After seven years as Chair of the Board, our wonderful colleague, Anne-Hélène Biosse-Duplan is passing the baton to our new Chair, Ruth Leonard. We are delighted that Anne-Hélène will continue serving as a trustee and remains a committed supporter of the Volunteer Centre.
A long-time resident of Kensington & Chelsea, Anne-Hélène has always believed in playing an active role in the life of the community. Her involvement with the Volunteer Centre has been one aspect of that wider commitment — contributing time, skills, and support to organisations that help strengthen connections between people in the borough.
We spoke with Anne-Hélène about her journey, what community means to her, and why supporting local organisations is so crucial.
How did your journey with the Volunteer Centre begin?
I first volunteered at VCKC over ten years ago, initially taking minutes at Board meetings. When an opportunity arose to join as a trustee, I jumped at the chance – and I’ve never looked back.
As a long-time Kensington & Chelsea resident, I wanted to contribute to organisations that genuinely strengthen our local community. The Volunteer Centre helps people, charities, and institutions find each other and work together, and that connective role really stood out to me.
What has volunteering meant to you personally?
Although my professional background is in corporate finance and management consultancy, volunteering has always been an important part of my life – whether serving as a trustee, supporting community initiatives, or providing pro bono consultancy to voluntary organisations.
These experiences have given me first-hand insight into the benefits of volunteering, both for the community and for the volunteer. They have also reinforced my belief that participating in the life of the place you live in is incredibly valuable.
What stands out from your first thirteen years at the Volunteer Centre?
I have supported VCKC whenever possible over the years, including fundraising following the fire at Grenfell Tower and serving as Chair from 2018 to 2025.
What stands out most is the people – the eclectic, dedicated, and thoughtful individuals who give their time, energy, and skills to strengthen our borough. It has been an inspiring and rewarding experience to work alongside such a committed group.
You’ve chosen to continue your support through a donation and a legacy gift. Why was that important to you?
I wanted to find a way to say thank you for the Volunteer Centre’s impact and for the experience of being part of it.
For many people, particularly those on fixed incomes, a legacy gift can feel like a meaningful way to contribute without compromising financial security during your lifetime. It allows you to support causes you care about while planning responsibly for the future. For me, donating and leaving a legacy gift felt like a natural continuation of my journey with the organisation.
Why does support like this matter now?
The voluntary sector is facing growing pressures, from increased demand to shifting funding landscapes affecting partners across health and local government. At the same time, communities remain full of people who want to help – through their time, their skills, their advocacy, or their resources.
Sustained financial support helps organisations to deliver consistently and remain responsive to community needs, but doesn’t have to be purely financial – warm introductions to potential new supporters, volunteering, and sharing knowledge are just as important.
Anne-Hélène has led the Board of the Volunteer Centre through very interesting times, including much of our response to the fire at Grenfell Tower, the celebration of our 50th anniversary, and the many challenges of the pandemic. She’s grounded the team with an incredible mix of strategic insight, resident voice, and practical, hands-on support – we’re both enormously grateful to her and enormously proud of her.
To discuss how you could support us, please contact us on 020 8960 3722 or at email hidden; JavaScript is required. Together, we can continue strengthening community life across Kensington & Chelsea.
