Charity Grows Trustee Board with Exciting New Appointment

YWCA Yorkshire has appointed women's champion, regional businesswoman and prolific networker Lynne Urpeth to its Board of Trustees. Lynne joins an already outstanding Board of committed professionals who volunteer their time and specialisms, to create better futures for women, children and families in South Yorkshire. 

YWCA Yorkshire operates accommodation and wrap-around services for vulnerable families in Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield. The Board of Trustees oversee the delivery of services to 800 individuals each year. People accessing support from YWCA Yorkshire have experienced homelessness, domestic abuse, poverty and relationship breakdowns.  

Of the new appointment, Chief Executive, Diane Offers, said, “This is an exciting time for YWCA Yorkshire, and we are absolutely thrilled to have Lynne on board to support the leadership team, uphold our standards of accountability and transparency, and help drive the strategic direction of our services. We are growing our networks, partnerships and team. We are building capacity and boldly pursuing funding streams to deliver vital services that respond to the evolving needs of our communities.  We are delighted to welcome Lynne and the addition of her passion, expertise, knowledge and working relationships to the Board.” 

Lynne is a Director and Founder at Total Business Services Ltd, working with clients small and large on business operations, growth and delivery. Lynne, a qualified lawyer, has a long and varied career working across the private, public and charity sectors. Significantly, Lynne has previously worked in posts raising funds for Sheffield based homeless charity, the Archer Project, and managing membership accounts for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. Whilst Lynne’s skills and experience strategically compliment the wider Trustee Board, it is Lynne's values and personal story that attracted her to the role. 

Lynne became pregnant with her first child aged 17. Much like many of the young parents supported by YWCA Yorkshire, Lynne experienced prejudice and isolation.  Marrying at just 19 and having her second child in her early 20s, when Lynne left her husband and became a single mum, she had limited work experience, financial or housing security, because of those early years spent as the primary carer to her children. With the support of her own parents, Lynne was able to return to college and then University, studying Law and later working as a lawyer in Sheffield for 12 years.   

Of the new appointment, Lynne, said: “Raising children is one of the hardest and most important jobs there is. People who do it without the wrap-around support of family, without money, without the benefit of training and qualifications, have got it so much tougher. This could happen to any one of us and, I know through my own experience, that a little bit of support when times are hard can be the difference between ‘just about surviving’ and ‘building a better future for yourself and your children’. This is what YWCA Yorkshire does for young parents, and this is why I felt compelled to volunteer as a Trustee when I got to learn more about their amazing work. I wholeheartedly believe in their mission, and I want to be part of their journey – creating positive change for local communities.” 

A small but mighty charity operating in South Yorkshire, YWCA Yorkshire is part of a global network of charities and organisations fighting for social justice and equality for women.  

To enquire about future partnership opportunities or to learn more about joining YWCA Yorkshire’s dynamic Charity Trustee Board, please email diane.offers@ywcayorkshire.org.uk