Charity sector insights
Read our latest charity sector insights.
Trustee spotlight: Chairing change at ESCAPE Family Support
InsightsPublic and social sector insightsTrustees’ Week 2025
Trustee spotlight: ESCAPE Family Support
22 October 2025
As a Senior Manager in the Audit Quality Support team, Holly brings her skills beyond the office — helping families thrive through her trustee role at ESCAPE Family Support.
| What is the charity you are a trustee for, what do they do, and what inspired you to get involved? |
| I am currently the Chair and Treasurer of ESCAPE Family Support who offer education, support, counselling, advice, phone-line and empathy to families (including young people) and carers of drug and alcohol users in Northumberland. ESCAPE won the North East Small Charity of the Year in 2022 and has twice been awarded an Investors in People Platinum status. I became a trustee after attending a Women in Business event where they spoke about how fulfilling being a trustee was and how you could not only give back to people in need by using your current skills but also help progress your career by developing your skills and gaining a different viewpoint. |
| What is the best part of being a trustee? |
| Giving back to my local community which gives me a sense of fulfilment and personal satisfaction, while being able to work with a range of different people from different backgrounds with a common goal has broadened my perspective, and helped to develop my professional and interpersonal skills outside of my day job. |
| What are some of the challenges? |
It can be daunting applying for a role as a trustee when you have never had any experience before but believe in yourself and what you have to offer – you need trustees for all walks of life with a diverse set of skills (including lived experience) to make a great board. When you are a new trustee, initially getting up to date with the charity and your role as a trustee takes time and understanding specialisms that aren’t in your remit – ask questions, people understand there is a learning curve and remember you don’t need to know everything! The time commitment to be an effective trustee can be a challenge depending on what role you take especially when you are balancing a full-time job. |
| What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a trustee? |
If you are considering becoming a trustee, do it. My eyes have been opened to a completely different way of life, and it makes me very grateful for the life that I live because not everyone has the same start in life. Therefore, I consider myself as one of the lucky ones. Being able to use my skills to give back to those people is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done as I contribute towards helping them improve their chances in life, make them aware of the opportunities available to them and make them believe in themselves again. I don’t think I’d be where I am in my career today without being a trustee. It has allowed me to develop my confidence and presenting skills as well as allowing me to understand the perspective of audit clients who deal with governance, future planning, budgeting etc. |
| What does Trustees' Week mean to you? |
Trustees’ Week is a special time to recognise and celebrate the incredible commitment of trustees across the UK. These dedicated volunteers play a vital role in ensuring charities run smoothly, remain accountable, and continue to deliver essential support to their beneficiaries. It’s also an important opportunity to shine a light on the role of trustees and raise awareness of the growing need for more people to step forward and volunteer. As a charity chair, and through conversations with other boards, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it has become to recruit trustees — yet their contribution is absolutely crucial in shaping a charity’s direction and helping it achieve its mission. If you’ve ever considered becoming a trustee, I encourage you to reach out to a charity that’s recruiting. You may be surprised by just how much of a difference you can make and how rewarding the experience can be. |
22 Oct 2025
Trustees’ Week 2025
At Forvis Mazars, we’re proud to work alongside trustees both within our firm and across the sector. Across Trustees’ Week, we’re shining a light on their stories, sharing insights on effective governance, and encouraging others to explore the value of trusteeship.