Nicola Speake
My name is Nicola Speake, I am 46 years old and I currently work at the Department for Work & Pensions within the Health & Disability Function.
I am the Head of Office for the Director which basically means I am responsible for the smooth running of the Health & Disability function, ensuring our Director and Senior Leadership Team are focusing on the right priorities and delivering against our strategic objectives. I am the first point of contact for anything that comes into the Director’s office which I have to review and manage accordingly.
Prior to DWP, I was the Head of Business Development at South Yorkshire Housing Association, a social housing provider. In my role I was responsible for bidding for and securing contracts to provide health, care and wellbeing support services for socially excluded people, for example people experiencing homelessness.
What is a trustee?
A Trustee is a volunteer who holds ultimate responsibility for governing and directing a charity. The Board of Trustees are collectively responsible for making sure the charity is run effectively, complies with the law and works to achieve its charitable purpose.
How long have you been an SWA Trustee?
I’ve been a trustee for Sheffield Women’s Aid for 2 years. I joined the board in October 2023.
What work do you do on the trustee board?
In a nutshell, the main role I and the other Trustees play on the Sheffield Women’s Aid board is to be a critical friend to Hollie, the Chief Executive, giving support and challenging - in a supportive way – to help her lead the organisation effectively.
We are there to ensure the organisation has effective governance, financial stability and is delivering against its charitable aims. In addition to attending bi-monthly Board meetings I am part of the fundraising sub group which exists to support Hollie and the team identify and secure funding to enhance and expand the support SWA provide.
What made you want to join the SWA board of trustees?
I have always wanted to be on a Board of Trustees and as my children moved from primary to secondary school it felt like the right time. It was important to me that the Charity I worked with were based in Sheffield and supported women.
When I saw the advert for Sheffield Women’s Aid and I started to read about the work, I knew this was the organisation I wanted to join. 2 years in I feel so lucky that I was selected to be a Trustee and given the chance to work alongside such powerful and inspiring women.
Why is the work that SWA does so important?
Sadly, services such as Sheffield Women’s Aid are vital. SWA provides a safe home and trauma informed support for nearly 50 women and families who are no longer safe in their own home due to domestic abuse. SWA provide these brave women with the skills and tools they need to make decisions for their future, live well and thrive. The work of SWA is not just important, it is essential and it saves lives.
What’s one thing you’re proud of in your work as an SWA trustee?
In December 2023 I attended my first AGM and was lucky enough to hear one of our survivors tell her story. Hearing her talk about how Sheffield Women’s Aid had supported her to find hope after being in such a devastating position was humbling. It made me feel very proud to be a very small part of an organisation that has such significant impact.
In the upcoming government VAWG Strategy what is something you would like to see addressed?
I would like to see the strategy take a more intersectional approach and address the inequalities which make some women and girls more at risk of domestic abuse but also less likely to engage with the criminal justice system. The barriers and fears that prevent certain groups from reporting domestic abuse must be explored and addressed.