Trustee Vicky Smiley shares her experience during Trustees' Week.
This Trustees’ Week, we are proud to be celebrating the dedicated volunteers who help steer the charity and ensure that we can continue to make a difference in saving lives across Devon.
We caught up with Vicky to learn more about what drives her and how she sees her role as a Devon Air Ambulance trustee.
What inspired you to become a trustee?
I’d been doing some work with the former Chair, Margaret, and it was she who originally approached me. My interest was sparked as my sister had been air lifted by Devon Air Ambulance as a child. She had come off her horse and hit a tree, breaking her arm and collar bone. She doesn’t remember much about the helicopter flight, but my mum still tells the story that she was more concerned they were cutting her favourite jodhpurs off than whether she had broken something! Since then, as a family, we have always supported Devon Air Ambulance.
What does Devon Air Ambulance’s mission mean to you?
I get an enormous sense of pride when I see the red helicopter overhead, knowing that I’ve helped to put it in the air and provide potentially lifesaving care to the person inside it, or that they are on the way to assist someone who needs the expertise of our crew. It isn’t all about the helicopter though, my husband tragically lost his brother at a young age to cardiac arrest, so I am all too aware of the importance of CPR training and quick access to a defibrillator in a successful outcome for patients. He volunteers with our Help for your Heart campaign as a way of giving back and potentially helping others now. I recently attended an all-staff day and had the privilege of hearing the story of a survivor and patient that the crew had treated, I was really struck by how similar in age they were to me, also with young children. It’s fair to say the video of their story left not a dry eye in the room and really brought home the human impact of the work charity does.
What skills or experiences do you bring to the board?
I am currently the chair of the People Talent and Culture Committee. One of my previous roles involved leading a large geographically dispersed workforce who also worked shifts. This experience means I understand some of the challenges associated with having a workforce of this nature and can offer insights from my business perspective. I’m also passionate about developing people in my day job and hope I bring some of that to the Devon Air Ambulance team as well!
What advice would you give to a would-be trustee?
Go for it! Particularly if the charity is one which you really resonate with. You do need to consider the time commitment, but busy people always find time!
