Five minutes with… Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jackie Oldham

Our staff and volunteers are what make St Ann’s the amazing place it is. Our hospice trustees are also volunteers and ensure proper governance of our charity. They offer invaluable advice and expertise, and they each give significant amounts of time each year in support of St Ann’s. They are all from a variety of backgrounds and hold senior positions in their chosen field. Here we spend five minutes with Jackie, to find out why she became a trustee and what makes her tick.

What does your role as a trustee involve?

As Chair of the Board, I have a strategic role to play to help shape and represent the vision and purpose of the organisation.  I’m also responsible for ensuring St Ann’s functions properly and we look after and safeguard our patients, carers, staff and volunteers to the absolute best of our ability

Why did you choose to become a trustee?

An absolute passion to ensure we provide the best care for as wide a population as possible in Greater Manchester

Why did you choose St Ann’s Hospice?

St Ann’s has an excellent reputation with considerable strategic vision, drive and ambition, great leadership, staff and a phenomenal team of volunteers

What’s the best thing about being a trustee for St Ann’s Hospice?

Meeting patient’s, their carers, volunteers and staff and hearing about the difference St Ann’s has made to their lives and those of the people we care for.

What’s the worst thing about it?

I wish I had more hours to the day to do even more

Tell us about your career

I’m a nurse by training who went onto study for a scientific PhD exploring how nerves speak to muscles. Since then I’ve been interested in healthcare innovation. I’m currently Director of Strategic Initiatives for our innovation teams in Manchester helping drive improvements in health and social care including hospice care, for our Greater Manchester residents.

Do you volunteer for any other charities?

Not at the moment, I want to devote my volunteering time and energies to St Ann’s

What do you get up to outside of work?

Anything outdoors – I crave fresh air – though I hate the rain!

What makes you happy?

Working and spending time with great colleagues and friends who are all pulling in the same direction and time with my partner Alex.

Sum yourself up in three words

Driven, ambitious, loving!