Celebrating our Board of Trustees
This Trustees' Week, we're celebrating the fantastic people who make up our Board of Trustees, recognising the time, knowledge and expertise they generously give to Aphasia Support.
Our trustees have a shared passion for improving the lives of people with aphasia and their families, and are behind every milestone, new initiative and important decision we make. Adding a wonderful mix of professional skills, personal experience and perspectives, they help to shape our charity and guide us towards a future where nobody has to face aphasia alone.
But what inspired them to become trustees? What do they enjoy most about being part of Aphasia Support? And what are their hopes for the future? We asked them to tell us more.
Meet our trustees
Damon
Having experienced aphasia himself following a stroke in 2024, Damon knows first-hand the difference the right support can make.
"After having a stroke in 2024 and developing aphasia, I received invaluable support from Aphasia Support, which continues to this day. They helped me improve my speech and rebuild my confidence. As my confidence grew, I was delighted to give back to the charity by becoming a trustee, contributing my technical expertise and lived experience."
Damon brings more than 25 years of IT experience to the board, alongside a personal understanding of life with aphasia. We are grateful for his dedication to helping others navigate life after stroke, ensuring they too can access support for as long as they need it.
Judy
As a former nurse and carer to her husband, Judy brings a particularly important perspective to our board.
"I was a carer for my husband who had a major stroke in 2014 which left him with severe communication difficulties. Over the last 10 years, we've received support from the charity's wonderful volunteers, whether at home or through the Leeds Aphasia Cafe. I feel honoured to serve as a trustee and I hope to support other carers in their 24/7 communication challenges."
Judy's sense of community spirit if felt by everyone, from singing in our Christmas Choir to baking up a storm, or helping to pioneer a brand new website for stroke survivors and carers. Her deep understanding of the challenges people face is instrumental to our work, helping to ensure that the experiences, needs and voices of the people we support remain at the heart of everything we do.
Rhona
As a Speech and Language Therapist running our very own Harrogate Aphasia Café, Rhona brings a wealth of experience to her role serving as both a staff member and trustee here at Aphasia Support.
"I enjoy being part of a skilled and dynamic team of people, working together to oversee an organisation that aims to enhance the lives of people with aphasia and that of their families and friends. I hope that by working professionally and thoughtfully, we can raise awareness of the nature and impact of aphasia in the wider community effectively."
From her work supporting people directly to helping shape our wider strategy, we're fortunate to be part of Rhona's lifelong commitment to improving the lives of people with aphasia and their families.
Peter O
As a former journalist and communications professional, Peter is passionate about raising awareness of aphasia and championing the work of Aphasia Support.
"Whether it's sharing social media posts, starting conversations online or supporting campaigns, every interaction helps spread the word. Those conversations can have a real impact, from connecting with potential trustees to advancing important campaign goals. With only around 15% of people aware of what aphasia is, there's still a long way to go but every conversation counts."
Since joining as a trustee in 2022, Peter has represented Aphasia Support in Parliament... not once, but twice! He's also taken part in a sponsored challenge with his lovely partner Jane and their beautiful Spanish rescue dog Bonni, helping raise vital funds for the charity. Peter's enthusiasm for spreading the word and getting involved makes him a fantastic advocate for our work.
Caroline
As an experienced Speech and Language Therapist and lecturer at the University of Sheffield, Caroline brings both clinical expertise and academic insight to our board.
"My experience over the course of my long career as a Speech and Language Therapist, both as a clinician and as a teacher of the next generation of SLTs at the University of Sheffield, has taught me the enormous value of longer-term support for people with aphasia and their families and friends.
"Having completed my PhD on the topic of accessible information, I am also eagle-eyed about inclusive communication, both with clients and within the Board, and I'm proud to work with such a fantastic charity which values all the skills we bring as a diverse group of trustees."
Since joining us, Caroline has also been a wonderful ambassador for Aphasia Support, representing the charity at the British Aphasiology Society, in Parliament and at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival.
Peter J
As a business owner and entrepreneur, Peter brings valuable experience, a strong understanding of people and fresh perspectives to the board.
"All the great people involved in Aphasia Support inspired me to join the charity. I'm thrilled to be on the board of trustees, and share their passion for making a difference."
Peter is already putting his skills and enthusiasm into action, organising a Charity Golf Day to help raise vital funds for Aphasia Support. He's keen to use his business connections and experience to open up new opportunities for the charity, particularly as we look to expand our services into the North East.
Andrea
Andrea is our longest-serving trustee, having joined the board in 2015. As a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, she brings years of professional experience and a deep understanding of the aphasia community.
We asked Andrea whether there had been a particular moment that reminded her why being a trustee matters.
"Over summer, I volunteered at the charity's Leeds Aphasia Cafe. Having conversations with cafe members reminded me how brave they are, and how much they persevere in getting their message across. It also reminded me how much they value the opportunity the cafe gives them to communicate in a safe space while learning strategies that help them to extend their communication skills. They are the people that are at the very centre of what the charity is all about."
A lovely reminder of why our work matters, and the people at the heart of it.
Rubina
As our Chair of Trustees, Rubina helps steer the charity, ensuring we stay true to our vision, values and ambitions as we continue to grow. Her experience as Head of Marketing and Business Development for a global company brings valuable commercial insight, strategic thinking and leadership to the board.
We asked Rubina about her aspirations for Aphasia Support.
"My biggest hope is that everyone affected by aphasia can access the understanding, specialist support and opportunities they need to live confidently and remain connected to their communities. I want Aphasia Support to continue growing its reach and influence so that no one must face aphasia alone."
It's a hope that sits at the heart of everything we do.
Could you help shape our future?
We're incredibly grateful to our trustees for the skills, experience, commitment and enthusiasm they each bring to Aphasia Support. Their contribution helps us make important decisions, explore new opportunities and reach even more people affected by aphasia.
As we continue to grow, we're looking to welcome new people to our board, and are particularly interested in hearing from those with experience in:
- Law
- Finance
- Business strategy
- Leadership and governance
You don't need to have previous trustee experience to make a difference. What matters is a willingness to share your skills, contribute fresh perspectives and help us create a world where every person with aphasia has access to support and can communicate with confidence.
Could you be our next trustee?
Find out more and apply:
Become a Trustee
Get to know our board:
Meet our Trustees
