Home > Social Action > Become a Charity Trustee >

Rejuve-nation Trustee case study

DIANE LAWRENCE is a founder member and Trustee of rejuve-nation an organisation set up to be there for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people in Devon living with physical/sensory impairment, long-term health conditions and emotional distress.

Diane had a stroke in 2005 and discovered there was nothing to support her as a black woman with a disability. "I wanted to get involved, there were no avenues open to me they wanted to put me in a corner.

Being a trustee and working with rejuve-nation gets me out of the house, I'm doing something for BME disabled people a cause that has long been ignored, one that causes isolation and is a double oppression for many people.

The stroke knocked me for 6 and working as a trustee for rejuve-nation has increased my self confidence and self belief – I have learnt not to let my disability consume me. It has taught me to delegate; I can't do everything myself. I enjoy working with other people and have met a whole range of people both disabled and non-disabled.

Yes, being a trustee can be time-consuming and at times frustrating as you wait for other agencies to respond and get on board, it all takes a lot longer than you think, but the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and if you believe in something you can make it happen."