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A day in the life.... Mark Hainy

We'd like to introduce you to Mark who is the charity's Director. Mark's been with the charity since January 2019 and has kindly answered our Q&A this month and shared with us a bit about what he does at YPWD, what he did before YPWD, his favourite meal and one of his favourite books.

How would our readers know you already and can you describe what you do for YPWD?

Our readers may know me as I pop up here and there, send out a communication every now and again and I host the charity’s Annual Meeting.  As the charity’s Director much of my work takes place ‘behind the scenes’. I work closely with the charity’s Board of Trustees to make sure that the charity is doing what it should as laid out in its governance documents.  My days are incredibly varied and include all manner of things from human resources, finance, fundraising, marketing, chairing meetings, report writing and much more.

What would you say is the most enjoyable part of your job?

I’d say that it is the varied nature of the job.  I can say with confidence that no two days are the same, and I get to use a broad range of skills each and every day alongside a team of very talented people. The fact that we are an organisation providing something very unique for people with Young Onset Dementia and their carers is also a huge plus.

What would you say is the most challenging part of the job?

I don’t think that there will be another challenge quite like the past 14 months to be honest. We have continued to provide our services throughout the pandemic, maintained employment of our brilliant team, and continued to raise funds to support the charity.

If you had to describe the charity to someone in three words – what words would they be and why?

Pioneering, caring and committed

Where have you worked before YPWD and what did you do?

Before YPWD I worked in the Higher Education sector in London.  My background is in marketing and fundraising, so I’ve been lucky enough to lead teams that communicate and engage with people from around the world, and to have met some truly astounding organisational leaders and academic researchers operating at the top of their field. I am very proud to be able to say that I’ve raised several million pounds to fund cancer research, developing world research and scholarships for talented young people to go to university.

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

If they can, to spend the day with family and friends and to enjoy that time (now we can start to do that again of course).  

What is your favourite meal and why?

This can depend very much on mood, but a Sunday roast with all the trimmings and time with my family.

What would you say is your most treasured memory and why?

My wedding day is very much up there, however the birth of my daughter is perhaps the most treasured as at that moment in time I realised my own reason for being which sounds a bit new age to be honest, but something clicked into place that helped me to understand the importance and responsibility of life from that moment.

Are you able to tell us what your favourite film, TV show or book is and why?

There’s a brilliant satirical short story by Nikolai Gogol called ‘The Nose’. It’s set in Tsarist Russia and it is a clever and witty commentary on the class system that was in place at the time.  The story is about a man whose nose leaves his face and as the story progresses the nose manages to become a higher ranking official in the state than the man whose face it fell from!

Do you have any interests, hobbies, life experiences or skills that would surprise people?

I can juggle three of most things (after a bit of a warm up) with the exception of knives, chainsaws, glass wear and anything else that could lead to serious harm. When I was much younger I produced and directed a piece of theatre that went to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Cat or dog and why?

Dog. Because put simply they’re more fun (in my view).

What’s your favourite phrase or saying and why?

Carpe Diem/seize the day – make the most of the present time that you have. I like this because it makes me focus and use every minute of the day as you don’t know what is around the corner. 

If you had the chance to give your younger self a piece of advice what would that be and why?

See the response to the question above.


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