I’ve recently become a charity trustee for the first time for the My Home Life Charity, that works to support quality of life for all people who live, die, work in and visit Care Homes.  I’ve been a part of the MHL Scotland facilitation team in the past so understand the work and the incredible impact that it makes.  And seeing appreciative inquiry in action has been hugely influential on my own work beyond care homes.   

I’ve resisted taking on such as position for many years.  I’ve admired friends and colleagues who have somehow built trustee roles into their already busy schedules but have stayed on the sidelines.  Now I’ve taken the plunge and I’m enjoying watching more seasoned trustees in action.  I’ve always liked learning and a bit of a ‘stretch’.  It’s a good place to keep practicing those 7Cs of Caring Conversations! I’ve run my own business for twenty years, so it turns out that examining finances is not as daunting as I might have imagined.  Some of my questions to the other trustees make me feel like a daft lassie, but it turns out that these questions are welcomed and offer fresh perspectives.  Above all, it is good to feel useful and see that it’s possible to make a contribution, as well as keeping MHL Scotland on the map.   

There’s a big birthday coming up later in 2026 when The MHL Charity is supporting the UK four nations and Australia to celebrate 20 years of impact and look to the future.  This picture was taken outside the Beacon Theatre in Greenock in 2017 (before it became famous on the TV) at a MHL Scotland retreat.  It would be great to get together in 2026 to celebrate, so if you are one of the many wonderful, committed people that have been part of this work, do get in touch.   New trustees are welcome too, so if you are curious about that, let us know.