Trustee Spotlight: Rich Crosbie (Wirral CVS)

"You don't need to know everything about being a trustee before you start, and you certainly don't need to have all the answers."

Your name: Rich Crosbie

Organisation: Wirral CVS

How long have you been a trustee?: Less than 1 year

Your organisation’s purpose in one sentence: Wirral CVS supports a strong, vibrant and resilient Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector that delivers positive and impactful change in Wirral.

What attracted you to your organisation and to becoming a trustee?

I've always believed that local community organisations make a real difference to people's lives, and Wirral CVS plays such an important role in helping them do just that. By supporting local groups, charities and volunteers, WCVS helps create a stronger, more connected community across Wirral.

Through my day job as Lead for Hospital Services, I've seen first-hand the difference that WCVS makes, not just to organisations but also to the people and communities they support. I've also enjoyed watching WCVS grow and develop over the years, building stronger partnerships and becoming an increasingly important voice for the local voluntary sector.

Becoming a trustee felt like a great opportunity to give something back, share my experience and play a part in supporting an organisation that does so much good locally. It's a chance to combine my professional experience with something I'm genuinely passionate about.

What skills, experience or perspectives did you feel you could bring?

I've spent much of my career working in health services, leading teams, developing services and working with different organisations to improve outcomes for local people.

One of the things I've learned along the way is just how important good partnerships are. I've worked closely with NHS services, local authorities, charities and community organisations, and I've seen what can be achieved when everyone works together.

I also understand some of the everyday challenges that smaller organisations and frontline teams face, particularly when resources are stretched and demand for support continues to grow.

I hope I bring a good mix of leadership experience, practical knowledge and an understanding of the local community. I'm someone who enjoys finding solutions, asking questions and looking at how we can do things better. Hopefully, these are all things that help me make a positive contribution as a trustee.

What do you enjoy most, and what benefits have you gained?

One of the things I enjoy most about being a trustee is getting to see the wider picture of what's happening across Wirral's voluntary and community sector. It's easy to become focused on your own organisation and the work you do every day, so being part of WCVS has really opened my eyes to the incredible range of people and groups making a difference locally.

I've particularly enjoyed working alongside my fellow trustees and the CEO, sharing ideas, learning from their different experiences and being involved in discussions about the future direction of WCVS.

I also really enjoy opportunities to speak with the wider WCVS team. Their enthusiasm, commitment and genuine passion for helping local organisations succeed are inspiring, and it's great to see the difference their hard work makes.

On a personal level, being a trustee has helped me broaden my knowledge, develop my strategic thinking and gain a better understanding of how organisations are governed. It's also given me the opportunity to meet some fantastic people who share a real commitment to making the Wirral a better place to live.

What would you say to someone considering becoming a trustee?

I'd say go for it! Don't underestimate the value of the skills, knowledge and life experience you already have. You don't need to know everything about being a trustee before you start, and you certainly don't need to have all the answers.

My advice would be to find an organisation or cause that you genuinely care about. That makes the experience so much more rewarding, particularly when you can see the difference your contribution is helping to make.

Be prepared to listen, ask questions and learn from the people around you. Everyone brings something different to the table, and that's what makes a good trustee board.

There is help from WCVS about how to become a trustee which takes the pressure off you so I’d encourage anyone thinking about giving back to our community as a trustee to reach out for help in taking your first step.