This week has been the end of an era for me.  I stepped down as a Communication Matters Trustee for the second time!

How my journey as a Trustee began

In 2013/14, I was a co-opted Communication Matters Trustee for my first work placement as part of my BA (Hons) extended degree in Social Policy.  I was very grateful, especially to Sally Chan, who was my Trustee Supervisor, for making it so much fun.  Thank you! I couldn’t wait to stand again when I was in a better position to give back to the AAC community. Being co-opted is a great way to find out about the role, the commitment, and the vital work Communication Matters does.

Becoming a full Trustee

Roll on 2022.  I’d just retired from elite sport, and I was starting to study for an MRes in Social Policy.  At this point I felt I could make the commitment needed to immerse myself in the trustee role. My lifelong passion has always been to empower all AAC users to fulfil their own potential. Without doubt, this was a good opportunity to try and deliver on that aim.

So what have I learned?

I’ll sum this up as a lot about myself and a fair bit about others!

Learning about myself

Besides studying full time, taking on the role meant me being organised:
  • I tried to check my emails once a day in the morning.
  • For online meetings, I soon learned that I was best doing a Zoom at 4 pm for 2 reasons. First, it didn’t cut into study time. Then, second, if I contributed a lot, it didn’t leave me exhausted for the day and unable to study. Some weeks there are no meetings; other times, especially running up to the 4 times-a-year board meetings, there might be 2.
  • Keeping a diary of what was coming up and what I needed to prepare for, giving myself plenty of thinking time, as well as time to do the work (I can’t do last minute).
  • I found the best way to get a word in during face-to-face and online meetings was to review previous minutes and the agenda, and pre-programme any contributions I thought I might want to make. This doesn’t stop spontaneity, but it does make it easier when everything around you is moving fast.
  • For all my work at home, I keep a daybook: an A4 hardback book that I write (well, my PA does this) in all my actions and any notes from online meetings, emails and the Trustee WhatsApp group. Often these are too detailed because the PA doesn’t want to miss anything.  After that, we go through and edit them down to what I actually need.  The daybook is really useful; with a team of 5 PAs, it means we don’t lose sheets of paper or have loads floating around.
Empowering AAC users and those supporting us
  • Giving my creative brain space to do the things I enjoy that dovetail into the work of Communication Matters.
    • Creating and carrying out the CM 2024 AAC Community Survey.
    • Chairing the CM Communities Group from 2024 to 2026, with the remit of improving support for all of the different membership groups within the organisation.
    • I have particularly enjoyed analysing policy papers and recommending what CM should do. 2026 was a busy year, with the education and SEND review, new NHS proposals, and much more.
    • Delivering the #AACForAll toolkit. Then, with Annalu Waller, Helen Whittle and Robert McLaren, delivering sessions in 2025 around how to influence policymakers and key decision-makers in central and local government, as well as Integrated Care Boards.
    • I’d thought for years about the Our Futures Project and asking AAC users what their training and education needs were. This was an amazing opportunity, with Helen Hewson as my wing woman. We explored this topic and identified key areas the Board has bought into. For instance, ‘nothing about me without me’ and ‘what an AAC user wants and needs is not always the same as what others think they want or need’.  This project will now move forward as ‘Our Futures Matter’.
    • Having the opportunity to speak at the Peer Mentoring Best Practice day for two years running.  Not just about Our Futures, but also sharing how my own coaching and mentoring journey has shaped my leadership journey. The mentoring project didn’t exist when I started out nearly 20 years ago in school, but if it had, I’m sure I would have participated.
    • Particular highlights included speaking on behalf of CM at Westminster. Representing CM on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive and Accessible Technology. Then undertaking other speaking/training engagements that fit my skill set.
    • But most importantly, not to be shy. I needed to share what adjustments I need to be effective, especially in face-to-face meetings and on Zoom.

Learning from others

  • Like me understanding that all Trustees are volunteers.  The time we all have for CM business can vary day to day and week to week. So, being patient and waiting for a response on something I thought important, but maybe they didn’t.
  • Recognising everyone’s background and commitment. Others don’t always want to read lengthy documents, so we may need different approaches to get them on board. We all have different needs and do things differently, but combining our skills gets us to the end goal.
  • Learning not to take comments as criticism if they initially appear less positive than I had hoped.
  • Not taking everything people say literally! Learning to reflect on meaning, nuance and context.
  • Accepting that the work of an organisation like CM is like a cruise liner. The direction has been set with a 10-year strategic plan, and one good idea does not turn the ship around overnight.  Change of direction and emphasis takes time when the plans are only reviewed annually.
  • Appreciating that everyone has something to offer. We are all different, and alternative viewpoints matter. The good thing (which I’ve always known) is that when you volunteer for CM, everyone shares the same passion.  To make the world a better place for all AAC users.

I’ve stood down ‘early’, at the end of year 1 of my second term!

While I have loved being a Communication Matters Trustee, I need to balance life and work.  I am intending to go back and study for a PhD. Excitingly, I have the launch of my book ‘How to live audAACiously: the ultimate lived experience guide to AAC’ very soon. Maybe I’ll return as a Trustee again, but who knows where life will lead; I still have many years ahead of me.

I highly recommend the opportunity to join the Board, whatever your background.  Being a Communication Matters Trustee has never been dull, although it can be hard work if you choose to get involved with everything.  (You are allowed to say no to things!) What matters is passion and commitment to empowering others, using your voice to advocate for others who use AAC. Most years, there are opportunities to be co-opted. That means you can get the full experience but only commit to a year, as I did for my initial work placement.

You can read more about ‘How to live audAACiously’ on my blog