As we recruit new trustees at Emmaus Bradford, we’re putting the spotlight on one of Emmaus UK’s trustee Vice Chairs, Katrina Mattock. Katrina has had an impressive 13 year career with Emmaus Leeds and continues to sit on the Emmaus UK board of trustees.
Emmaus trustees volunteer their time and skills to support Emmaus UK and the regional Emmaus communities. They play a vital part in ensuring we meet our strategic objectives and operate appropriately.
What made you want to be an Emmaus UK trustee?
At Christmas, I am leaving my role as a Community Leader at Emmaus Leeds. However, I still have the passion and energy to contribute to this amazing charity. Having been part of Emmaus for 13 years, I have extensive knowledge and experience and want to continue working alongside others to make a difference.
What is your background and what has your career path been?
My background is working within the financial institution for over 30 years, starting from school with Skipton Building Society. After 20 odd years, I moved to their subsidiary company HML as a Senior Executive, leading teams across several sites.
Simultaneously, I was involved with the Samaritans organisation for more than 40 years, undertaking many roles including Director at branch level, a Regional Director across the North West covering 1,200 volunteers, and nationally on various committees. I feel humbled and honoured to have been able to provide support to people at the most difficult and challenging points in their lives.
In 2007, I made the decision to change the course of my career enabling me to maximise the skills I had acquired working for two very different organisations. I have valued the opportunity to use both the business and softer skills I have gained along my life journey to benefit Emmaus companions.
What do you enjoy most about being a trustee at Emmaus UK?
Working together, within a team who are committed to the Emmaus ethos, to ensure we stay relevant and support communities, especially in such challenging times.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed or impacted your role as trustee?
Yes, it has. The main change has been virtual meetings. Whilst I always want and welcome meeting people face to face, it has shown me we can still meet effectively and save loads of travel time. It has also reduced travel costs.
Can you sum up what Emmaus means to you in one sentence?
It’s a team of committed people who help make a difference in lives when people feel nobody cares and they don’t matter.
Tell us something interesting about you
Since being young, I have been fascinated by the Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. The words are evocative – the places are real, but for most of us the Shipping Forecast is just a list of names!
I am about to move into the next phase of my life, which does feel rather daunting, given I have been working since I was 15. However, one of my early projects is planning a journey around the Shipping Forecast zones. I won’t be doing this all in one go (!) but ticking the places off in this country and abroad, over the next 12/18 months.
So, there you have it. Cue Sailing By.
What food can you not resist?
I’m one of those who eats anything and everything, but I do love Indian food and love cooking it too.
What is your favourite film?
To be honest, I’m not a huge film fan and when I do watch films, it’s because others are watching. I particularly enjoy movie nights with my granddaughter. I love Finding Nemo and Paddington Bear 1 and 2 – still a child at heart!
What do you feel most grateful for?
My health, my family and long-standing friends who have been around in my life through the good and not so good times.
What is your biggest achievement?
Having attended a secondary modern school, which I didn’t particularly enjoy, I feel proud of what I have gone on to achieve in my life, often against the odds.
One of my biggest achievements was establishing, implementing and overseeing a huge complaints department across three sites, within the finance world; this was in North Yorkshire, Lancashire and Londonderry/Derry supporting 350 staff, which established a focus on the customer and changed the culture of the organisation.
We’re recruiting for Emmaus Bradford trustees! Click here to apply for our trustee vacancy.