To celebrate Trustees’ Week, we are shining a light on our fantastic Board of Governors and the difference they make to our hospice care.
The St Richard’s Hospice Board of Governors is made up of 16 people from a range of professional backgrounds, who give their time and expertise for free.
They work with the Senior Management Team to ensure the hospice continues to operate at the best standard for the community it serves, while helping to steer its long-term development.
John Bawden (pictured) joined the St Richard’s Board of Governors in 2004 following a long career with Cadbury Schweppes. He became Chairman in 2007.
“The overall role of a governor is to be a ‘critical friend’, to ensure decisions are taken as part of a long-term, strategic plan – while providing a sound, well-founded footing for the charity,” he explained.
“We must always remember it is the community’s charity, not the employees’ or the governors’ charity and we work with this thought at the forefront of our minds.
“We know there is an ever-increasing demand for hospice services. We hope by volunteering we can help enhance these services and make the care available to more and more people.
“It gives you a warm feeling when you see the difference the charity’s work makes to people.”
The hospice’s board of governors help ensure vital care and support is provided to more than 3,400 patients, families and bereaved people across Worcestershire every year.
For 2019/20 the cost of running all the hospice services stands at £9.4 million.
St Richard’s received 22 per cent of this from the NHS this financial year, but relies on donations and gifts in wills for the rest.
To find out more about the hospice’s Board of Governors and their backgrounds visit www.strichards.org.uk/about/our-team/our-governors