Empathy Action Trustees

About Empathy Action

We are a small charity based in Tunbridge Wells and our mission is to inspire and empower people to live as global neighbours, each doing all we can to help those living on the front line of the refugee crisis, global poverty and the climate emergency. Our vision is to see an end to poverty, brought about by concerted, compassionate community action.

Our work involves organising and hosting immersive activities & experiences based on real life stories, designed to enable participants to walk in someone else's shoes. These take place in schools, churches, corporates and other community events and seek to reach as many people as possible with our stories.

Our core values, conviction, compassion and community run through everything we do. They are underpinned by our Christian ethos, define our character, and equip us to effectively serve all those we meet.

Trustee Role

We currently have seven trustees from a range of backgrounds who comprise the trustee board. The trustee role is non-executive and unpaid. We are seeking additional trustees to widen the experience and expertise pool within the trustee group.

We meet (Teams/Zoom) six to eight times per year on a weekday evening and hope to meet at least once per year in person. These meetings involve Ben Solanky, Empathy Action Founder, providing an update on the activities of the charity as well as other key strategic topics (e.g. finances, new areas of focus, fundraising, safeguarding etc) and trustees providing challenge, input, support and insight. Ahead of the trustee meetings, board papers are circulated and there is an expectation that each trustee comes prepared to take an active role in each meeting.

The trustee role is critical to the running and future success of Empathy Action. Charity law gives trustees a legal responsibility for a given charity, there are therefore a range of key duties that are required of the role:

Make sure Empathy Action is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
Comply with Empathy Action’s governing documents and the law
Act in Empathy Action’s best interests
Share in managing Empathy Action’s resources responsibly
Act with reasonable care and skill
Make sure Empathy Action is accountable

We are particularly interested in welcoming trustees, from diverse backgrounds, with a heart and passion for global equity who have expertise and experience in organisational development, fundraising, finance or chaplaincy work underpinned by a Christian faith.

Trustees of Empathy Action

Paul Williams

Chair of Trustees
“we work to enable people to glimpse the broken lives of so many in our world”
Laura Cook

Trustee
“this is a chance to encourage and be part of the ‘small things’, but as Mother Theresa once famously said, we can do “small things with great love”
Mike Fawcett

Deputy Chair
“compassionate behaviour starts with changing hearts…opening them up to empathise with their brothers and sisters in more challenging situations”
Isabel Hodgson

Trustee
“empathy is a proven potent and powerful driver for positive social change… it's our responsibility, and a real privilege, to steward others' empathy”
Colin Crisp

Trustee and EA Management Committee
“small changes in understanding for the participants can lead to big changes in how people learn to be more compassionate towards others”
Natasha Williams

Trustee
“this vital ‘seed sowing’ work…I’ve seen the power of a changed heart…it’s transformational”
Jamie Macleay

Trustee and Treasurer
“modelling and showcasing empathy is what is needed to build an empathy generation”