I have lived in Berkswell for over 30 years now. I do not have paid employment - however, with two grandchildren under three years old and several other significant projects I am involved with on a voluntary basis, I'm always busy "working". Luckily whilst the Berkswell Charities Trustee meetings are generally held in the evenings, there are plenty of other things going on that can happen during the day or weekend at a time that suits people's availability.
St John Baptist Church have two nominated Trustees on Berkswell Charities. One of the nominated Trustees resigned, and I was approached as to whether I would be prepared to take on the role and fill the vacancy. I did think about if for a week or so before agreeing to become a Trustee.
In the past, I had been a Trustee on the Lant charity and worked with Berkswell Charities Trustees on various matters, so I knew what they did and what the role would entail.
What I have enjoyed during my first year
I have enjoyed my first year as a Trustee very much. Whilst I had worked with Berkswell Charities Trustees before, there were still plenty of things to learn about all that they do and how it gets done. Seeing the positives that come from the work the Trustees and Clerk do is very fulfilling and being able to explain why some things cannot or did not happen is also worthwhile and helps people understand the works of the Charities.
Things I have been involved in during my first year
I have been involved with quite a wide range of things. From attending the regular monthly meetings as a Trustee, to being Quiz Master at the Almshouse resident's summer party, to writing a detailed purchase specification for specialist project management services, to stopping the alarm sounding at the Village Stores late one Saturday afternoon, to attending public information roadshows about the Charities projects, to providing a commentary on the Charities' strategy (from a new Trustees perspective) and articles for the website. I have also had lots of conversations with locals about the works of the Charities, what they are - and are not - responsible for and how they could potentially help people in need.
Would I recommend being a Trustee?
Absolutely. If you have an interest in helping people, then I would strongly recommend it. You do not need to be an expert, knowledgeable about or qualified in finance or law or property management or anything else, just be willing to get involved and give a bit of time for the benefit of others.
What has surprised me most from my first year
The things that surprised me most was how much work goes in to maintaining the Charities land and properties, and just how much of each we actually had to deal with.
How Berkswell Charities helps the local community
You only have to walk around the area to see how Berkswell Charities help the local community. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people walk by without realising the difference made by donations from the Charities.
The main thing people associate the Charities with is the Almshouses on Church Lane and Cromwell Lane. These help local people stay in the community and get the help they need.
Berkswell Primary School is a regular beneficiary from the Charities and helped expand the school from a small village school to the impressive place it is today, maintaining the buildings and providing grants to help some pupils with equipment and trips that they would not be able to afford otherwise. But the Charities do not just help Berkswell School, they helped Balsall Common Primary School with their swimming pool so pupils could learn to swim, and Heart of England School by providing refurbishment and new equipment for the science and music departments, benefiting many pupils' education in those subjects.
St John Baptist Church is also a regular beneficiary, and the Jordan and Bercul Room extension would not have been built without considerable support from the Charities.
Sports-wise, the Charities have supported the Hornets football club, cricket club and rugby club with grants for facilities and/or equipment.
The new Scout House in Church Lane would not have been built without the support of the Charities. It is not just used by the 53rd Scouts, it is used by other groups and also acts as a Polling Station on election day. The Charities have also donated to the Jubilee Centre on Station Road.
There are also numerous other grants, to people in need of educational or medical equipment or support that are made that would be invisible to most.
So, I think it's fair to say Berkswell Charities has had a significant impact in helping the local community, but it needs volunteer Trustees to make that happen. Not all projects are big activities with long timescales, some are small and needed quickly to help people. If you have an interest in helping other people, then I'd strongly recommend you apply or just get in touch for a chat to see if it really is something you could help with.
Graham Parry