Becoming a new charity trustee can be daunting; there’s paperwork to be read, meetings to attend and legal obligations to grapple with. But it’s also hugely rewarding, especially when the charity’s cause is close to your heart. CFG's Jessica Meddick explains...
Jessica Meddick, Senior Membership and Insight Officer at CFG, talks to Emma Abbott about her first year as a trustee of Endometriosis South Coast, a small support charity based in the south of England...
Hi Jessie! Mind telling us a bit about yourself and your involvement in the charity sector?
I've always had a passion for the third sector, particularly after studying International Development with Politics at University. My career in the charity sector began at Comic Relief six years ago and a couple of years later, I moved to CFG to work in the charity membership team.
What I love the most about my role at CFG is being able to interact with such a broad range of charities operating across the country, and seeing what amazing things are achieved for so many beneficiaries.
Since leading on CFG's new small charities programme I have learned a lot more about the struggles a small, budding charity can endure when first starting out - and what it takes to keep going.
You're really passionate about supporting small charities. So how did your association with Endometriosis South Coast begin?
During the pandemic I was going through a treatment called Zoladex for my endometriosis because I was unable to have surgery at that time. Everyone's experience of the treatment is different, but I really struggled with it.
As a release, I started an Instagram page called Living with Endo. It was just an outlet for me personally to share my story, thoughts and vent.
Jodie, the founder of Endo South Coast, contacted me asking to help with a survey for her PHD and we arranged a call. We clicked instantly through sharing our diagnosis journeys and I felt she really understood the areas I thought needed improving for endometriosis sufferers.
That really demonstrates the power of sharing lived experience! So how did you end up becoming a trustee?
We talked about how we could help people have a better diagnosis journey than ourselves, and what needed addressing. The more we talked, the more Jodie shared her plans for the charity as a whole.
Given my day job at CFG, I was able to share some knowledge about funding applications and how robust governance and financial planning from an early stage is vital for a charity's success.
Jodie suggested I apply for trusteeship and within 24 hours I had eagerly submitted my application! I still remember where I was standing when I got the email confirming I had been appointed. This was very exciting for me and I felt I could build on the work I had done with my Instagram page and really start to make a difference for the endo community.
How did you feel at that point?
I was full of insecurity. Imposter syndrome set in and I didn't feel well equipped for such a role. Up to that point, I had always viewed trustees as a lot more established in their careers and I felt being a young professional might mean I wasn't up to task. But I felt so passionate about the charity and I could see Jodie's vision and passion.
Not joining was not an option! The other trustees that I work with are all so fantastic in what they do. They made me feel really welcome from the start and I felt like we were all on the learning journey together.
What was your first experience as a trustee? And how did it go?
I travelled down to Portsmouth for my first trustee meeting and just listened to the work that the charity had achieved so far.
We talked about where the charity would focus its efforts over the coming year and by the end I had a to-do list of projects and ideas that would require funding.
On the list was a fundraising ball for the charity's third birthday, which took place last week and was a roaring success! It felt amazing to stand at the event knowing we had made it happen.
You're clearly loving the experience! What's the best thing about being a trustee?
It's having the ability to influence the direction of the charity. In essence, I am a beneficiary as I have the disease we fight to raise awareness for. But it is very empowering to sit in trustee meetings reviewing our project plans knowing I can influence these for the greater good of our beneficiaries.
Not only can we support these people, we can fight to change their path and that is a really rewarding feeling. Being able to talk to stakeholders as a trustee also adds to our mission. For example, I recently attended an APPG at the Houses of Parliament on behalf of Endo South Coast.
The charity is very special to me as not only do they recognise the struggle of patients, they tackle other issues such as inclusion and diversity within the healthcare system and fight to make sure anyone suffering with endometriosis is heard, represented and considered. This has led to a recent National Diversity Award Nomination for the charity.
Our trustee team feel like a family and we come together with the shared passion that no one living with endometriosis should wait seven years to be diagnosed, or refused surgery or all the other horrendous realities patients are currently living with.
What advice would you offer to someone thinking about becoming a trustee?
My advice would be to absolutely do it if you can. I would make sure you really consider the commitment before you make it, as it's time consuming and means that you have to prioritise well.
Secondly, anyone has the power and knowledge to influence. I very nearly talked myself out of applying because of my age and insecurities. But diversity of thought is a powerful tool in any board of trustees, and my opinions and story have been welcomed and respected. I feel very proud to be a trustee of Endo South Coast.
Thank you for your time, Jessie. And all the best to Endometriosis South Coast!