This week is Trustees' Week (1-5 November), an annual event which highlights the wonderful work Trustees do and encourages others to get involved and make a difference. 

Here at Aspens we have ten fantastic Trustees who volunteer their time for us and benefit our charity enormously by providing invaluable support and guidance through their wide breadth of skills and expertise in a variety of fields such as law, marketing, technology and finance. We take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to them all for all the vital work they do for Aspens. 

Throughout the week we're hearing from some of our Trustees and learning what their role involves, what they enjoy about it and why others should consider becoming a Trustee.

Today we hear from Aspens' Trustee, Steph Upton. 

Steph brings 17 years’ experience in marketing in the not-for-profit sector. The majority of her experience has been in charities working to empower people with disabilities and their families, a cause that she is passionate about and which is at Aspens’ heart. 

"As a volunteer Trustee I contribute to organisational decision-making and governance to help to ensure Aspens is always keeping the people it exists for at its heart. I attend Board meetings and I’m a member of the Governance Committee.

I’ve always been motivated by the work of the charity sector. When professionally my career took a different direction, I wanted to stay connected to a charitable cause and use my time, skills and energy to help.

I’m a communications, marketing and engagement professional with experience rooted in the charity and not-for-profit sector. I’m also a mother to a lively 4 year old! I draw on skills and experience from both my professional and personal life in my Trustee role. Whilst I enjoy giving what I can, I’d say I equally enjoy getting just as much back from my fellow Board members, colleagues in the Executive team and wider Aspens community. We learn and grow together.

Being a Trustee is a great way to utilise and further enhance leadership skills, contributing to an organisation at the highest level of influence. It’s also really inspiring and motivating to see the difference the charity’s work is making every day directly to the lives of those it supports.

If you're considering becoming a Trustee for a charity, all experience and skills are welcomed – you don’t need to be working (or have had any work experience) – everyone has something to contribute from their life.  

The best thing about being a Trustee for Aspens is the people! It feels a privilege to be connected to everyone who makes the Aspens community thrive."

Steph Upton 

Find out more about #TrusteesWeek here.