A day in the life of Kathy Taylor YPWD Chair of Trustees

Hello Kathy, thank you for taking part in this newsletter. Could you start by telling us about how you became involved in the charity, why that happened and what you do now?

My late husband had young onset dementia but age-appropriate support for him was very limited.  I was still working full-time so this meant I had to find others to support him.  I became involved as a Trustee with the charity not long after it started, as I was passionate about its ethos and wanted to give something back.  I'm currently Chair of Trustees.

What does the Chair of Trustees do and what is your favourite part of this voluntary role?

Good question! I'm not always sure, if I'm honest.  I guess there's chairing the bi-monthly Trustees meetings, attending other operational meetings, supervising the Director and generally herding cats... I mean, making sure everything is running smoothly.  We have a great team of employees, volunteers and trustees so I only tend to get involved when needed.  I'm not sure I have a favourite part, but I do love our annual choir concert which never fails to inspire me. 

Would you be willing to share with our readers a little about your career, what attracted you to it and what you did?

Initially I trained as a teacher but realised it wasn't for me.  I worked part -time in an office and a GP surgery before training to become a mental health nurse, which I did for 15 years before retiring two years ago.  I'm a people person and wanted to use these skills and get paid for it!  Who we are is much more important to me than what we do, so I always want to focus on the person.

Of all the skills that you developed during your career, which skills would you say have been most useful in being Chair of Trustees?

Did I mention herding cats?!!  As you may have noticed, maintaining a sense of humour is something I have but perhaps listening is the skill I use most though, like all of us, I often fail.

If you had to pick one thing to be most proud of, from your involvement with the charity, what would it be and why?

The choir.  It amazes me every time I see it.  It transcends all stereotypes and abilities.

If you had to sum up YPWD in just three words what would they be?

Filling the gap.

Of all the many workshops the charity runs which would you say is the one you like/enjoy the most?

I confess I've not been to many workshops so it would be unfair to pick one out.  I hope to get to choir or equine therapy sometime as I love singing and horses (not singing horses)!

Do you have a hobby or skill that you’d be happy to share with us and that you think may surprise our readers?

I love sport, especially rugby and cricket.  I used to umpire international women's cricket and have also umpired some famous England men's cricketers.

What is your favourite meal to cook and why?

I cook because I have to.

Where is the most interesting place in the UK/world that you have been and what was it that attracted you to go there?

New Zealand – I travelled with a tour group to watch England cricket in a number of far flung countries but probably loved NZ the most.

If you were in charge of the world, for just one day, what is the one thing you’d encourage everyone to do?

Love one another  - people are more important than possessions.

Do you have a favourite movie, TV or radio show that you could watch/listen to over and over again, and if so what is it, and why do you enjoy it so much?

I usually fall asleep watching films!