After retiring from a career in social care, Andy wanted to continue doing something meaningful, but he was also looking for something new.

“I wanted to do something that was relevant and something that was interesting,” Andy says. “I’d done quite a lot of the roles in social care, so I wanted to use my knowledge and experience from a different perspective as well.”

Having known Caritas Care for many years through his work and connections with the charity, Andy was already familiar with our work and values. After a conversation with then CEO Susan, he decided becoming a trustee was an opportunity he wanted to explore.

“I really wanted to be involved in the work of the charity in some way, but in a way that was very different. I thought the role of the trustee would fit well…and it has!”

Why Caritas Care?

Andy had previously worked at Caritas Care and so had seen the charity’s work first hand. He also knew many of the people working there.

“I really respected the values of the charity. I really respected the staff working in the charity because I knew a lot of them. So, I think that’s why Caritas Care seemed the ideal charity to become a trustee,” he says.

For Andy, becoming a trustee also offered the chance to bring his experience to the charity and a it was a new challenge for him.

“I’d been at a similar charity for 15 years and I didn’t really want to go back to that charity, but Caritas Care offered something fresh and a new opportunity for me.”

A chance to make a difference

Andy is now Chair of the Board of Trustees and particularly enjoys the opportunity to contribute to the charity’s strategic direction.

“The trustee role is very strategic. We have a real opportunity to make a difference in the direction of a charity, where we’re hoping to go, where we’re hoping to get to, and what we hope to do.”

Andy also enjoys the variety of perspectives around the board.

“The trustees are a fantastic group of people. They all bring a range of skills to the board, which are utilised. I just enjoy listening to them and the contributions that they all make.”

For Andy, the range of perspectives is one of the things that makes being a trustee so interesting.

“They’re not always what I expect, but they’re always really valuable.”

Being a trustee is a significant responsibility, but Andy says it is also a rewarding and manageable way to continue contributing after retirement.

“It’s not too demanding. We have quarterly meetings and other things that go on in between as well, but it’s a really key role in the charity.”

Andy particularly values being able to see the difference the Board’s contribution can make.

“You actually feel that you’re getting something done,” he says.

And for Andy, there is a bigger picture too.

“Caritas Care has been around for nearly 100 years now and I want it to be here for another 100. The time that I spend on the board, I want to make a difference – and I really feel that it does.”

Could you become a trustee?

For anyone considering becoming a trustee, Andy’s advice is simple – be curious, bring your experience and be prepared to discover something new. 

“I think you’ll be absolutely fascinated by what you find out about Caritas Care, how the board works and how we can make a difference to the day to day running and the strategic direction of the charity.”

And you don’t need to have been a trustee before.

“We’ve got some new trustees recently and they very quickly got up to speed and made great contributions to the board meetings,” says Andy.

Most importantly, Andy believes that the experience and expertise you have gained throughout your own life and career can make a real difference.

“Your expertise in your own life and your working experience will be absolutely invaluable to us, and you’d be really appreciated,” he adds.

For Andy, becoming a trustee has been a chance to keep contributing, meet a great group of people, use his experience in a new way and help shape the future of a charity he truly believes in.

Andy encourages anyone thinking about becoming a trustee with Caritas Care, he says, “You’d get a lot out of it, please get in touch if this is a role you’d be interested in.”