Trustees support those who need it most.
Have you ever considered becoming a trustee for a local, regional or national charity? Have you ever considered the importance of using your skills and experiences to support those who need it most? I have spent considerable time volunteering for local charities both in the UK and overseas. But becoming a trustee was not something I had actively considered until earlier this year, when I was appointed as a trustee for the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC).
Why I became a trustee
Though much of my time is spent running and developing CrystalEyes, it is important to have outside interests. I have spent considerable time supporting organisations who place development opportunities for those with disabilities at the core of their identity and in this respect, RSBC was a great fit. The charity’s work really excited me, and I felt that I could make a real difference, particularly as the charity’s work centres on giving blind and vision impaired young people a genuine start in life. But above all, becoming a trustee gives you new skills, perspectives and experiences, which can all be transferred in to the world of work.
What the RSBC does
First and foremost, RSBC is their for any blind or vision impaired young person and their family. The moment of diagnosis can come as a shock. So the charity supports families to access the required practical and emotional support. In addition, the charity seeks to empower blind and impaired young people to lead a life without limits. This is achieved by equipping them with the skills to live independently, by providing the opportunity to gain vital qualifications, as well as the skills to seek and maintain sustainable employment and by promoting the use of new and existing technology. Finally, the charity works with local partners to enable blind and vision impaired young people to experience equality of access and opportunity.