East Cheshire Eye Society is an independent charity which relies solely on funding to support its activities. It is run by a board of voluntary trustees, some of whom have a sight impairment themselves. As the trustees play such an important role in the charity, we wanted to get to know them a little better and share their experiences as trustees.
We spoke to our newest trustee, Daniel Cross, to hear more about his journey and what being part of East Cheshire Eye Society means to him.
Q: How long have you been a trustee at East Cheshire Eye Society?
A: I was accepted as a trustee by the board in May 2025, following a two-stage interview. This gave the other trustees the chance to get to know me and allowed me to see if I would be a good fit for the team.
Q: What is your favourite thing about being a trustee?
A: It’s knowing I’m helping to make a real difference in people’s lives. East Cheshire Eye Society has a long history of supporting visually impaired people and those with sight loss and being a trustee allows me to play a part in protecting that legacy while also helping it to evolve for the future. I particularly enjoy working alongside such a passionate team who are all committed to the same cause.
Q: What was your reason for wanting to become a trustee?
A: I’ve taken on volunteer roles many times throughout my career, but these have almost always been aligned with my business goals. I wanted to move away from that type of role and do something truly selfless, to use my skills and experience to give something back locally.
I’ve been very fortunate in my life health-wise, and never really had any major issues. But I was recently diagnosed with glaucoma, which felt like being hit by a train. It really changed my life and how I wanted to live it. So, when I learned about the role at East Cheshire Eye Society and the work the charity does, I knew it was an organisation where I could make a meaningful contribution. The idea of helping to raise awareness and strengthen the charity’s reach inspired me to get involved.
Q: How did you become a trustee?
A: I was researching online for volunteer roles, specifically with a charity that focuses on visual impairment and sight loss. There’s a great website called Reach Volunteering, and it was through this that I came across the vacancy for a trustee at ECES.
Q: What does a day in the life of a trustee look like?
A: No two days are quite the same. Sometimes it’s attending board meetings and making strategic decisions with the team, other times it’s supporting events and campaigns or helping connect the charity with wider opportunities. For me, it also includes contributing to marketing and fundraising initiatives, such as promoting our 150-year campaign to the wider business community to generate more support.
Q: How rewarding is being a trustee?
A: It’s hugely rewarding. Knowing I’m part of the team behind the charity’s impact, whether that’s helping someone adapt to sight loss or giving them confidence through practical support, makes all the effort worthwhile. Understanding that the decisions we make at trustee level have a direct positive effect on people’s lives is incredibly fulfilling.
Q: How would you summarise your experience of being a trustee?
A: Revelatory, inspiring and a real privilege. I’ve learned a lot, met fantastic people and had the chance to use my professional skills in a way that directly benefits my local community. I’d sum it up as a journey that’s both challenging and deeply rewarding.
You can discover more about our other trustees here.
We’re always on the lookout for new trustees to join us. If you’re interested and would like to find out how to become a trustee yourself, please get in touch today by emailing info@eastcheshireeyesociety.org.uk or calling 01625 422602.