In May 2025, Jemma Kinch became the new head of the charity. She brings more than 20 years of experience working in third sector and charitable organisations across the UK, in both national and regional roles. She has a strong background in income generation, leadership and helping organisations to transform. Since joining, Jemma has focused on raising the charity’s profile across the North West, nurturing the team, and increasing its impact in our local communities. Jemma said: “Coming to work for the NWAS Charity as the head of charity has been a bit of an ambition of mine for several years. I made it through to the final two candidates when the role was advertised back in 2022, but I was sadly pipped to the post. We’ve all been there! “They say all good things come to those who wait and after a bit of soul searching, I put everything into focusing on the job I was in as deputy chief executive officer of a national pancreatic cancer charity and doubling their fundraising income in the two years that followed. Then three years later, in January 2025, the head of charity job was readvertised for the NWAS Charity, and I knew I had to give it one last try, so I did… and here I am!”

What does a typical day look like for you?

“Working for an NHS charity brings together the two things that I have always found incredibly rewarding: making a tangible difference and supporting people. No two days are ever the same in my role. A typical day could include meeting with partners and supporters, working on initiatives to generate income such as new grant applications, raising awareness at events, developing strategic goals to grow our impact and writing reports and reviewing finances and governance.”

What’s your proudest achievement so far?

“It’s an exciting time for us as we approach a milestone year. Our charity was established a year after NWAS was formed in 2006, and as NWAS celebrates its 20th birthday this year, the NWAS Charity will mark 20 years of charitable activity in 2027. “We’re looking forward to launching a new three-year strategy that will lay out a framework to ensure that every pound raised for our charity delivers real and measurable benefits for patients, staff, volunteers and our supporters.”

What motivates you?

“Our charity was proud to support the trust’s annual sponsored staff Star Awards in May to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary dedication and compassion shown by colleagues across the service. It was fantastic to hear the remarkable stories of staff and volunteers. It’s stories like these that help to keep me motivated in my job. “On the night, we were lucky enough to be joined on our table by some incredible supporters of the charity, who have overcome some of the most difficult times in their life, but channelled their grief into supporting the NWAS Charity.”

What’s your favourite part of the job?

“My favourite part of my job, hands down, is the relationship with the people we work with every day. The fundraisers, community groups, volunteers, corporate partners and colleagues across the trust. I am constantly in awe of the time and effort supporters dedicate to our small and mighty charity, but immensely proud that they’ve chosen us out of the thousands of other charitable causes across the country they could support.”

Find out more about the NWAS Charity.