From 3–7 November, charities across the UK have been celebrating Trustees’ Week, an opportunity to recognise people from all backgrounds who volunteer their time and expertise as charity trustees.
Our trustees bring diverse skills, knowledge, experience and perspectives to St Luke’s, helping us to meet our objectives and grow as an organisation for the people of Sheffield. As a Board, they volunteer their time to oversee the charity and ensure we stay true to our mission.
This week, we’ve been shining a light on some of the amazing individuals who make up our Board of Trustees, sharing what being part of St Luke’s means to them.
Amy Stanbridge, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, shares: “Being a trustee for me helps me to understand how I can contribute to making a fantastic organisation like St Luke’s operate as well as it possibly can.”
“It’s helped me appreciate the complexities of such a multi-layered entity with both medical and non-medical aspects, which massively increases the respect I have for the tireless efforts of everyone striving to offer the best end-of-life care for the people of Sheffield.”
Mark Durling reflected on how the role has broadened his understanding: “It has given me a solid understanding of the role and responsibilities of a trustee and helped me appreciate the complexities of working with patients with a terminal illness. I’ve also gained an insight into the financial pressures faced by the charitable sector and have been part of wider debates, such as funding.”
For Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE, her motivation is deeply personal: “The memory of my dear friend James, who passed away in a hospice, showed me what a good death can look like, which was a blessing at such a difficult time. By widening access to hospice care, I hope it helps encourage more people to discuss what having a good death means, and to ensure that everyone has that opportunity.”
Jon Wadsley, Chair of the Research Committee, spoke about the privilege of witnessing the hospice’s impact: “It’s always great to hear feedback from patients and families about the positive impact that St Luke’s has had at such a difficult time in their lives, and to observe such a fantastic team of people pulling together to provide the best experience for patients, always striving for continuous improvement.
“It has been really eye-opening to understand more about the huge team of staff and volunteers devoted to raising the funds to make this work possible. I want to support the team in continuously developing the services they provide for the people of Sheffield.”
For Adrian Belton, our Chair of the Board of Trustees, his connection to hospice care is personal: “My father received excellent palliative and end-of-life care in the community about five years ago,” he shared.
“Until then, I had no idea about such care or how it was provided. That he passed away peacefully at my sister’s home, surrounded by family, brought home to me just how important the role of a hospice is.
Adrian continued: “The Chair really has two key responsibilities: appointing and maintaining a good working relationship with the right Chief Executive, and setting the right tone from the top - one of openness, integrity, care and respect. Building a Board that embodies those values is where the Chair can make a real difference.”
“The moments that have had the most impact on me include seeing how colleagues at St Luke’s provide such amazing care to patients and support to their families. It is truly humbling to be part of an organisation of over 300 staff and 1,000 volunteers working together to make that possible.”
“Hospices have a leading role in helping us, as a society, to ensure we can all live well and die well. Contrary to what many people think, the atmosphere throughout St Luke’s, in both our In Patient Centre and community services - is often cheerful and full of life, helping to celebrate, not just mourn, the last days of someone’s life.”
“Looking ahead, we must raise awareness of the growing demand for end-of-life care as our population ages, and make sure hospices are adequately funded to meet that need.”
At a time when the national hospice funding crisis is placing immense pressure on services across the country, including here in Sheffield, we are deeply grateful for the dedication and strategic insight of our Board of Trustees. Their guidance helps us make decisions with care and foresight, ensuring we can continue to provide the best possible support to those who need us most.
For more information about our Board of Trustees, please visit www.stlukeshospice.org.uk/trustees