Trustees Week – Yin Jones
My name is Yin Jones and I am a trustee of the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA). I first became aware of CLAPA after my daughter was born with a cleft palate a few years ago, and I became a trustee in 2015. I am a qualified lawyer with substantial experience in the criminal justice field and have worked in the Civil Service, as a lawyer, for over 20 years. I also sit on various disciplinary panels across London and the South East region.
I became a trustee of CLAPA because I wanted to give something back to the community which had supported and encouraged my family and I through my daughter’s difficult early years. I first came across the services of CLAPA the day after my daughter was born. I found its website to contain a wealth of information and details of networks that my family were able to access easily. I found myself volunteering for CLAPA first as a parent contact and then as the Chair of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Branch. One thing led to another and then I found myself applying to become a trustee. I have a personal interest in CLAPA as a result of my daughter’s health condition but I also wanted to build on my skills and experience as part of my personal development.
As a trustee over the past year, I have been involved in significant events in CLAPA’s direction of travel including being part of the recruitment panel for a new Chief Executive. I have also been involved in fostering positive relationships with stakeholders who champion similar causes and have got to know patients, parents, carers, and others who are affected by cleft lip and/or palate. There have been moments when I have felt unsure about complex issues which were being discussed but I have always felt supported in my role and am aware of where to go/who to ask for help.
I would utterly recommend being a trustee to anyone who might be interested. I am proud to be the trustee of CLAPA and have derived immense satisfaction from the role.
Yin Jones
Yin is a mother of 4 year old Hannah who was born with a cleft palate and Pierre Robin Sequence. Yin is a qualified barrister and, prior to Hannah’s birth, had substantial experience as a prosecutor in the criminal courts. Yin is also an independent member of the Police Misconduct Panel for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime. Yin works for Tearfund, a Christian international relief and development agency. Yin is a Parent Contact and was the Chair of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Branch. Yin applied to become a CLAPA Trustee to enable her to be involved in a cause which is very close to her heart and to play a key role in furthering the valuable objectives of CLAPA.
Find out more about who our trustees are and what they do here!
