Verity - sharing the truth about PCOS

Verity is run by a committed Board of Trustees which oversees management and development of the organisation. The Trustees are all volunteers and are dedicated to helping Verity its aims.

Being a Trustee for Verity can be demanding but the rewards are enormous. It's a great feeling knowing you are helping to improve the lives of thousands of women.

In the absence of staff, the Board of Trustees also takes responsibility for the day to day running of the organisation from processing membership packs, dealing with journalists' requests, producing In Touch the bi-annual newsletter, raising funds and managing the office.

Rachel Hawkes
Chair, PR Manager & Website Manager

Rachel joined Verity in 2005 as the PR Manager just after being diagnosed with PCOS.  In 2007 Rachel was elected as Chair, she continues to manage Verity's PR activities and also oversees the running of the Verity website and discussion board.  Her area of expertise lays in integrating media and digital marketing - particularly  online PR, social media marketing and news engine SEO (search engine optimisation).  She is a keen writer, and has regularly published articles in the areas of PR and digital marketing.  Whilst in Australia, Rachel undertook a 26 week training course to qualify as a crisis counsellor.

Premila Shaw
Deputy Chair & Office Manager

Premila decided to start a family in 2004 after working in IT for the Insurance industry for 20 years.  She was diagnosed with PCOS so decided to volunteer for Verity and was promtly made a Trustee and the Office Manager.  In 2007, Premila was elected to role of Deputy Chair and works for Verity from home whilst looking after her two young children - Ryan born in September 2005 and Jasmine born in May 2007.  Premila's strength lies in organising and she is happy to give as much time as possible to ensure that Verity goes from strength to strength.

Caroline Andrews
Company Secretary & Legal Advisor

Caroline is a newly qualified lawyer, specialising in family, employment and education law.  Through joining Verity, Caroline would like to help communicate that although we all suffer with similar symptoms, we all face different difficulties due to the varying stages of life, and lifestyle.  Caroline has experience in event planning, fundraising and publicity and has previously volunteered for Cancer Research UK.  Caroline joined the Verity Board in October 2007, and was promptly appointed as the Company Secretary and Legal Advisor.

Anna Cassin
PCOS UK & Health Advisor

Anna has worked as a nurse, predominantly in child nursing for over twenty years.  She sees the biggest challenge with PCOS as being the need to educate health professionals about how to help their patients manage their PCOS.  Anna has extensive experience working in public services and developing public health campaigns, in addition to having experience in event management and sitting on steering committees.  Anna joined Verity as a Trustee in October 2007, and oversees PCOS UK, Verity's medical education arm in addition to the role as Health Advisor.

Dawn Brown
Volunteer & Local Group Co-Ordinator

Dawn has an extensive background in hospitality and event organisation and has experience in policy writing and community engagement.  She has been an active member of her local community where she became Chair of the social inclusion partnership board, and was also involved in the City Alliance (the major group for decision making in Aberdeen), the civic forum and the Joint Alcohol and Drugs Action Team.  Dawn also played an integral role in the development of the 'standards for community engagement' for the Scottish Community Development Centre.  In March 2008, Dawn joined Verity as a Trustee and was appointed as the Volunteer and Local Group Co-ordinator.