Name: Robert Ritchie
Organisation: Big Life Group
The Big Life group was launched in April 2002 with the mission to Change the World. Since then the group has succeeded at growing social businesses and has created opportunities for people who have had a raw deal in life to change their lives. The Big Life group includes five social businesses and three charities. The Big Life Company is the holding company for Aisha Childcare, Big Life Employment and The Big Issue in the North; Open Door is an affiliated social business; and The Big Issue in the North Trust, Big Life Services and Self Help Services are Big Life charities.
I have been a Trustee for Big Life for just over a year and this is my first Trustee post.
I see the role of a Trustee is to ensure that the charity complies with charity and other legislation, and that it is being run diligently and in accordance with its mission, aims and objectives.
Before becoming a Trustee for Big Life, I was, and still am, a volunteer facilitator for a Self Help Services support group (a charity which is part of The Big Life group). I really enjoyed the role, and I was so inspired by the wider work that Big Life was delivering to disadvantaged people across the community that I decided to apply for a Trustee post.
A piece of advice I would give to anyone thinking of becoming a trustee would be to make sure that you choose a Charity that you are really passionate about, and be clear about what skills and experience you can bring to the organisation. Being a Trustee isn’t just about turning up to meetings; try and involve yourself in other activities the charity has to offer, you will find it a truly rewarding experience.