Joanna Moore – VAL Trustee
When I became a trustee at Voluntary Action Leicester (VAL) back in 2016, I saw it as a way to stay connected to the charity sector I’d worked in for years. I’d recently moved into the private sector to build a new career, but my heart was still firmly rooted in the world of community impact, collaboration, and social change. Eight years on, being a trustee means even more to me than I expected.
For anyone who’s ever struggled to choose which charity to support, I completely understand the challenge. There are so many incredible causes out there and narrowing it down can feel impossible. That’s one of the things I love about VAL — it supports so many different people and organisations across Leicestershire. From community groups to social enterprises to frontline charities, VAL provides advice, funding support, training, and services that help others deliver their mission. In a way, being a trustee here means I get to help hundreds of other causes, without having to choose just one!
As a Mentor and Coach, I spend most of my time helping SMEs improve strategy and leadership. Being a trustee gives me the chance to use those skills in a completely different context — a larger organisation with a community-focused mission. It stretches my thinking, keeps me learning, and gives me another strategic outlet beyond my everyday work. There’s something genuinely energising about sitting around a table with a group of passionate, diverse board members and shaping the direction of an organisation that makes such a difference locally.
The relationships I’ve built through this role have been another unexpected gift. The charity and business worlds often feel like separate universes, but more and more I’m seeing the crossover, especially at events like the annual VAL Awards. This year, I spotted so many familiar faces from both sides of my professional life. I love that! It reminds me how interconnected our communities really are, and how much good happens when sectors support each other.
Talking about the VAL Awards, they have become a real highlight in my ‘Trustee Calendar’. They capture everything I love about VAL and the voluntary sector: passion, joy, innovation, and huge community spirit. I always leave feeling inspired and incredibly proud to be even a small part of the organisation behind it.
Being a trustee isn’t just about attending meetings or reviewing reports. It’s about staying connected to purpose. It’s about championing people who give their time, energy, and hearts to making life better for others. It’s about learning, contributing, growing, and celebrating the power of community.
I’m grateful every day for the chance to be involved. If you’ve ever wondered whether becoming a trustee is for you, I can wholeheartedly say: give it a try. You might be surprised by just how much you get back.
