From small charity to big family: Terry Rich looks at how Avenues has changed in his time as Chair of Trustees
Thursday 5th of February 2026Terry Rich has been Avenues Chair of Trustees for nearly a decade. He will leave the position later this year when his term of office ends. Terry has been reflecting on how Avenues and the board has developed over the years.
When Terry Rich began his time as Chair of Trustees for Avenues nearly 10 years ago the organisation was a small informal charity with a limited team of staff. It has now grown into a major organisation employing more than 1,600 people and supporting more than 650 people. Overseeing that a strong board of Trustees has also evolved.
Although Avenues was a fraction of the size it is now what clearly stood out for Terry were the high standards of the organisation “Avenues already had a strong reputation in terms of quality. In my previous professional background, I commissioned Avenues. So, I had a knowledge and a confidence in its quality.” Terry says.
At that time the Trustrees were fragmented – spread across Avenues different regions. Topics were often duplicated at Group Board level. “It was more like an old style voluntary sector management committee rather than a board of governance of a significant organisation. There wasn’t the same degree of sophisticated engagement and challenge that happens now” says Terry.
With that in mind Terry began work, with trustees and management, on consolidating the board and improving engagement.
Increased engagement
Improving how people supported by Avenues and their families engage with the organisation has been one of Terry’s key concerns during his 10 years as Chair
“One of my priorities was that we focused on trying to build that into the structure and quality of the Trustees work”
Avenues now have the Family Matters group where families of people supported can voice their opinions and become pivotal to decision making; “This group now works with the board” says Terry. “The whole way Avenues sees and relates to families has changed. They are, after all, the most important part of the people’s we support lives.” says Terry.
The Board also recently met with Avenues Quality Checkers (people who are supported by Avenues that also work for the organisation to help audit services) to gain an insight into their work.
Connecting with the services
It has also been important for Terry that Trustees have a good idea what happens in the services. However, it is essential that these visits are authentic rather than tokenistic.
“We try to work to make sure we provide real opportunities for people to get in touch with services.” says Terry.
“What I’ve always tried to do is find a way to do something better than what I described as the ‘royal visit’ where somebody goes to a service and says ‘aren’t you doing well?’ and ‘isn’t it nice here?’ Without actually understanding what it is that they ought to be looking for.”
“This means people could be nervous or embarrassed, both visitors and people being visited. So we’ve had regional engagement days where we are met at a service by the Regional Manager and a team. They let us know what the issues in the area are and what the team have done.
“I think that is a much more powerful way of us getting trustees to visit services to understand what they are.but doing it in a way where they were really informed witnesses of what was going on”.
“We also have an increasing number of trustees with lived experience (through a family member) of learning disability or neurodiversity. “says Terry.
Avenues growth
In his time as Chair, Terry has seen Avenues grow considerably. The organisation has merged with Welmede and Autism Hampshire.
“I think that’s quite an achievement because my other major focus, was to help the organisation grow from a small to medium sized charity doing good works to a really effective medium to large major player in the learning disabilities field.” he says.
“My approach has been that Avenues needs to be able to position itself in the top quartile of providers within its sector.” says Terry.
However the wider challenges of social care in the political landscape have still placed certain restrictions on what Terry and the rest of the organisation have been able to achieve for its employees.
“I think it’s a disappointment for me that we’ve never managed, despite our efforts, to move the reward that we give our staff to a level which matches their commitment and their skills. And I think we’ve had to recognise that actually it’s a problem that Avenues can’t solve on its own. It’s a major challenge in terms of the sustainability of the sector.” he says.
“I think the challenge is to actually not just push the bottom up, but to change where in the ladder social care sits. Saying equivalence to a NHS band three health assistant is maybe better than saying let’s try and be 50p above the national living wage.” says Terry.
Memories
Despite the challenges, the overriding memories Terry will take away with him are the conversations with the people Avenues supports and their teams. He is clearly proud of the achievements of Avenues support teams in transforming the lives of people they support.
“I have worked with some incredible people who are very loyal to the organisation and to the people they support and that’s been really rewarding.” Says Terry.
“It’s the visits to services and spending time with teams of staff out in the regions, seeing their enthusiasm for the service and being able to speak directly to some of those people we support.”
“All these conversations over the years bring you back to why it’s important that you’re doing it.”
The future
As Terry prepares to step down, he is enthusiastic for Avenues’ future. “There is potential for further growth – we are regularly wining new projects and continue to increase the number of people supported.” he says. He also thinks that there could also be “future opportunities for mergers with other organisations who share a similar set of values.” terry says.
Avenues is seeking candidates to take over the role of chair who share the vision and values of the organisation and want to see the people we support and their families at the heart of all that we do.
Could you be Avenues new Chair of Trustees?
For more information see https://www.vbsearch.co.uk/s/Avenues-Chair-Pack.pdf
You can also call Rob Hilyer for an informal chat on 07952 316 654 or email avenues@vbsearch.co.uk