Celebrating Trustees’ Week 2024

This Trustees Week, we are excited to introduce our newest trustee, Karen Mason. Karen’s vast experience in communications and her deep commitment to empowering women make her an incredible addition to our board. We sat down with her recently to hear about her journey, her connection to Trevi, and her vision for the future.

Karen’s involvement with Trevi started in a way that she never could have imagined—through a simple, everyday moment. She shared a story of a brief encounter that would eventually change her path: “I was in a shop when I noticed a woman struggling to find the money for her groceries while managing her toddler. I used some loyalty points to help her out, thinking it was just a small act of kindness.”

What seemed like a fleeting moment ended up having a lasting impact. The woman, as it turned out, was staying at one of Trevi’s women’s centres, and it was this revelation that sparked Karen’s interest in the charity’s work.

In the UK, a child is taken into care every 15 minutes, with only 1 in 10 being reunited with their mother. At Trevi, we are determined to change this. Our Jasmine Mother & Child Centre provides strength-based parenting assessments for mothers dealing with substance use and trauma. Over 12 week placements, we work with women to heal from their addiction and trauma while enhancing their parenting skills, allowing them to remain primary caregivers for their children. This life-changing programme is key to breaking the cycle of addiction and empowering women to become the best mothers they can be.

“Since that day, I’ve followed Trevi’s work and all the amazing things it does for the women and children that it gives precious life chances to.” Karen said.

With more than two decades of experience in communications, media, and public relations, Karen brings a wealth of expertise to her role as a trustee. Her career began in broadcast journalism and later expanded to leading communications departments in both the public and private sectors.

“My Trustee appointment complements the wider Trevi Board by offering my diversity and longevity of expertise and skills across the full communications contingent,” Karen shared. “I aim to support Trevi in telling its story in the most engaging, impactful, and values-based way.”

Her experience is invaluable as Trevi continues to grow our reach and share our story with a wider audience.

For Karen, the passion to support women’s causes isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal. “I’m a committed mum first and foremost. My two girls are my biggest achievement, priority, and source of inspiration,” she emphasised. Karen’s personal experiences as a mother fuel her dedication to ensuring that other women and their children receive the support they need to thrive.

She believes strongly in the mission of Trevi because, as she put it, “We are all born equal but sadly do not have equal life chances.”

This belief underscores why she is so committed to Trevi’s work, which provides vital opportunities for women and children to rewrite their stories. As a trustee, Karen wants to ensure that more women have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

As she steps into her new role as a trustee, Karen recognises the responsibility that comes with it. “I’m really honoured to be joining a fantastically committed group of women on the Trevi Board of Trustees,” she said. “Together, we offer a wealth of professional and personal skills and experiences.”

Trustees play an essential role in guiding a charity’s future, and Karen is determined to help Trevi stay focused on its mission while also guiding its strategic growth. “My longstanding career in media and public relations across different sectors means I bring strong and varied communications experience and skills,” she noted. Karen’s expertise will help Trevi expand its reach and reputation, both locally and nationally.

Karen’s contributions go beyond communications. She is passionate about mentoring and supporting women in their professional development. “I’m a volunteer mentor for a women in leadership scheme and really care about supporting women to succeed in their careers,” she shared. She hopes to bring this same mentorship spirit to Trevi, empowering the charity’s staff and volunteers.

Looking ahead, Karen has a clear vision for her role as a trustee. “My vision as a trustee is to ensure Trevi can not just continue to help women and children achieve a fulfilling future but see the charity grow and maximise its full potential,” she said. Karen is committed to helping Trevi expand its reach, so that even more women and children can benefit from its life-changing services.

Karen’s story is a powerful reminder of how a simple encounter can lead to lasting connections and meaningful change. As Karen steps into her trustee role, we are excited to see the positive influence she will have on Trevi’s work and the lives of the women and children we support.

With Karen on board, we are confident that her expertise and passion will help amplify Trevi’s impact as we work toward creating brighter futures for women and their children.