A group of Cumbrian business, community and health leaders have been appointed to the board of trustees of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.
The five new trustees have just started their roles and will play a key role in supporting the vital charity which cares for local adults and children with life limiting illnesses.
Trustees work for the organisation on a voluntary basis and have overall responsibility for the governance of the hospice, along with supporting its strategic development.
The board also ensures that the charity maintains and develops its services to the local community, is well run and meets its legal and financial obligations.
The new trustees are Gwyn Lishman, Ann Noblett, Paul Turney, Matt Hall and Paul Agnew.
Gwyn, 43, who lives in Seaton with his wife and young daughter, has been an occupational therapist for more than 20 years and has almost 10 years’ experience with the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator for health and social care.
Gwyn currently works as a wellness programme lead and lead occupational therapist in the Copeland Primary Care Network leading social prescribing, health coaching, learning disability and children’s community teams.
He said: “I’ve always been keen to support services that make a real difference to people’s lives, especially those we take for granted outside of the NHS. The hospice is a prime example of a highly valued and essential service to the people of north Cumbria.
“Through my work, I’ve seen first-hand the amazing care and treatment people have received from the hospice, it’s a real privilege to be a trustee for such an amazing organisation that really does have a true person-centred care approach.”
Ann, a physiotherapist with almost 30 years’ experience from north Cumbria, has spent all her working career in the county, predominately in the Carlisle area. She has worked in the Carlisle Community Rehabilitation Service, most recently in pain services, and latterly as a lecturer at the University of Cumbria.
Ann, 59, who is married with five grown-up children and three grandchildren, said: “As a physiotherapist I visited and treated patients who were resident at the hospice and was aware of the massive support that hospice services can provide not only for the patient but also their family, loved ones and carers.
“As a team lead and clinician my focus was ensuring the delivery of excellent holistic care and support to patients and ensuring staff had the training and support to deliver those services. Since my retirement in 2022 and now that my children have left home, I feel this is the right time for me to join the board of trustees.”
Paul Turney joins the board with more than 30 years’ experience in the finance sector. Paul has extensive experience of working within health and social care while employed by Cumbria County Council and currently works for national charity Making Space as chief finance officer. In addition to his paid roles, Paul is also vice-chair of governors at Trinity School and a coach and treasurer at Carlisle Junior Tri Club.
He said: “I was attracted to the role of trustee as I frequently see the excellent work the hospice does and the support it gives to families at the most challenging times in their lives. What the hospice provides is unique, not available elsewhere and essential for families, so I wanted to be able to support the valuable work staff and volunteers do.”
Matt, from the Keswick area, has a history of working as a senior manager and consultant in the arts sector but now heads up capital developments and estates for a national children’s cancer charity.
The hospice holds a special place in Matt’s heart as it’s where his mum spent her final days in 2018 and a place where he and his family forged many precious memories.
He said: “The hospice supported my mum and our family during 2018. I saw from that experience the incredible, positive impact that the hospice can have on the lives of those it supports in what is often the most challenging circumstances. I’ve always wanted to give back in some way and use my own expertise to help the hospice give that support to others – I feel really privileged to be joining as a trustee to do just that.”
Carlisle-based Paul Agnew, a 30-year food industry veteran who has run businesses in the USA, Poland and the UK, is currently managing director of the UK division of a European multinational food business. Formerly of Maryport, he is married with three children and six grandchildren.
He said: “I have served in various charitable capacities over the years, most recently serving as the national president of Round Table, supporting over 300 groups of young men around the UK and Ireland to make a difference in their towns and cities through volunteering and fundraising.
“At the end of my presidential term in Round Table I was keen to leverage the skills and network I’d gained for the benefit of my local community. So, with the help of Cumbria CVS, I was introduced to the hospice and was blown away by the deep care and commitment of the team, yet shocked at the mammoth task involved in finding funding for such an integral service. I count myself very lucky to have this opportunity to support and champion these amazing people with their important work.”
