Page 9 - QARANC Vol 20 No 3 2023

The Gazette QARANC Association 9
5 Minutes with a Trustee
Under the spotlight this edition is Emily Heney, who works for Help The Heroes and volunteers as a QARANC Association trustee
QWHAT DO YOU DO AS AN
ASSOCIATION TRUSTEE?
AI mainly focus on the benevolence and grants side of things. I help the Association to decide
whether grants can be accepted, and if there are any grants from other pockets of money. I’m working with the team to help retired and serving QAs.
QWHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN DECIDING A GRANT REQUEST?
AIt’s case by case and depends on personal circumstances. We look at what’s led
somebody to put in for a grant, what money they have. It might be something to do with bills for the house, or needing help with mobility aids, it’s a multitude of things.
QAIS IT DIFFICULT TO DECIDE
THESE THINGS?
Of course, but the more information we have makes it easier. There are some sad cases we
see and which no one takes lightly. It’s not quick yes or no. I’ve been involved in about 40 to 50 applications in the last year. We’ll meet every couple of months and discuss them.
QAHOW DID YOU
BECOME A TRUSTEE?
I’ve worked for Help For Heroes for a couple years now, with Fletch. He was a QA trustee
already and when a vacancy came up, he asked me and I said yes.
QAWHAT IS YOUR ARMY
BACKGROUND?
I did 14 and a half years serving in the QAs. Unfortunately, my time was cut short due to
medical discharge. And that’s why I took up a role within the veteran world. Being a trustee works alongside working for Help For Heroes, because I get a lot of insight through my day to day job, which helps with the trustee role as well.
QAWHAT MADE YOU TO
JOIN THE ARMY?
I knew I wanted to be a nurse, and the military offered exercise and adventure training. I
could be a nurse and have the best of both worlds, so it was right up my street. I was deployed to Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, and I’ve worked in Canada and Belize.
QHOW DID HELP FOR HEROES
ACOME ABOUT?
I went to the charity when I was medically
discharged and needed some help to get into the NHS when I moved from south to north with my husband’s posting. Fletch helped direct me
Being a trustee works alongside working for Help For Heroes, because
I get a lot of insight through my day to day job, which helps with the trustee role as well
into the clinical pathway on the NHS, then a job came available. I’m a veterans’ community nurse and look after veterans in the north of England and Northern Ireland.
QAWHY SHOULD OTHERS CONSIDER BECOMING A QA TRUSTEE?
I’m not sure it is something I would have thought of when I was still serving. It was
only after when I became a veteran that I realized how big the military family is. Having the QA Association there in your hour of need, and the social networks where you can meet past and present colleagues is really special. I would recommend anyone serving or retired to get involved.