Trustee Week | Championing parent carer voices

A trustee’s role is integral to Demelza and Charlotte holds one of the most important positions of representing the parent carers. She does this not just as a trustee, but also as a mother whose child is supported by Demelza, using her knowledge to benefit the lives of other families as well as supporting a charity that has been there for her and her loved ones. 

Charlotte’s 14-year-old son Freddie has complex epilepsy, and it was after a recommendation from a nurse at his school the family’s journey with Demelza began in 2018. “She said just go and have a look, just because you are looking doesn’t mean this is the end, or that he needs the hospice, but just go and see and make your own views. We were very apprehensive; we didn’t want to come to a children’s hospice because obviously being a parent you just focus on the hospice part of the title,” said Charlotte. 

It was after visiting Demelza that Charlotte and her husband Alex realised it was not as they had imagined, but a happy place for families to enjoy their time together and create lasting memories. Their only regret was not accepting Demelza’s help sooner. 

Alongside her role as a trustee, Charlotte works part-time as a qualified solicitor for Judge and Priestley, a law firm in Bromley that has chosen Demelza as its charity of the year. Charlotte is dedicated to raising awareness about Demelza at her workplace, aiming to break the stigma that hospices are solely places of sadness, but instead filled with moments of joy and happiness for families. “I am always banging on about how they are not all doom and gloom, they [children’s hospices] are really lovely places, full of energy and life. Persuading people to see outside of that label is one of my main aims.” 

In her role as parent carer trustee Charlotte strives to help people and offer support. “The one thing I have enjoyed the most about my role is having a voice for the parent carers and championing them, so the decision makers stop and think. It is not lifechanging in the grand scheme of things but to our parents, carers and families it absolutely is,” she said. 

Not only has being a trustee given Charlotte the opportunity to help others, but it has equally improved her listening skills and empathy for others. She encourages others to consider becoming a trustee because everyone has valuable insights and contributions to share. 

“It doesn’t matter what your profession is, it doesn’t matter what your background is, you all have skills that are needed at charitable organisations. An organisation like Demelza covers so many facets of the world and you need lots of different life experiences so you can make sure that every single family is represented and considered when decisions are being made. 

It means a lot to me to give back to an organisation that has given us as a family so much.” 

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