Bill Hinks
Business Mentor, Enterprise and Chair of the
Development Awards committee
How did you get involved in volunteering for The Trust?
I first volunteered as a business mentor in 2003. It was a
concept I found both exciting and challenging. It seemed to be able
to give something worth-while to disadvantaged youngsters whilst
simultaneously being a reward to the volunteer in its own
right.
What have you found is the most rewarding thing about being a
volunteer?
The reward is seeing a young person develop into a successful
business person through grit and determination. There have been
surprises and frustrations along the way but I really enjoy the
fact that I can use my experiences in my background training
(accountancy) and running my own business (a label printing
business and furniture retailer, run seperately) to help a
charitable cause.
How has your role with The Trust developed over the years?
I have recently got involved in the Enterprise Programme,
helping to deliver aspects of the new Explore enterprise course. It
is a further development of what I already do as a business mentor
and it is a new experience for me; I've never been in a 'teaching'
situation before. I have enjoyed the first presentation and am
preparing for the second this week. I enjoyed the interaction with
the young people attending the course. I’ve also recently taken on
the role of Chair of the Norfolk Development Awards Committee.
What would you say to someone else who is interested in
volunteering with The Trust?
It's not everybody's ideal, there can be disappointments along
the way such as missed appointments, non-fulfilment of agreed tasks
and more, but it is very rewarding when you see somebody improving
as a person because of the experience they gain and the mentoring
function.