As he prepares to retire from the Board of Trustees, we spoke with Dave Morgan, our outgoing Chair, about his 14 years of dedicated service to The Basement Project. In this reflective interview, Dave shares what first drew him to the charity, how much it has grown and changed during his time, and what he’s found most rewarding about being part of its journey.
From our early days in the basement of a church to becoming a vital support service for young people across Worcestershire, Dave has played a key role in shaping who we are today. We will be forever grateful to him for all of his hard work and support.
1. How long have you been on the Board of Trustees at Basement Project, and what drew you to give your time to the charity?
I joined the Board of Trustees in 2011, so I’ve been a Trustee for 14 years. I had known about the charity for some time, as a close family friend, Sheila Collins, was one of the founding members. In my view, she was the main driving force in the early days, and often shared updates with us about the organisation. Having worked with young people through our church for many years, I felt the Basement was a very worthwhile cause and tried to support them when I could.
In late 2010, I decided to take early semi-retirement. Sheila, knowing I’ve always been someone who likes to keep busy, said I’d need something to stop me getting bored! When I asked what she had in mind, she suggested I could bring my business experience to the Basement by becoming a Trustee. Sheila had an uncanny knack for persuading people, especially when it was a cause she truly believed in, and within a few weeks I found myself being interviewed. Clearly I satisfied the interview panel, as I was appointed at the 2011 AGM.
I often joke that Sheila persuaded me by saying there were “only six Trustee meetings a year”! What she didn’t mention were all the other tasks Trustees take on, depending on their skills and experience. For me, that meant handling financial matters, business operations, and even creating the first Basement newsletter in late 2011 — which I went on to write quarterly for 10 years! I have to say, though, the work has been incredibly rewarding, and I’ve really enjoyed the past 14 years with the charity.
2. How has the charity evolved during your time on the Board?
The charity has changed almost beyond recognition since I joined. In 2011, like many charities at the time, we were still seeking grants based mainly on the quality of our service. However, it soon became clear that the funding landscape had changed. Funders now required detailed submissions, including case studies, measurable outcomes and data. We brought in an external consultancy, Bright Ideas, to help us adapt. This resulted in a new approach to making submissions, which has proven successful and laid the foundation for our improved financial stability. We went from having virtually no financial reserves to a position where we now have adequate funds to handle short-term challenges.
We’ve also grown from being a small organisation tucked away in the basement of a church (hence the name) to operating from a rented three-storey building with far better facilities. This has allowed us to offer broader support, including launching our food bank.
Another major shift has been in the needs of the young people we support. In the early days, most clients had one or maybe two issues. Now, many come to us with complex, multiple challenges — often linked to mental health. This has meant upskilling our support workers, who are now a highly professional and capable team. They can offer deeper support, such as mediation, practical life skills, and advice and training for entering the workplace.
We’ve also expanded geographically. Originally focused solely on Bromsgrove, we now support young people across Worcestershire, with drop-in services in several locations and staff working over a much wider area.
3. What does the day-to-day role of Chair entail?
In 2022, I was elected Chair of the Trustees for a three-year term. My role is to ensure the Trustees work together effectively for the benefit of the charity, to support the CEO, and through him, the wider team. I also occasionally represent the Basement in public by holding talks about the charity to groups and organisations.
As all Trustees are volunteers, the time commitment varies depending on the needs of the organisation and what each of us can offer. It sometimes involves juggling other responsibilities, but the key is being committed to the role and the work it involves.
4. What have you found most rewarding during your time with The Basement Project?
Over the past 14 years, the most rewarding part has been seeing the organisation thrive in what is often a tough environment. I’ve also taken great satisfaction in watching the staff grow — in confidence, knowledge, and in their support for one another as well as for the clients.
Even though Trustees aren’t directly involved with clients or casework, it’s deeply fulfilling to know that the work we do enables the charity to make a genuine difference in so many young lives.