WILLOW Wood Hospice is appealing for skilled and experienced people to join its Board of Trustees.
The Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, provides specialist and compassionate care for people from Tameside and Glossop with any life-limiting illness and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Willow Wood needs at least £3.3 million every year to run and, with approximately 21 per cent of that amount coming from the Government, relies heavily on the generous support of the local community to continue providing its vital services.
Trustees are crucial to the work of Willow Wood. With their support, scrutiny and challenge, the Hospice is able to grow and operate effectively.
The role of a trustee can be demanding but ultimately very rewarding, as their contribution helps to make positive changes to people’s lives and will shape the future of Willow Wood for years to come.
The Hospice is seeking trustees from a variety of backgrounds, including those with clinical experience, faith leaders, local government officials, and business professionals, among others.
Martin Willescroft, Honorary President and Trustee at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “What matters most is your enthusiasm and commitment to the Hospice. This role goes beyond attending meetings – it’s about being an active, hands-on participant in our mission.
“You will be involved in both governance responsibilities and proactive initiatives, helping our teams to bring comfort, kindness, and support to people with life-limiting illnesses during the most challenging times. By joining us, you will truly become part of something extraordinary.”
Joanne Ormston, a qualified Chartered Accountant and Managing Partner of a local law firm, has been a Willow Wood trustee since January 2021. She joined the Board for two main reasons.
“I was keen to do some volunteering work generally to offer some time and expertise in something where I felt I could make a difference,” Joanne said.
“I needed something to fit in with my current work commitments and young family so I thought that being involved in meetings when needed, given this was how I spent my days anyway, would be a useful way to help.
“I decided that a Hospice was where I wanted to offer my help as my mum sadly passed away from cancer in 2020 and the care she received from a local Hospice made such a difference to her quality of life and offered much-needed help to my dad who was her carer in the final weeks.
“My mum helped in any way she could during her illness, taking part in clinical trials and any research needed to help others in the future, so I wanted to continue that sentiment in her memory in a way I knew I could.
“Willow Wood is a local Hospice to me and offers such care and assistance to those families that need help that I knew this is where I wanted to offer my time and help to continue the great work they do.”
Joanne enjoys seeing local people benefit from the Hospice’s existence and recommends becoming a trustee to others thinking about getting involved.
“I enjoy hearing stories of how patients both in the Hospice and at home have benefitted from the care that the Hospice provides and knowing that I have been a very small part of that brings me a lot of happiness and a sense of ‘giving something back’ which is important,” she explained.
“I enjoy working with the other trustees – it’s very much a team approach and we all listen and respect the view of everyone involved as every person brings a different skill set and approach.
“I also enjoy chatting to the vast number of volunteers in and around the Hospice offering their time and expertise, it reminds me of what can be achieved if people work together with the success of the Hospice at heart.
“I believe that anyone who decides they want to join as a trustee would be happy with their decision. The Hospice needs as much help as possible and no matter what you can offer, even if in a small way, will be key in us being able to continue with the work being done and the difference it makes to people when they need help the most.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Willow Wood Hospice trustee can find out more, including how to apply, at https://willowwood.org.uk/vacancies/trustees/