Buyer
Consulting
Consulting
Commercial and Strategic Growth
Age UK Lancashire: Leadership, growth and impact
Seven years of strategic board leadership supporting Age UK Lancashire's growth, resilience, partnerships and community impact across the county.
IMPACT
89,000+
people supported
£2.3m+
unclaimed benefits secured
7 years
strategic leadership
THE PROJECT
The challenge
THE CONTEXT
Age UK Lancashire supports older people across a large and diverse county, responding to challenges including isolation, financial insecurity, health inequalities and digital exclusion.
As community needs and the wider health and care system continued to change, the organisation needed to remain sustainable and resilient while adapting its services around what matters most to older people and their families.
BUYER CONSULTING'S ROLE
Turning sector frustration into collective action
Over seven years as Chair of Trustees, Victoria has provided strategic board leadership and governance through a period of organisational growth and transformation.
Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board, her focus has been on strengthening organisational sustainability, governance and financial resilience while ensuring Age UK Lancashire continues to respond effectively to the needs of older people across the county.
HOW WE WORKED
From strategy to action
01
Work undertaken
Victoria has helped shape a programme of organisational growth and transformation, supporting stronger governance, investment and financial resilience, strategic partnership development and the expansion of digital inclusion initiatives.
Digital inclusion became particularly important during the pandemic and remains part of the organisation's approach to ensuring older people can access information, support and services.
Her work has also focused on maintaining a clear connection between strategic decision-making and the experiences of older people and their families, helping the organisation develop sustainable approaches that can adapt as community needs change.
02
Collaboration
Victoria has worked in close partnership with Chief Executive Teri Stephenson, fellow trustees, staff and volunteers, alongside health partners, local authorities and community organisations across Lancashire.
A key part of this work has been developing trusted relationships across the local health and care system and strengthening opportunities for the voices and experiences of older people to inform decision-making.
By connecting communities, public services and voluntary-sector partners, Age UK Lancashire has strengthened its ability to reach people experiencing disadvantage, loneliness and health inequalities.
Age UK in action
A closer look at the people and collaboration behind the work.
WHAT CHANGED
Outcome and impact
OUTCOME
What changed
Age UK Lancashire combines strong community roots with strategic influence across the county, while continuing to deliver practical support that improves everyday lives.
In 2024/25, the charity supported more than 89,000 people across Lancashire and helped secure more than £2.3 million in previously unclaimed benefits for older people.
The organisation has continued to strengthen its governance, financial resilience, partnerships and ability to adapt services around changing community needs while maintaining its focus on healthy ageing, independence and quality of life.
WIDER IMPACT
Why it mattered
Seven years of sustained board leadership have supported Age UK Lancashire in strengthening its organisational resilience while increasing its ability to respond to the changing needs of older people across the county.
The work has combined governance and strategic development with community engagement, digital inclusion and partnership working across Lancashire's health and care system. This has helped maintain a strong connection between organisational strategy and the everyday experiences of older people and their families.
Alongside the scale of people reached, the organisation's work demonstrates practical impact, including helping older people access previously unclaimed financial support and strengthening connections between communities, voluntary organisations and public services.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
Expertise behind the project
The people who brought the strategy, sector knowledge and relationships needed to move the work forward.
