Welcoming our three new trustees – helping shape the future of hospice care together

As part of Trustees’ Week (3rd–7th November), we’re celebrating the appointment of three new trustees – Alison Charlewood, Andrew Cuff and Sahreen Safdar – who have joined our Board in the past six months. Together, they bring wide-ranging experience in healthcare, leadership and finance to help shape our future.

The appointments come as we approach our 40th year of providing free, specialist care across the North East and as we deliver our strategy to reach more people, strengthen partnerships and secure the future of hospice care in our region.

Reflecting on the new appointments, Steve James, Chair of our Board of Trustees, said:

“Our trustees play a key role in the wider leadership team of the hospice. Their breadth of knowledge, compassionate approach and commitment to St Oswald’s Hospice are critical in helping guide us through the challenges ahead.

“As part of Trustees’ Week, we’re keen to share the stories of three of our newest trustees – Alison, Sahreen and Andrew – while also welcoming Associate Trustees, Dr Sameena Hassan and Karen Muir, whose expertise further strengthen our highly skilled Board.

“Together, they bring a wealth of experience and passion that will be invaluable as we continue to provide exceptional care and support for our patients and families.”

Decades of experience and a shared commitment to care

Alison - Trustee

Meet Alison

For Alison Charlewood, joining the Board was a natural next step after more than thirty years as a GP Partner in Newcastle. Over that time, she referred many patients to the Hospice and witnessed first-hand the comfort and dignity its teams provide.

She explained:

“Having retired from clinical practice, I was looking for a worthwhile cause to get involved with. As a GP, I was involved in teaching and professional development, as well as having a leadership role within the practice. I hope I can bring some of these skills, as well as my clinical understanding, to help the Board of Trustees.

“I’ve only been on the Board a few months, but I’ve really enjoyed meeting some of the hospice staff and other trustees – I’m looking forward to becoming more involved.”

Andrew Cuff_Trustee

Meet Andrew

With a background in both clinical practice and senior leadership, Andrew Cuff brings a wealth of expertise to our Board. A Consultant Physiotherapist by profession, he is now Clinical Director for Community Services at Cora Health – the UK’s largest provider of community-based NHS services – and a Visiting Professor at Liverpool Hope University.

He said:

“I’ve always had a passion for leadership and service. From my time as an Army Officer to my current executive role, I’ve learned how important it is to deliver high-quality care while navigating the pressures facing the sector.

“My experience in both the NHS and independent sector gives me valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities in health and care delivery. I’m excited to contribute to the growing research at St Oswald’s Hospice.

“The Hospice is a brilliant organisation with a fantastic reputation across the North East and beyond – and I’m proud to play a part in its future.”

Andrew hopes his experience in innovation and research will strengthen our growing education and research work, helping to ensure that care remains both compassionate and evidence-based.

Sahreen Safdar (1)

Meet Sahreen

Sahreen Safdar joins the Board with more than fifteen years’ experience in strategic finance, governance and transformation – and a genuine passion for helping charities make a lasting impact.

She said:

“In my trustee role, I’ll bring my professional expertise, as well as a deep personal commitment to the Hospice’s mission and to the wider hospice sector. Having seen the importance of community-based, compassionate care, I want to use my experience to help ensure the Hospice remains sustainable and continues to make a real difference to patients and families across the North East.

“Being part of such an iconic Northern charity means a great deal to me. The hospice sector plays such a vital role in providing care, comfort and dignity at the most important times in people’s lives, and I feel honoured to contribute – even in a small way – to that mission.”

Sahreen is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant and a finance and transformation leader with experience across the charity, healthcare, education and housing sectors. Her work has focused on helping organisations strengthen how they operate and deliver meaningful impact – skills she now brings to her role as trustee.

Looking ahead

The arrival of our new trustees comes at a pivotal time for St Oswald’s Hospice. With demand for hospice and palliative care rising across the North East, we’re delivering our 2023–2027 strategy, focused on reaching more people, working in partnership and securing the future of free, local specialist care for generations to come.

As trustees, Alison, Andrew and Sahreen will play a key role in bringing these ambitions to life – from strengthening governance and strategy to championing innovation, community outreach and financial resilience.

Together, they will help ensure St Oswald’s Hospice continues to provide free, compassionate care and support to local patients and their families from across the North East.

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