Anita Wallace, chair of the Lymphoedema Support Network, has won the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network’s Trustee of the Year competition.
Wallace, who won with 27% of the vote, joined the charity in 1996 as a volunteer and has supported it through its growth. Wallace’s nominator said that the organisation has thrived because of her energy, skill, hard work and determination.
Congratulations to Anita Wallace and to all those who were shortlisted. For terms and conditions, click here.
The shortlist
David Gray – Childreach International
David Gray has been a trustee since 2011 and treasurer since early 2012, regularly providing support to the rest of the board and the senior management team. Gray’s nominator said that he has shown strong leadership and has successfully engaged the rest of the board in the charity’s financial matters.
The charity has endured some challenging times during Gray’s tenure. Despite this the charity has received glowing feedback from its auditors, which his nominator says is testament to Gray’s keen eye for detail, his patience and expertise. He has also mentored the charity’s finance director, who through Gray’s support recently achieved chartered management accountant status.
According to his nominator Gray has been instrumental in shaping and developing strong governance procedures within the charity, and helping to build a more balanced and experienced board of trustees. During 2014 the charity developed its strategic plan for the coming three years, and Gray helped senior management to develop a process, that enabled trustees, staff and beneficiaries to contribute.
Minna Ireland – One Awards
Minna Ireland has been a trustee at One Awards for 14 years. During this time Ireland has been a committee member, chair of the finance committee and has provided additional support whenever needed – often travelling up the A19 to sign a cheque or participate in a working group. Despite suffering ill health in recent years her support has not wavered and her attendance record at board and committee meetings is yet to be beaten. Ireland’s nominator said that her warm personality and dedication has been an asset to the organisation and that “she has gone over and above her duties because she is passionate about what we do”.
Ireland, who stepped down in October, is said to be a critical friend to the organisation and ensures that the charity remains financially sound and sustainable. She played a key role in negotiating service level agreements and supported the organisation through its regulatory reviews. Ireland’s nominator said that she always understands the important differences between governance and management and has been an excellent sounding board and support for chairs and chief executives as well as a mentor for new trustees.
Ayvin Rogers – B Sharp
Ayvin Rogers co-founded B Sharp, a young people’s music charity, and has been chair since 2008. In this time Rogers has led its growth from a small-town organisation into a nationally-respected charity. His leadership ensures good governance, that the trustees actively contribute their skills and that they take part in discussions that encourage, challenge and oversee policy, finance and sustainable development.
Rogers works 20-30 hours a week as a volunteer and ambassador for the charity. He regularly attends partner and sector meetings, and as chair initiates strategic development including succession planning and diversifying income streams. He has raised more than £500,000 for the charity and has built B Sharp Resources, a website with more than 1,000 hyperlinks to the world of music education, for educators and young people’s progression.
Louis Stokes – Step up to Serve
Louis Stokes is a young trustee who champions youth engagement and youth social action. His nominator says Stokes “walks the walk”, as he started volunteering for the NSPCC aged 11. Stokes helped to influence a change in the law around sex and relationships education and recently became one of ChildLine’s youngest counsellors in the UK. Part of the charity’s #iwill campaign is increasing the number of social action opportunities for young people in the health and social care sector, and Stokes is said to play a key role in promoting this. He recently put his name to the foreword into a recent report and regularly arranges visits for his fellow trustees to hospitals in his area to see youth social action in action
Anita Wallace – Lymphoedema Support Network
When Wallace developed lymphoedema, while in recovery from breast cancer, she sought out ways she could help others with the condition. She joined the organisation in 1996, when it had fewer than 100 members, as a volunteer stuffing envelopes. Wallace soon joined the board and less than two years later, in 2000, became chair.
The charity now has 65 local groups, nearly 4,000 members and is the leading information provider for the condition. Wallace’s nominator said that the organisation has thrived because of Wallace’s energy, skill, hard work and determination.
Wallace spends at least one day in the office manning the help line, editing information, challenging the lack of adequate care and all without recompense - she even still pays her £15.00 membership. Her nominator says “she is simply an inspiration”.
