Board of trustees

Charity trustees are volunteers who give up their time to help direct the overall strategy of a charity or non-profit organisation, linking in with the CEO and other directors to pass on the strategic view to the staff that will implement it. Our trustees will also make sure to attend some of the staff training sessions and meetings, and shadow shifts to make sure they see LSLCS in action.

I’m Andy and I’ve been a member of the LSLCS Board since 2019; I’m also on the Finance and Quality sub-committees. Professionally I’m now retired but I used to be a freelance consultant, helping charities to understand and demonstrate the value of their work from different viewpoints. I first met LSLCS in 2010 and carried out two full evaluations for the organisation. After I retired I wanted to continue supporting LSLCS, because I was hugely impressed with its ethos and values, and with the importance of its work to people in crisis.

Although much of my current role with LSLCS involves data and finance, I’m very conscious that the organisation is really about people, and I most enjoy meeting staff and visitors to experience how LSLCS works in practice. In my free time I enjoy playing chess and many other board games, but it’s my outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and playing golf very badly, that keep me fit and really benefit my well-being.

My name is Hannah and as part of my role on the board I sit on the finance sub-committee. My journey to LSLCS started back in 2013 as a crisis volunteer. Although I now work in the NHS, I highly value the time I have spent with callers, visitors and staff at LSLCS. I have been fortunate to see how the service has developed over the years and am keen to continue showing my support.

The best part of my role is that I get to hear feedback about different parts of the service and spend time considering what resources are needed to make the good stuff happen. I like that LSLCS offers a different approach to statutory services and feel the survivor-led ethos is an important part of this. Outside of LSLCS I like spending time in the outdoors and have lots of hobbies like walking, climbing, and biking. Being in green spaces (or white snowy ones!) helps me reset so I try to get outside when I can.

I’m Hafsa and I’m a member of the board and part of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sub-group which focuses on promoting a culture of inclusion across LSLCS. I have a background in mental health nursing and have been a young carer for an immediate family member. The survivor-led ethos of LSLCS is what drew me to joining the board, I have first-hand experience of the positive impact of survivor-led work.

I enjoy that I can have such an integral part and voice in how the service operates while bringing a different perspective. As well as this, I also enjoy spending time outdoors (weather permitting!), especially exploring new routes and areas. I have always loved cats and like to spend time with mine, there’s nothing more relaxing than a cosy night in to relax and recharge.

I’m Rosie and I’ve been blessed to be on the board at LSLCS since 2018. I started out at LSLCS volunteering on Connect and I’ll never forget how meaningful it was to support to our callers every shift. The board is full of real people from all walks of life, all with their own experiences of mental health issues or some other kind of connection to the service. We all really care about this place and want to see LSLCS thrive! 

I’ve seen first-hand how our survivor-led ethos spreads throughout the entire organisation. I’ve loved seeing the service flourish and I’m so proud to see the core spirit of LSLCS flow through all the incredible new services we’ve added since I joined. Outside of LSLCS I work as a web and app designer, and I have a massive love for languages and travel! I find languages so rewarding because it focuses and calms my mind, so I make sure to practice every day to keep me grounded. 

Hello I’m Sharon, and I am a newly-appointed trustee to the board. My day job is Deputy Director for Psychological Professions in Leeds & York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, which means I provide leadership and support for the psychological therapists and psychologists within the mental health trust. But to be fair, I don’t do that all by myself!

I have a long history with LSLCS and have worked in partnership with the organisation for many years. I jumped at the chance to become a trustee because of this relationship and my respect and admiration for their work, influenced by the strong survivor-led ethos. I am a keen open water swimmer, and during the pandemic discovered yoga, which I now practice every day. These activities, alongside regular walks in the countryside, help with my mental well-being.