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Preeti Johal – HR Trustee

Preeti joins Colostomy UK as our Human Resources (HR) Trustee, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in the field gained working in the charity and healthcare sectors as well as in local government and public services. Looking back over her career, Preeti says she more or less ‘fell’ into HR while at university; it was here that the seeds for what she terms her ‘HR passion’ germinated. She is now Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) qualified and also delivers training in various aspects of HR practice.

Her first professional engagement with the charity sector was from 2014 and she hasn’t looked back since. Being able to make a difference supporting charities with her expertise is something that gives her a great deal of job satisfaction! She first became aware of Colostomy UK in 2019, shortly after her twin sister was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Both Preeti and her sister found Colostomy UK to be a great source of support and information. She was also attracted to our mission and values.

Preeti, who lives in west London with her partner, tries to live a plant-based life and has a love for animals and football. She is also a firm believer in doing everything you can to have a healthy body and healthy mind and so takes part in all sorts of activities, including: yoga, weight training, running and football. Preeti is really excited about joining Colostomy UK’s board of trustees and is particularly grateful that she can use her expertise for an amazing cause.

Q & A with Preeti

Q – What motivated to you to become a trustee of Colostomy UK and how did that come about?

I Wanted to use my skills for positiveness and support as a volunteer. A Trustee position allowed me to pass on my HR knowledge and skills to support the growth of a charity. I became aware of Colostomy UK after my twin sister was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She spoke about the support that Colostomy UK provided her and then forwarded me the advert for a HR Trustee position. It was about the time that I was exploring Trustee positions within the charity sector, and it felt right to apply for a charity that I had a personal connection with and saw first-hand the work and support they provide.

Q  – What do you think you have to offer to the charity as a trustee?

I’ve got over 20 years of experience in HR and a lot of those years are in the charity or social care sector. So, I can use this experience to support in the people side development and growth of CUK.

Q – What have you gained from your role as a trustee?

Being a Trustee opens doors for my career development. It allows me to have a great understanding of how a charity is run and the governance aspects of the charity sector. I also have the personal gain of making a difference in the lives of people living with a stoma, this is very important to me and why I volunteer as a trustee for Colostomy UK.

Q – How do you look after yourself so that you can look after others?

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind! Lots of exercise, varied activities and healthy diet. Take time to have me time and friends and family time to energise and refresh.

Q – What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of becoming a trustee i.e., the value of volunteering to gain an understanding of how charities function?

Pick a charity whose mission and cause supports something that you have a passion for. Join a charity where you feel you cannot only grow but provide a positive resource to. Be mindful of the time that you have committed to but understand the great value you are providing.

Q – What’s the one thing you were fearful of in becoming a trustee?

There is a lack of representation of people of colour in Trustee positions, so there is a fear that your voice may not be heard. But as soon as I connected with the Colostomy UK  I felt comfortable that this is a charity that I could support, grow and my experience valued.