Over the summer, Trustees spent time job shadowing teams across the charity. This has given us the chance to hear first-hand from employees about what is impacting them and their work, and to get a real understanding of the difference Havens Hospices makes to the lives of those we support.

This week is National Trustees Week, so this is a chance to introduce you to them and tell you about their experiences!

Here’s Rakesh Krishnan’s experience …

Rakesh is a Business Consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services Sector. When the opportunity arose to join Havens Hospices as a Trustee in 2021 Rakesh jumped at the chance to use his expertise in leadership, management and digital transformation to help Havens Hospices. Because of Rakesh’s experience in the corporate sector, he wanted to spend his time learning about something different so visited the Fundraising Team to see what goes into raising the money the charity relies on.

“My visit to meet the Fundraising and Marketing Teams helped me to gain an understanding of how fundraising operates and what are the various aspect to it such as legacies, donations, corporate support and more.

I managed to speak with various Fundraising Team members who explained the various stages involved in raising money – support from corporate businesses, legacies, how we process the money that is donated (including cheques!) and why we send thank you cards to those who have taken time to donate. Judy, Head of Fundraising, helped to set the context around fundraising in general and then individual meetings with Lucy, the Community Events Manager, Cherish, a Philanthropy Fundraiser, and Claire, Donations Processing Assistant helped me dive deeper into each aspect of fundraising and what role each individual team played in raising the money needed. I also had the pleasure to meet the Marketing Team, to see what goes into maintaining the Havens Hospices brand and raising awareness for the charity. They took me through our marketing activities, which are much wider than I expected and quite varied!

Rossella, the Senior Corporate Fundraiser, helped me understand the corporate side of raising money and later I joined her at Little Havens to meet some of the newly recruited Corporate Volunteer Ambassadors for a tour and their introduction.

I really enjoyed the whole experience, it is easy to overlook the effort which goes into raising money for our hospice care and how the community is engaging in various activities to support the cause. When I was with Rossella and our new volunteers, I also joined their tour of Little Havens and it was an amazing reminder for me of the facilities we have and the support we offer to families. Just from spending time across both hospices, the passion and enthusiasm which I noticed in each staff is commendable. You can tell that they find deep satisfaction in knowing they are making a positive impact, whatever their role.

My experience taught me lots about what goes into fundraising and marketing for the charity. For fundraising I now better understand the planning and preparation involved in executing a fundraising event, and how the focus is on raising income but also an incredible supporter experience so people want to support the charity again and again. My time with Marketing highlighted how important it is that we have various, well-planned and co-ordinated campaigns to maximise income, support for the hospice and awareness in our local community.

Job shadowing helped me to gain first-hand experience of what goes on behind the scenes to ensure the charity has the money needed to operate. Meeting different people across the team has introduced me to lots of roles and the people who are at the heart of the organisation which will only support my decision-making as a trustee.

“I believe the whole experience has strengthened my personal commitment to the organisation’s mission and motivated me to be a more resolute and effective trustee.”

Published 8th November 2024