Trustees’ Week – 4th-8th November
We’ve reached the 5th and final day of Trustees’ Week for 2024 and we really hope that you’ve enjoyed our short series of interviews with some of our Unite Carers Board of Trustees. In case you thought that the Board at Unite was exclusively female, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, last but certainly not least, Jack Bukin, Trustee specialising in Digital Technology and Skills.
Thank you Jack for all that you do to help others.
Introduce yourself
My name is Jack Bukin and I have been a trustee with Unite Carers in Mid Devon for two years. Through a previous role, Unite attended a digital training course that I delivered. As Unite were located close to me, it made sense to offer up my time on a volunteer basis to support with their digital technologies and skills. In November 2022 I was elected onto the board of trustees as their Digital Trustee.
What’s your Trustee role at Unite Carers?
Digital Trustee – I support Unite Carers with advice, guidance, training and development of digital solutions, enabling the charity to work effectively with a high level of productivity. Over the past two years, the support has included; the development of a new website for Unite, the implementation of Microsoft 365, planning of an upgraded database system, improvements to broadband, telephone systems and mobile connectivity.
How did you first become involved and why?
As above, staff members from Unite Carers attended a digital training course that I was delivering in a previous role. Hearing the story of Unite Carers and being in Tiverton myself inspired me to support a fantastic charity. I have a huge passion around digital technology and heavily advocate its use for good.
Do you have any interests and hobbies? What are your passions?
I am an avid car enthusiast. Anything vintage, classic, retro or modern. My weekends and time away from work provide me with the opportunity to get myself away from the screen that I use for work, and tinker under the bonnet of something with minimal technology! I also currently work full time as a Digital Trainer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and am in the process of applying to become an on-call firefighter for my local station.
What’s the worst thing about being a Trustee?
There is nothing I can say which reflects poorly on being a trustee. The personal challenge for me, however, is being able to balance the support I can provide to Unite Carers alongside a full-time job and family commitments. With the adoption of online video conferencing tools however, it has made it far easier to commit to trustees’ meetings and engage with the team at Unite when working from afar.
What’s the best thing?
For me, personally, the opportunity to support a local charity that does so much good for its beneficiaries. As trustees we are regularly kept up to date with all of the great things that staff and volunteers do. We see the positive feedback provided by those that have benefited from the services provided, and when I have based myself from the Unite Carers’ offices experiencing first hand just how the team dedicates every ounce of their energy into ensuring that anyone who walks in through the door is supported.