Blackburn Rovers Community Trust Shows Appreciation for Their Volunteers

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust Shows Appreciation for Their Volunteers

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust has a strong team of volunteers who support the charity to deliver and provide invaluable support to their local community 365 days per year.

The volunteers of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust are actively involved in various projects and initiatives, ranging from engaging with young individuals through the Neighbourhood Youth Offer to providing support and guidance during health and well-being sessions.

The Community Trust greatly values the contributions of all its volunteers, and among them are the dedicated individuals serving on the board of Trustees. These Trustees play a crucial role in the implementation of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust’s strategy within the local community and beyond.

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust is fortunate to have a committed and diligent board of Trustees, which includes Uwais Patel. Uwais, a qualified Chartered Accountant with experience in audit and advisory, has transitioned to the insurance brokerage field, where he currently holds the position of Group Chief Operating Officer.

With a focus on Community Inclusion, Uwais actively supports BRCT in its endeavors and provides valuable input to the board of Trustees during key decision-making processes that have a profound impact on the present and future of the charitable organization.

“I have lived in Blackburn all my life and I was brought up as a Rovers fan. It meant that I always wanted to give back to the community and help overcome barriers that I faced. Having seen the work, the Community Trust had done previously and my passion for the football club, I really wanted to get involved and give back to the community. I am lucky enough now to work for a company that also sponsors the football club and we have supported many initiatives such as the Ewood Express that helps thousands of people in the borough. I am incredibly proud to represent the Community Trust. It is great that I can listen to the public and know we have both the facilities and fantastic team in place running the day-to-day operations to make a positive difference.”

Uwais, Group Chief Operating Officer, speaking during Volunteers Week 2023

Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities.

“Community focus was a key part of my life when I was growing up. It is also one of the key virtues of my religion, Islam. Giving back to the community gives us a sense of gratitude, and by being privileged enough to be in this position as a Trustee and to see the impact the Community Trust is making on so many people’s lives, helps me accomplish my personal goals too. I am a lifelong Blackburn Rovers supporter and to have the chance to give back to my town, I have never seen it as a volunteering role but almost a hobby that I enjoy doing. The Community Trust has made a huge difference on my life by allowing me to make a difference. However, more importantly, it is making a difference on thousands of individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Without the great staff we have in place, none of this would be even possible. You can see on match days the difference it makes, but the Community Trust is active 365 days per year supporting people.”

Uwais, explanation when asked why he wanted to volunteer to be a Trustee.