Michele Grant

1. First of all, about you: What attracted you to becoming a trustee/chair?

I first applied to be a trustee of Shelter about 15 years ago. I had been a 'Shelter Helper' in primary school. I 'published' a magazine with stories, poems and drawings by my school friends and sold it to raise money. Years later when I was working in a senior role for BBC News I saw the advert for a Shelter trustee with media experience. It seemed fated to be!


2. Which organisation(s) do you represent?

I'm now a trustee of Unlock: The National Association of Reformed Offenders. We recently won the Guardian Small Charity of The Year Award.


3. What particularly attracted you to these organisation(s)?

Two things. First of all I had been in the States for nine years since my time with Shelter. Research in the nineties had shown that care leavers, ex-military personnel and prison leavers made up a substantial proportion of rough sleepers. Ten or more years on I was told that the first two were no longer substantial but the third was worse than ever. So I felt a link to Unlock. Second, Unlock is a charity which is both BY and FOR reformed offenders and they are very focused on doing what actually works.


4. Is there anything that would make you an even more effective trustee/chair?

Having been a trustee of two charities I'm struck by how similar the issues are so I think anything that allows trustees to share insights and best practice across organisations is a good thing.


5. What's the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?

The big challenge is aligning the need to get money through the door with the principles of the charity. There's a lot of money to be had from delivering Government programmes but that can drive a wedge between the charity delivering the services it believes in versus the services that are dictated.


6. What do you consider to be the most satisfying aspect of your role?

Quite simply it's when the staff, who work so incredibly hard, tell you they feel supported. And then with the knowledge that they feel supported, it's about helping to provide greater long-term ambition for the charity.


7. Do you think there is enough general recognition of the value of the trustee/chair role?

Probably not, but then that's not my top priority.


8. Have you felt that the demands made on trustees/chairs have grown over time?

I think the complexity of financing models for charities has grown and that places greater demands on trustees.


9. What do you think is the ideal term of office that a trustee/chair could serve?

I think it depends on the charity but perhaps two consecutive terms of three years feels about right.


10. What tip would you give to a new trustee/chair?

Don't be afraid to ask the obvious questions.


11. If you weren't a trustee/chair, what would you do with that extra time?

Some other kind of volunteering.


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