We are seeking to expand and strengthen our trustee board to help us to continue to support people and families affected by asthma in Medway.

Medway Asthma Self-Help's trustee board consists of people with asthma or who have asthma in the family and those who work/have worked in the respiratory field or have an interest in asthma. On this page, you will:

• Meet our current trustees
• Find out what it is like to be a MASH trustee
• Learn how you could become a trustee with MASH

Our trustee board:

• Paula Hamilton
• Clive Johnson, Treasurer
• Judith Pender
• Samantha Whybrow
• Alan Stockey
• Emma Joy

Here is a snippet of what it is like to be a MASH trustee, from one MASH former trustees Maggie . . . . 

Hi, Maggie here. I am a Trustees here at MASH and I just wanted to share my experience with you all and that being a trustee is really rewarding! Being a trustee is a great way to help you develop your own professional experience, I have now learnt more about being in a governance role and sitting on a board.

    Years of experience is not a requirement, I have never done this before, I would say you just need a passion for the charity and the desire to share your skills. My professional background includes managing staff, policies & procedures in relation to Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity, and contract management. All these skills have been of use since I started as a trustee with MASH.

    There are so many reasons that you should join charity boards. It is an excellent opportunity to give something back to society or do something meaningful outside work, or perhaps you are retiring / have retired and would like a new interest, I can assure you it is also an opportunity to develop new skills and learning opportunities. I have learnt a huge amount from my trustee role already, ranging from understanding a different organisational model and pressure, to learning from the other expertise and perspectives around the table, as well as the importance of being able to focus on strategy instead of interfering with day-to-day operations. I have also been given the opportunity to get to know and work with people from all walks of life, which has made it even more enjoyable.

    Charities can gain so much from having people with skills and experience that their board may lack such as finance, Human Resources, marketing or legal knowledge, and many individuals can gain board-level experience earlier than they might do in their job. My employer has benefited too, as being a trustee has brought new skills and experiences back to my organisation, including exposure to how a board operates, strategic thinking, an awareness of risk management and governance experience.

    If you are reading this and thinking 'I’m not sure…', get in touch, I’m more than happy to chat to you about what the role entails.

Maggie Cane, Former MASH Trustee