Danielle’s career has spanned health and social care leadership across the charity, private and public sectors. Much of her experience has focused on governance, quality, risk management and operational leadership.

“I feel that I have the skills that would be helpful or useful to such a board.” 

But becoming a trustee was about more then simply putting those skills to use. Danielle was already a trustee with Citizens Advice and was enjoying the opportunity to contribute, but wanted to use her experience in an area she felt particularly passionate about.

“My background, the place I felt more comfortable and where I made a difference was in people services such as supported living, mental health and learning disability services.”

So, when she saw that Caritas Care was looking for trustees, she didn’t hesitate.

“I absolutely jumped at it because I felt like I could add value and also give something back.” 

Why Caritas Care?

Danielle already knew of Caritas Care and its reputation, having working in supported living.

“Caritas Care has a fantastic reputation. They have a good reputation, which is not only hard to get, it’s hard to maintain.”

For Danielle, it was the charity’s values that really stood out to her.

“Caritas Care’s values resonate with me and they are a charity who really hold the people they’re supporting at the heart of what they do.” 

She believes Caritas Care genuinely lives by its values rather that simply using the language associated with person-centred care.

“They really do live up to their values. They’re very much ‘people-centred.’”

For Danielle, words such as holistic, collaborative and co-production can sometimes become little more than buzzwords. At Caritas Care, she feels they really mean something.

“If you say those words in the context of Caritas Care, that completely embodies what we’re about.”

Getting beyond to boardroom

One of the things Danielle enjoys most about being a trustee is the opportunity to see what governance means in practice.

“For me so far, it’s going beyond the governance. Yes, we can sit there and discuss and look at papers, but it’s about bringing that to life and what the governance actually means in reality” 

Getting out and visiting services has been particularly important to her.

“I was very keen to be a proactive trustee. Getting out with Phil and some of the other trustees to see the services has been so important for me to truly understand what the charity is all about.” 

Although Danielle has brought a wealth of experience with her, she recognised that she needed to understand Caritas Care itself before she could properly contribute at Board level.

“I do have experience, but I didn’t have that Caritas Care experience. For me to be able to be critical or supportive enough sat in a boardroom, I needed to really understand the services.”

Proud to be part of something that puts people first.

What makes Danielle most proud is being part of a charity that is built to last; while keeping the people it supports at its heart.

“I’m proud to be part of something that is robust enough to be there for people and that puts people at the heart of what it does.”

She is particularly keen that good governance should never become a matter of ticking boxes.

“It’s not just a governance tick box or a compliance tick box.”

For Danielle, being a trustee also means being an ambassador for the organisation.

“I’m proud that I am part of it and I also feel lucky to be an ambassador for Caritas Care.”

Always learning

Being a trustee has also given Danielle the opportunity to broaden her own knowledge and experience. Before joining the Board, she had limited knowledge of children’s services, other than the transition of young people into adult services.

“I’ve always held my hands up to say children’s services is an area I know little about, so it was an opportunity for me to learn as well.”

Danielle also values being able to learn from other trustees on the Board.

“The Board is a really good mix of people. It’s not your typical Board that you’d expect and that’s what I like.”

Danielle believes that having people with different experiences and knowledge around the table makes a real difference.

“There are other members of the Board that if there’s something I don’t understand, I can go to them and ask and I’ve got to know who to go to and ask.”

Danielle’s advice to future trustees

Danielle’s advice to anyone considering becoming a trustee is simple…

“Go for it…Absolutely go for it!”

She believes people shouldn’t be put off by the language that can sometimes surround trustee roles. 

“Don’t be put off by corporate language, the idea of trustee or non-executive director. Don’t be put off by the barriers of the language.”

You don’t necessarily need to arrive with a specific set of boardroom skills either.

“People who have lived experience are so important, I’d say more important than people with the skills in certain areas.”

And becoming a trustee can be an opportunity for you to develop too.

“You can challenge yourself and you can grow and learn being a trustee.”