East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices’ (EACH) new Chair of Trustees says she feels honoured to take on the role and determined to help the charity deliver its vision to reach as many families as possible.
Nicky Richardson, who by day is Village Director at Center Parcs’ Elveden Forest, first joined the organisation in September 2024.
She says she has loved being involved over the past two years, learning plenty and finding the role hugely satisfying.
Now she is excited for the next chapter, heading up the board of trustees.
“It’s almost my second birthday as a trustee, and my love and passion for EACH continues to grow,” said Nicky.
“There’s so much to learn when you first join the board, particularly about how best to support the amazing executive team here as they continue to expand the care and support available to children, young people and their families.
“Our trustee meetings are held within the hospices, so you get the opportunity to see what’s happening, speak with the team delivering the care and even meet some of the young people being supported.
“My colleagues are brilliant and bring a range of knowledge and skills to our meetings, and I always have engaging conversations and discussions with both them and the management team.
“While being a trustee requires a significant time commitment, the feeling of satisfaction after a hospice visit or board meeting makes everything so worthwhile.
“As I said when I joined, this isn’t just about having something new on my CV. It’s about trying to make a genuine difference, and I’m looking forward to working closely with (EACH Chief Executive) Kevin (Clements) and the executive team to help shape and support the charity’s future endeavours.”
EACH launched its new care strategy earlier this year, setting out how it plans to grow and transform services to support more families.
It is underpinned by seven key commitments, and one of them is ‘We will be inclusive’. This means welcoming every child, young person and family who needs support, making sure no-one is left out.
“I feel highly honoured to have been asked to take on the role of chair by my peers and hope I can do the role justice,” added Nicky.
“I certainly have big shoes to fill after replacing Brad McLean, who’s been an excellent trustee for the last decade and chair since 2023.
“He brings both business knowledge and expertise to the role, but also the lived experience of a father whose child was supported by EACH. The value that brings is incredible.
“I don’t have that experience, but I do intend to offer the board and executive teams my full support and work closely with all the different disciplines within the charity to deliver our vision and strategy and reach as many young people and families as possible who would benefit from the care and wellbeing services offered by EACH.”
Nicky first became aware of EACH’s work through Center Parcs’ partnership with Together for Short Lives, the national charity supporting all 54 of the UK’s children’s hospices.
Every village is linked to its local hospice, and, at Elveden, that is The Nook.
“When I first joined Elveden, eight and a half years ago, we went to Quidenham (EACH’s former Norfolk base), and it was incredible to see such wonderful care being delivered in such a challenging environment,” said Nicky, who lives in Cambridge.
“In terms of space, there were so many complexities, but everyone was so passionate.
“That’s where it all started for me and, from then on, I’ve always felt passionately about EACH.
“As an organisation, it’s totally resonated with our team at Center Parcs. We welcome the opportunity to support a national charity while also having an impact and engaging with a local one, fundraising directly for EACH.
“Staff can go to the hospice and support events, seeing and feeling the difference their involvement makes, and we love that duality. It’s a very synergistic relationship.”
Nicky is pictured on the far right alongside Brad (centre) and EACH’s Board of Trustees.
Picture: Karen Self/EACH
