The Work-Life Balance Trust

An independant charity, with no political affiliations

 The Work-Life Balance Trust


THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE TRUST SAYS GOODBYE



In 1998 the aim of the Word-Life Balance Trust was to publicise the issue of Work-Life Balance, to everyone in Britain. Only after you understand the issue can you work out a) whether you have it or not and b) take steps to improve your situation.

The Work-Life Balance Trust has now decided to disband, because it has accomplished what it set out to do. Most people in Britain now know what 'work-life-balance' means; everyone knows whether they've got it or not; everybody wants it. The leading political parties are now aware that they cannot ignore this issue and it is on the agenda of the main political parties. Whichever party is elected to Government will have far greater power than the Work-Life Balance Trust to improve work-life-balance in all areas, except those of individual choice.

Each person's work-life balance needs are different, and change at different periods of their life. Each person needs to be aware of this, and that good balance is a personal responsibility.

Thanks to our Trustees, our small Advisory Committee, our patrons and our generous and supportive sponsors, the Work-Life Balance Trust has achieved a great deal. We have had considerable political impact and have improved the lives of millions of Britishers. We have also:
  1. Popularised the concept and raised the profile of work-life balance
  2. Held three Work-Life Balance Weeks - the last involving 3 million people - plus one conference for 500 people, and other events
  3. Produced material and publications for schools, universities, colleges and workplaces
  4. Enabled work-life balance to be openly discussed in the workplace
  5. Made boardrooms aware of the issue
  6. Stimulated actions by other people and organisations
There are 20 Advisory Committee members of the Trust; nearly all have families, full time jobs, and often run their own business. I would like to acknowledge the great effort made for years by every Committee member, and the great success of what they have achieved. I would also like to thank our website designer, Mike Griffiths of G3Web.

In our efforts we have been greatly supported by Caroline Waters, the Employment Director of BT; the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP and the DTI; the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge and the DfES; Baroness Jay of Paddington and Cherie Blair QC, all of whom are longstanding, firm supporters of Work-Life Balance.

We have proved that a few people sitting around a kitchen table can make a big difference - provided they get sufficient financial and practical help from big-hearted sponsors, and support from their equally devoted fellow workers in the Voluntary Sector, such as the Daycare Trust, Working Families, the NSPCC and Father's Direct.

With best wishes,
Shirley Conran, Founder President of the Work-Life Balance Trust


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PRESIDENT:  Shirley Conran OBE
TRUSTEES: Lindsay Cook   Janet Fitch   Sandra Hepburn
PATRONS: Gillian Ayres OBE    The Baroness Brigstocke CBE    Professor Petruska Clarkson    Elaine Clifton
Professor Nigel Coates    Jasper Conran    Sebastian Conran    Dr Dennis Friedman    Kathy Gilgunn    Richard E Grant
Felicity Green Hill    Lady Irvine    Lynda La Plante    Prue Leith OBE    Nonie Niesewand    Sian Phillips
Mary Quant OBE    Maureen Rice    Professor Andrew Samuels    Professor Jane Somerville    Christopher Ward
Michael Wolff    Peter York   Jennifer d'Abo    Girton College    St. Paul's Girls' School    William Morris Academy
W-LB Trust Charity Commission Registration No. 1088149

'Work-Life Balance Week is organised and run by W-LB Limited (Company No. 4154218) with the assistance of a media-based Advisory Committee. For projects which are charitable, the company receives financial and other assistance from Work-Life Balance Trust, registered charity no. 1088149'