A few months ago we got to know some of our trustees a little more, here we meet the fabulous Hannah and Tracey!

Hannah

Why did you become a Trustee for Womens Health Matters?

I applied to be a trustee for WHM because I had known about the organisation since I was a child in Leeds, and so had an understanding of the impact the charity has. I moved from a job in a charity to one in the local authority and wanted to stay connected to the third sector in some way. As I had time and hopefully useful skills to offer, WHM felt like a natural choice to approach about volunteering as a Trustee.

What is your favourite thing about Womens Health Matters?

My favourite thing about WHM is the fact that every time I read a report or speak to the staff about the work they are doing with women, I am overwhelmed yet again with what an incredibly important service WHM delivers. And that all the staff and all the trustees have a uniting belief that women can and should be in control of their own lives and health. It’s a great team to be part of.

What do you do outside of Womens Health Matters? 

I work for Leeds City Council Children’s Services, in the Voice and Influence Team. I coordinate participation, consultation and involvement activities specifically for children who are looked after or care leavers, including running two young people’s Council’s. My job also involves working closely with senior leadership, service leads and councillors related to Children’s Social Care Services.

If you had a magic wand what would you do with it?  

I’d give every little girl in the world unshakable self-confidence. And I’d make houses self cleaning – no more wasted hours scrubbing the bathroom!

 

Tracey

Why did you become a Trustee for Womens Health Matters?

I first became aware of WHM though the joint work with the Maternity Liaison Services Committee (now Maternity Voices Partnership). I am a doctor who works in the maternity units in Leeds. I am passionate about empowering women to make the right choices for them during their pregnancies. I have particular interests in supporting vulnerable women and supporting those women who may face challenges accessing services. I run a specialist clinic for those women who have had female genital mutilation to ensure they have the right information during their pregnancies and at the time of their births. As WHM also supports those groups of women, I wanted to be able to provide my own support by volunteering to become a trustee.

What is your favourite thing about Womens Health Matters?

Whenever I hear the stories and journeys of women who have been helped by WHM, it reiterates the importance of the work the charity does. Attending the AGM always makes me be proud of what women can achieve, despite often extreme adverse situations. It is so positive to see how women’s lives can change, given the right support and help through WHM.

What do you do outside of Womens Health Matters?

I am a consultant working in the two maternity units in Leeds. I always knew that when I qualified as a doctor that I wanted to work in Obstetrics. I am passionate the care that is provided to women allowing them to make and be supported in the choices for birth.

If you had a magic wand what would you do with it?

I would want all women worldwide to be able to access safe and free health care during pregnancy.

 

 

 

Those of you who have read our blog or newsletter before will know that we try to have a ‘spotlight on’ piece that helps you get to know our team.  This time, we’ve turned the spotlight onto our trustees!!

Every charity has a governing body that takes overall responsibility for its work.  Our Trustee Board are responsible for directing how WHM is governed and run, making sure we’re meeting all of our legal requirements and are doing what we are supposed to do.  Our board work together to support us, they all bring different expertise and skills and are hugely passionate about what we do.  It’s a really important role but it’s a voluntary one, so we are extremely grateful to the six wonderful women who sit on our Board. Let’s meet some of them!

Alison Cater, Chair 

Why did you become a Trustee for Womens Health Matters?

I worked on the Include project for about 3 years and loved the organisation.  As soon as I moved on I was keen to get back involved.  I have been Chair for a few years now and am really proud of the organisation as a whole. In addition to helping WHM continue to support women across Leeds I get so much out of being involved.  As a board we sometimes have to make very difficult decisions and the way we do this boosts my confidence in other areas of my life.

What is your favourite thing about Womens Health Matters?

The way that it walks the walk! Our values and commitment are evident throughout everything we do.  And seeing the impact we have.

What do you do outside of Womens Health Matters? 

I write and deliver training about working with families and children for a range of professionals and organisations.  I do some of this on a self-employed basis and some for Leeds City Council.  I am experienced in safeguarding and lead on this for WHM.  I am also qualified in Public Health and have experience of mapping need, synthesizing the evidence base and evaluating and commissioning services.

If you had a magic wand what would you do with it? 

I am very keen on Amie’s answer (see below) and would also like to see more kindness and curiosity in the world.

 

Amie Tolson, Trustee

Why did you become a Trustee for Womens Health Matters?

Wow, it’s hard to remember after so long! I don’t work due to health problems and wanted a way of giving back to the community. A friend was on the board and kept telling me how great the organisation is, and about all the wonderful work WHM does.  Eventually she wore me down and I joined the board and haven’t looked back, even though it has been challenging at times.

What is your favourite thing about Womens Health Matters?

The fact that the focus is entirely on the women we work with and help, they’re central to the ethos of the organisation. The staff are so enthusiastic about their work, and knowing we’re making a real difference to women who perhaps don’t have anyone else who really cares about them makes all the hard work worthwhile. Anyone who’s been to an AGM will have had tears in their eyes at some point, which is testament to the fantastic relationship between all the women involved in WHM – staff, volunteers, and the women themselves.

What do you do outside of Womens Health Matters? 

As I said before, I’m unable to work. I’ve had a really rough couple of years personally and I’m working really hard to overcome various challenges. I’ve been a service user of several charities similar to WHM, and feel that I bring that perspective to the board. I’ve just joined the committee of a community group, Wheels4Fun, a physiotherapist led cycling group for people with physical disabilities.

If you had a magic wand what would you do with it?   

I’d make chocolate and cake calorie free. Or world peace. It’s a tough choice…

 

Emma Dickens, Trustee

Why did you become a Trustee for Womens Health Matters?

I was approached by a colleague who I worked with in the NHS. She knew that I had previously worked in the charity sector and might be interested in doing something to support a great local charity. So I met the then trustees and signed up on the spot!  It gives me a way to use my skills for a local cause I hugely value.

What is your favourite thing about Womens Health Matters?

The passion of the women that work for the charity, and the difference they make to the lives of women in Leeds.

What do you do outside of Womens Health Matters? 

I am a mum of a 9 year old daughter, and work as Head of Communications and Engagement for Locala Community Partnerships CIC.  Locala is a not for profit social enterprise, providing NHS community healthcare service across Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford.  My role involves a range of skills that I am able to utilise for Womens Health Matters, as I lead on work that includes: internal and external communications, membership development, community and patient engagement, patient experience and volunteering. I work closely with, and report directly to, the Board of Directors, which is also valuable experience.

Prior to this and my previous NHS role as Membership and Involvement Manager at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, I was Head of Fundraising for Sheffield Hospitals Charity.

If you had a magic wand what would you do with it?   

I asked my daughter for inspiration and she said she would make everyone happy. I am not sure I can beat that, although I think I would make it happy, empathetic and kind.  And perhaps treat myself to a few more hours in each day.