Leicestershire AIDS Support Services

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Trustees

The Board of Trustees are the group of volunteers responsible for the overall governance of LASS. They work in partnership with the paid staff, who are responsible for day-to-day operational management.

This is an extremely rewarding volunteer opportunity, which is also very challenging. Trustees have to learn something about financial systems, health and safety, conflicts of interest, charity law, strategic planning, diversity, fund raising, commissioning and contracts and many other aspects of running an effective charity. Trustees are not expected to be experts in all of these areas but do need to know enough to know when to call the experts in.

As part of a Governance Review, from 2007 all trustees of LASS have committed to working through the National Occupational Standards. We currently do no have any vacancies on our board, however, if you would like any more information or are interested in learning about the role of trustee, please do not hesitate to contact Jenny Hand, CEO: jenny@lass.org.uk.

We would be delighted to hear from you.

Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for the constitution that describes our purpose and setting the policies to support our work and producing an Annual Report.

• LASS Constitution 2009
• LASS Annual Report 2007-2008
• Complaints Procedure
• Confidentiality Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Health and Safety Policy and Arrangements
• HIV Transmission and the Law
• LASS Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy
• Professional and Personal Boundaries Policy

• Rebecca Cameron

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  Bernadette Charehwa

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  Mahesh Mojaria

  Treasurer

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  Barbara Butler

  I am married with two grown-up sons who now live away from home but who regularly return to keep us up to date with their activities and also to enjoy a good feed! I am a retired teacher with several years experience of teaching English as a Second Language, although my initial qualification was in Food and Nutrition.

  My many interests include art, travel and reading, when I have time to pursue them, after fulfilling my role as warden at the village church and as a trustee of LASS.

  I completed the LASS volunteer training course four years ago and have since helped at Tuesday Drop-in and various fund and awareness raising events. I have been a Trustee for twelve months and hope to continue with the commitment I have shown towards the team of staff, volunteers and service users at LASS.

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  Dr. Vincent Riley

  Vincent came to Leicestershire with his family in 1982. He was pleased to be appointed to a Consultant post in Genitourinary Medicine at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. This followed two spells working abroad – in St. Lucia and the Seychelles – and a year in General Practice in Evesham. He has enjoyed every minute of his career which has spanned the history of HIV in Leicestershire, and having recently retired he wishes to continue to contribute to the community in a different way by supporting Team LASS as a Trustee. He says that he still has a lot to learn!

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  Geoff Lilley

  I am a recently retired divorced gay man with a life-partner. I am a father and grandfather. I have had careers which include 20 years in the commercial sector, 6 years as a Health Promotion Officer for a health authority and 17 years in the voluntary sector, mainly around social care and health. I was diagnosed HIV positive in May 1985. I have over 20 years experience of being a volunteer in a few voluntary organisations. The skills I bring to LASS include strategic fundraising, training, people management and commercial competence.

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  Cathy Akabi-Davis; Vice-chair

  Hi – My name is Cathy Davis and I�m a Leicester girl born and bred. I have worked for Northcliffe Media for the past 10 years as Administration Executive to the National Operations Director, the work is very hectic and I have to stand in for my Director on many occasions. I also work Saturdays with people who suffer from Dementia and Alzheimer�s which is not as bad as its sounds. To relax I power walk (at least 5 miles every other day) read, listen to Blues and Soul music and spend time with my family and friends.

  I have been associated with LASS for the past 3 years I�m on the Fundraising and Events committee as well as being Vice-Chair for the Board of Trustees. For the past year I have been training with VOCALLS Leadership programme which I have found to be a great asset. We have covered everything from Strategic Planning to Governance to Fund Raising. Some of what I have learned I can put to good use in my every day life I like to think that I can �spread the word� for LASS and make as many people understand what we are about and that one day we will be �up there� with the big boys.

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  Jo Chapman; Chair

  Hello, my name is Jo Chapman and I come from Leicester. I have had a retail business in the city for the last 23 years. In conjunction with running the business I undertook a BA Honours degree in Health Studies at DeMontfort University graduating in 1997 having chosen HIV/AIDS as my specialised research subject.

  I became a LASS volunteer in 1999 and since that time have been involved in the Fundraising and Events group. I became a member of the Management Committee in May 2002, serving as Vice Chair for a period of 2 years and became Chair in March 2006. Skills brought to the Board of Trustees: Business experience gained as an employer, Communication and �people� skills, Knowledge of issues surrounding HIV/AIDS gained through my degree research.

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  Lois (Lillian) Nevins

  My name is Lois Nevins. I was born in Jamaica and moved to the UK many years ago.I was married with a family, but now divorced. I worked for the NHS for many years but I am now retired. I became a volunteer for LASS four years ago, my particular jobs are fund-raising and public awareness which I love and enjoy doing.

  Skills I feel I bring to Trustee Board would be firstly, my own personal experience as a more matured person. Secondly, Communication, Listening, Counselling Skills, Empathy, Respect for others, understanding the needs, feelings of other culture, and cultural background. Being able to voice my opinion when necessary, or appropriate, always be aware of confidentiality, and always be willing to meet others half-way.

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  Patrick Bowe

  I was born and grew up in the Republic of Ireland. I am an Irish citizen. I am 45 years of age and have lived in the UK since 1983 and in Leicester since 1986.

  I love living in Leicester and most of my friends and connections are in Leicester. For me Leicester is home.
  I am an openly gay professional and I am a barrister practising out of chambers in Nottingham.

  Before I became a barrister in 2000 I worked in catering and I trained as a hotel manager in Ireland before I left Ireland.

  I have lost some very close and dear friends to AIDS related diseases and I am motivated to involve myself as fully as I can in the life of LASS.