a patient receives fantastic care throughout all of their interactions with anyone at the Charity. It’s really uplifting and humbling to see how dedicated the staff are, and it makes me proud to represent the Charity.

Do you have personal experience of anyone who has been cared for by the Charity (or another hospice)?

I’ve had experience of family members being cared for in a hospice environment and that illustrated to me the importance of good quality care in their final days – both for the individual and the comfort of the family.

What would you say to someone else who is thinking of volunteering as a Trustee?
Go for it – and if you’re still on the fence, give me a call!

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To find out more about our Trustees visit arhc.org.uk/trustees