‘Magnificent Seven’ new trustees join Disability Action Yorkshire board
DAY's new Board
A North Yorkshire disability charity has welcomed seven new trustees, including a Paralympic rower - to its board.
Laurence Whitely MBE, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the Mixed Double Scull, is one of two new members with disabilities to take on the important role at Harrogate-based Disability Action Yorkshire.
He is joined by Carl Howard, Colin McCorkindale, Kathryn Leigh, Peter McBay, Susanne Driffield, and Andrew Simister, who suffered life-changing injuries in an accident earlier this year.
Owing to the retirement of several long-standing trustees, the charity – which this year celebrates its 85th anniversary - conducted a full skills and experience audit, and as a result was able to recruit trustees with the necessary attributes.
The new trustees will ensure the continuing success of the charity, which provides a range of high-quality services, empowering disabled people to live a life of their choosing.
Disability Action Yorkshire’s charitable work involves multifaceted support for disabled people across the region, including support from a Personal Assistant, support from assistive technology, residential care, business services including help with DBS applications, as well as meeting rooms for hire, among many other support channels.
The new trustees, together with existing ones led by Chair Neil Revely, will oversee exciting new projects, including the £7.5m assisted living development currently under construction in its Claro Road residential care home site, which aims to give its disabled customers ‘their own front door’.
For the project, the charity has partnered with Highstone Housing Association to create 36 purpose-built one- and two- bedroom apartments, as well as a base for Disability Action Support staff, who will be onsite 24-hours-a-day.
The charity is also promoting accessibility in the Harrogate District, advising businesses how to make their sites more accommodating for disabled customers, whilst raising awareness around accessibility in general.
Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to welcome these ‘Magnificent Seven’ new trustees, among whom there is a huge amount of skill and experience.
“We are particularly pleased to have been able to recruit more trustees with lived experience of disability, meaning that more than 50 per cent of our trustees have either personal or family experience, something which we considered to be hugely important.
“Our new recruits will help ensure excellent governance as the charity moves forward, as we continue to empower and support the local disabled community.”
Pictured backrow from left are Disability Action Yorkshire Chief Executive Jackie Snape, new Trustee Carl Howard, Chair Neil Revely, new Trustee Peter McBay and Trustee Guy Tweedy. Pictured front row from left are new trustee Andrew Simister, new Trustee Susanne Driffield, new Trustee Kathryn Leigh and Trustee Andrew Newton. Not pictured are Colin McCorkindale and Lawrence Whitely.
Further information about Disability Action Yorkshire, is available from its website, www.disabilityactionyorkshire.org.uk
