#MyGivingStory – Why I became a Trustee 

by Christopher Ward, (Trustee and Vice Chair of the Board)

"If we are not getting older ourselves, we almost certainly know someone who is. 

We also know that as we get older, many things become more difficult. In a supportive family the difficulties may not be so obvious, because there are people around to give support and friendship. For those who are not so fortunate, with no family close at hand, and few close friends, the difficulties of old age become ever heavier burdens. Loneliness, health problems, financial worries, transport difficulties, the simple details of keeping body and soul together, all these mount up to take the joy out of life at a time when we should all be able to enjoy the life that we have.

The number of older people in our community are increasing year on year. This means that these difficulties are not limited to an isolated few, but become a national and local social problem. There are a number of charitable organisations who recognise and feel this keenly, and want to do whatever they can to help older people live more fully. Age Connects Morgannwg is one of those, with an outstanding reputation for giving support where it is needed most.

In my own retirement, as the notion of being an “older person” became a slightly worrying reality, I wanted to be more involved in this work, whose value I recognised more and more as I grew older myself. I therefore volunteered and was accepted as a Trustee of Age Connects Morgannwg.

I have a business background and I hoped that this experience would be a useful contribution to the thinking, planning and analysis that is essential for the on-going success of any charity. Laudable aims are of little value if the charity is unable to deliver the support that older people really need. To succeed today charities have to be business-like in achieving their charitable aims and objectives. I hope that in some small way I can help Age Connects Morgannwg be both a leading charity and a successful business for the benefit of older people."

Christopher Ward, Trustee and Vice Chair of the Board