At Bristol Charities, our Trustees play a vital role in shaping our strategy, guiding our work, and ensuring we stay true to our values and purpose. They bring a wealth of experience, insight and passion to the organisation – helping us make a lasting difference in the lives of the people and communities we serve.
In this series, we’re introducing you to the individuals behind the boardroom table – sharing their stories, what motivates them, and why they chose to be part of our journey.
Today, we’re delighted to shine a light on Olivia Spencer.
Here’s what she had to say.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and what brought you to Bristol Charities?
My roots are in social justice and architecture. Having completed a degree in sociology I worked first as a researcher collecting and recording memories of life in London at the turn of the twentieth century. Tales of love, laughter and unbelievable hardship from people in their 90s. I went on to work with homeless families before training as an architect and working with communities on the redevelopment and refurbishment of their housing. And finally, a career in planning.
Joining Bristol Charities as a trustee gave me the opportunity to continue to develop these strands of community and the built environment.
Q: What inspired you to become a trustee of Bristol Charities?
When I joined, Bristol Charities was renewing its housing, selling off old, beautiful but sadly impractical alms houses and building high quality purposed designed flats, fit for the 21st century. I felt I had skills to offer and was delighted to be appointed a trustee.
Q: What does being part of the Bristol Charities family mean to you?
My fellow trustees are a great bunch and it is enormously satisfying to be working with them to support the charity to develop and expand its work with Bristol communities. And with so many exciting developments at the Vassall Centre and beyond driven by our great team it is an exciting time to be a trustee.
Q: How do your personal or professional experiences help you in your role as a trustee?
The role of the trustee board is to stand back from the day-to-day activities of the charity and take a broader more strategic view. As an architect and planner, I have spent much of my professional life seeking to grasp the bigger picture. We have a great team of professionals at Bristol Charities delivering help and support in our communities, grant giving and housing provision. Seeing and understanding the bigger picture of what we do – and offering support through questioning, exploring and sharing ideas is what I seek to contribute.
Q: Why do you think the work Bristol Charities does is so vital for the city – especially now?
Bristol is a vibrant, exciting and dynamic city but the benefits it brings are not available to all. In the face of high living costs, lack of affordable housing and increasing isolation, life for some across the city is hard. The work Bristol Charities is doing to empower local people to access and develop the strengths within their own communities to address these needs is therefore I believe vital.
Q: What would you say to someone thinking about getting involved – as a volunteer, donor, or future trustee?
Yes please join us! We all have something to offer our communities and neighbours. I have found it both enriching and enjoyable.
Q: In three words or a phrase, how would you describe Bristol Charities?
Energetic, friendly, caring
Q: Now, how do you take your tea – we have some pretty specific tea-making preferences in our staff, and we’d love to hear yours?
Weak, black and with a nice biscuit (current favourite chocolate and ginger)
We’re proud to share the stories of our amazing Trustees who help us deliver lasting impact in communities and Housing across Bristol.
Follow us to meet more of our staff and learn about the work of Bristol Charities.
Bristol Charities Facebook Page
Interested in Volunteering? Great! Click here to find out more: https://bristolcharities.org.uk/about/volunteer/
