Vanessa

Vanessa decided to join Cruse Scotland’s Board of Trustees as it was a charity close to her heart, receiving support after her older brother died in September 2020.

Vanessa has spent almost 30 years working in the charity sector in fundraising and communications roles, currently the Director of Fundraising for EMMS International, an overseas development agency. She was keen to learn more about governance.

She said: “I had worked closely with some incredibly supportive Trustees as a staff member, so I wanted to experience things from the other side. It made sense to join Cruse Scotland, as it is a charity close to my heart.

“After I lost my older brother suddenly in September 2020 from a catastrophic stroke, I reached out to Cruse Scotland’s Helpline to help me navigate not only my own grief, but my elderly parents’ grief. 

“Then, when we lost our beloved mum last year, I was by then a Trustee and knew which resources to read and to whom to reach out.”

Volunteering with Cruse Scotland has given Vanessa an additional sense of purpose and responsibility and the opportunity to work with a vast range of people from varied backgrounds and diverse skills.

Vanessa shares what the main responsibilities of being a trustee are and what excites her about the future of Cruse Scotland.

She added: “Making sure the charity sticks to its strategic objectives and delivers public benefit, safeguards assets, and ensures funds are spent responsibly. 

“Steering the long-term direction of the charity, identifying potential risks, and setting policies to mitigate them. Finally, making sure the charity follows all relevant regulations, particularly around fundraising and communications.

“I am excited to be a key player in creating a compassionate Scotland where everyone’s grief will be properly understood and supported.”