Meet The NED's - Carol Slade
Posted on 25th October 2024 at 09:44
In our latest blog series we are getting to know our Board of Directors a little better – the wealth of skillsets, insight and experience they bring and why they wanted to be a Sport for Confidence NED!
This time we are getting to know Carol Slade who is one of 4 fantastic new talents who joined our Board in September 2024.
Hell and welcome, Carol!
• How did you first hear about Sport for Confidence?
I heard about Sport for Confidence through Riverside when I was looking for accessible swimming sessions.
• What made you want to be a Non Executive Director for Sport for Confidence?
I was excited at the opportunity to become a NED at Sport for Confidence because using their services changed my life. As a wheelchair user I have been using Sport for Confidence in Chelmsford for a few years now. Before Covid I had a very active sporting life. After the pandemic, I had lost a lot of confidence and SFC enabled me to gain this back. With their support and encouragement it empowered me to become active again.
I believe wholeheartedly in what SFC are doing and now realise the enormity of the scope and number of individuals they support. It makes a difference to the overall wellbeing of it’s participants, to their health both physically and mentally; it gives individuals a sense of belonging and offers social interaction. Interfacing Occupational Therapists to facilitate the connection between individuals and primary healthcare services is the preventative measure which the NHS lacks. Also utilising Ots’ experience to facilitate individuals with disabilities or long term chronic health conditions to understand that movement and social interaction is key to their overall health is invaluable.
- What do you think you bring to the Sport for Confidence Board Room?
I have experience of the third sector environment and the challenges it faces, having spent a number of years working at a charitable organisation supporting disabled people. On the flip side, my life has primarily been spent in the commercial sector and at heart I am an entrepreneur, this means I think strategically and innovatively. I use these skills in whatever I feel passionate about. I can certainly say I feel passionate about the ethos and mission of SFC and its vision into the future.
As a disabled person, I view from a lived experience perspective the difference activity and socialising changes individual’s lives. I believe innovative approaches; removing barriers; offering choice; and empowering people provides inclusion to all those who otherwise would be ignored or forgotten.
• If you had to choose just one - book, film, and food - to take with you to a desert island, what would they be?
My favourite food is Pavlova as I have a very sweet tooth lol! My favourite film is Uncle Buck and my favourite book is Undone by Michael Kimball - I love a good thriller.
• Tell us something else interesting about yourself.
In my spare time, I run a Backgammon club and belong to a public speaking club. In fact I'm about to represent my club in a humorous speech competition.
Welcome a'board' Carol!
Meet the rest of our Board here
Tagged as: Board of Directors, Non Executive Directors, reducing health inequalities, Sport for Confidence
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