Monday 3rd November 2025 marks the start of Trustees’ week! It’s the time of year when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by Trustees for their charities and recognise the difference they make.
Our LEAH Trustees are an incredibly supportive group. Often their work and commitment go unnoticed. Individually and collectively they are hard-working and add great value to and complement the professional work of the staff team to our support for our beneficiaries.
Each Trustee brings a wealth of experiences, both life and professional, to LEAH and this enriches what we do. Each Trustee will have had their own reasons for volunteering to be a LEAH Trustee. Read Alan’s story below.
“I live locally to LEAH’s offices in Kingston upon Thames, but grew up on the island of Jersey. My career began as a teacher including time in inner-city London. We had 300 pupils, speaking over 30 different languages, and most lived below the poverty line. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families who arrive in the UK with little or no English.
I moved into the health care technology sector, where I now work as a Commercial Director supporting the NHS. Though my career shifted focus, my passion for learning and supporting others to reach their potential has remained constant. Outside of work, I’ve recently discovered a love of tennis, and I’m always planning my next adventure — my most recent trip took me to Japan and South Korea, which was an incredible experience.
I came across LEAH through Volunteering Kingston. The charity’s mission immediately resonated with me. From my teaching days, I had seen first-hand how learning English could transform a child’s confidence, friendships, and sense of belonging – and how often those same children translated for their parents in day-to-day life. This has given me insights into what it means for adults to gain the language skills needed to engage with their communities, support their families, and navigate everyday situations such as making a GP appointment.
I joined LEAH’s Board of Trustees in March 2024, my first Trustee role, because I wanted to contribute to a charity that makes such a tangible, human-level impact with some of the most marginalised members of society. I’m passionate about helping people learn, access education, and unlock opportunities that allow them to achieve their ambitions.
It is a privilege to work alongside my fellow trustees, LEAH’s CEO, and the wider team to set strategy, ensure good governance, and support our fundraising efforts in a challenging climate. Most of all, it’s inspiring to meet our learners and volunteers, hear their stories, and see how LEAH’s work changes lives every day.” Alan Birch
Click here to find out about our other wonderful Trustees.