Trustees’ Week is a time for us to come together to celebrate the achievements of our Trustees in Southend. Thanking them for the time, commitment and effort they donate to our charities to help them thrive. We have many wonderful Trustees in Southend and in this post, we are showcasing just a handful who are sharing their stories and telling us what led them to become a Trustee.

We asked each Trustee a few questions to find out why they enjoy being a Trustee and what advice they would give to people interested in becoming a Trustee themselves.

Paul Coleman – Trustee for Southend City Baptist Church and Essex YMCA

Paul is a retired former HR Director enjoying volunteering for a range of organisations

What interested you most or made you want to become a Trustee?
I have been a Trustee in several charities. It is a real opportunity to use your life skills and learn new ones!

What do you enjoy most about being a Trustee?
It is great being part of a team and helping organisations to develop. A real opportunity to contribute and make an impact.

If you could give any advice to a person interested in becoming a Trustee, what would it be?
Just do it you have nothing to lose and you will enjoy the experience.

Jaimes Higginson – Trustee for Southend City Baptist Church

Jaimes is a 40-year-old husband and father who has epilepsy and is originally from Durban, South Africa.

What interested you most or made you want to become a Trustee?
Prior to becoming a trustee, I had been a volunteer for around 6 months. After my time with the organisation, I was asked to become a Trustee and accepted the opportunity.

What do you enjoy most about being a Trustee?
Having been a regular attendee of the church for 20+ years, being able to see the everyday running of the property is a new and exciting experience.

If you could give any advice to a person interested in becoming a Trustee, what would it be?
It’s like Dorothy, looking behind the curtain and seeing the little man tinkering with his gadgets, creating all of the fantastic work happening in the charities.

Laura Peters – Trustee for Gold Geese

Laura has been a Trustee at Gold Geese for about a year. Her full-time job is as Communications Director at WWF, the conservation charity. She is a local resident and lives in Leigh-on-Sea with her partner and two children.

What interested you most or made you want to become a Trustee?
I used to work at Cancer Research UK and have seen repeatedly the devastation that cancer causes for families. I’d already done a bit of fundraising for Gold Geese and championed their work from afar. And when the Trustee position became available I knew I wanted to get more closely involved.

What do you enjoy most about being a Trustee?
Seeing the impact that Gold Geese make on a daily basis in our local community. The charity makes the most awful time for a family affected by childhood cancer a bit more bearable. The opportunity to offer practical support, hope and sometimes the chance to smile during a really tough time is a total privilege.

If you could give any advice to a person interested in becoming a Trustee, what would it be?
Being a trustee isn’t easy – do your research and fully understand the organisation you want to do this voluntary position for. When you find an organisation that resonates with what you’re passionate about you’ll give more to it. And when you do, it’s so rewarding!