Trustees and Committee
The League of Friends, Royal Derby Hospital is a registered charity, managed by five trustees, and a management committee of eleven volunteers. The trustees deal with the legal responsibilities of the charity, to ensure it is managed correctly, and meets the objects registered with The Charity Commission. The trustees ensure all funds raised are allocated to buy vital equipment and provide services at the hospital.
The management committee discusses the day to day running of outlets and advises trustees. Each member of the committee has specific responsibilities for a certain outlet or service, such as buying sandwiches or managing stock. We are always looking for people to learn the committee roles, to ensure smooth handovers and contribute to the work of the League of Friends.
The League of Friends recently registered itself as a different form of charity – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. This is more appropriate for a charity of our size handling a lot of transactions, and takes away the individual financial liability of its members. In making this change, it has established a legal identity which allows the charity to properly register the services it provides. The objects of the registered charity are “to provide items, services and facilities for Patients, Staff and Visitors, to help and support patients and generally to uphold the charitable work of the said Hospital”.
Chairperson and Trustee
Lesley joined the League of Friends in 2018; her family have been members of the League of Friends at various hospitals for over 50 years. Lesley enjoys using her professional skills to contribute to the running of the League of Friends. Outside the hospital Lesley spends time playing bowls and singing with the Rock Choir. She is also member of the local WI, the U3A and is Chair of Governors at two local schools.
Secretary and Trustee
Allan joined the League of Friends in 2019 to help his wife Gill with some projects and took on the role of Secretary during the Covid lockdown. The Secretary is responsible for the legal duties of the charity. As well as his official duties, Allan also helps out with equipment purchasing, repair and refurbishments. We would love to meet someone to take on this part of Allan’s role. Outside the hospital Allan enjoys engineering and railways.
Treasurer and Trustee
Irene joined the League of Friends in 2013 after retiring from work. She was looking for a new interest to take her out of the house for a few hours a week, without too much stress or responsibility. Irene enjoys working in the busy shop in the main corridor. As Treasurer, Irene keeps track of all funds and maintains account records. Outside of the hospital, Irene enjoys bell ringing at a local church.
Membership Secretary / Vice Chair and Trustee
Jan joined the League of Friends in 2012 when she retired from work, starting working on the ward trolleys, before joining the shops as well. Jan is our Membership Secretary, and deputy corridor shop manager. Jan gets to meet all new recruits and also manages the long service awards, health & safety, training, working instructions, subscriptions, posters and communication. Outside the hospital, Jan spends time baking, reading and growing fruits and vegetables on her allotment.
Corridor Shop Manager
A volunteer is currently trialling this role on a provisional basis.
Maternity Shop Manager / Catering Manager
Di joined the League of Friends in 2015, after a long career in nursing. Widowed and partially retired, Di needed motivation on the other days of the week. Di started in the maternity shop, and became manager in 2019. Having also managed the corridor shop for 18 months, Di continues to look after maternity and manage catering, including monitoring sales of cakes and sandwiches. Di has made a lot of new friends and finds great satisfaction being able to give something back to the hospital. Outside the hospital, Di enjoys socialising, reading and working on her allotment.
A&E Tea Bar Manager
Chris joined in 2019 after retiring from food manufacturing and started to manage the tea bar in 2022. Chris had joined his wife at the League of Friends when they were looking for additional help. Chris enjoys meeting new people and giving something back to the community. He has noticed that patients and their companions are a lot less stressed with a cup of tea in their hands! Outside of the hospital, Chris is a member the West Derby Trust Wildlife group and breeds fish, including his favourite, Bristle Noses.
Purchasing Manager
Gail has recently taken over the role of purchasing manager.
Trolleys Manager
Gina joined the friends in 2001, after becoming widowed, and looking for something new, that gave her a sense of purpose. A friend of Gina’s, who volunteered at the hospital, recommended the League of Friends. Gina has worked in both shops and soon joined the committee to manage the trolleys. She enjoys being a part of a team along with her colleagues. Outside the hospital, Gina runs a badminton club and loves gardening, travelling and socialising with friends.
T&O Tea Bar Manager
Sandra joined the League of Friends in 2009 after a career in the NHS. She soon discovered what an honour it felt to be able to raise funds to make patients’ experiences as comfortable as possible. Sandra manages the T&O Tea Bar, with a happy team in this quieter clinic, where she gets to greet regular customers. Sandra enjoys meeting people and making friends through her volunteering. Outside the hospital Sandra enjoys gardening, socialising with family, sudoku, crosswords and knitting.
Assistant Treasurer
Sue joined the League of Friends in 1994 as a volunteer in the Maternity shop after retiring and hearing about it from her neighbour. Over the years, she has worked in both shops and the trolleys, as well as spells as Treasurer, filling rotas and ordering cakes. As Assistant Treasurer, Sue sorts out all the takings from the outlets, and completes the finance paperwork. Outside the hospital, Sue enjoys cross-stitching and is a huge Derby County fan.
Assistant Purchasing Manager
Rita has been volunteering at the hospital for 50 years and remembers when we actually sold cigarettes to patients from our hut by the main gates! Rita has volunteered in every LOF department, and her current role as assistant purchasing manager ensures we have plenty of toiletries for sale. Rita met her husband John volunteering with us at the hospital, and enjoys trips out for lunch and garden centres with him now that he has retired from volunteering.
