Proposed Statement of Purpose
The Defib Experience Advisory Panel (DEAP) is a collective of previous and experienced members of Donate for Defib WsM project who wish to continue contributing to the organisation through an advisory role only.
It brings together former Project Leads, Clinical Members and Non-Clinical Members who could provide knowledge to the current Project Leads and Senior Management Team if required.
DEAP does not replace or override the responsibilities of current Project Leads or Management.
Instead, it provides a source of experience from those who have previously contributed to Donate For Defib WsM Project.
A Bridge Between Experience & The Future
Donate for Defib has been built through the commitment, knowledge and contribution of many people since it started in August 2023
As members move into different roles, graduate from projects, or step away from operational involvement, there is an opportunity to retain that experience
The Panel would bring together selected previous members from across Donate for Defib WsM project, including:
- Previous Project Leads
- Clinical Members
- Non-Clinical Members
The purpose is not to create another layer of management.
Instead, to provide an environment where current Project Leads and Senior Management Team members can seek advice if required.
The Advisory Panel Can Provide:
Experience
Sharing lessons both good and bad from the project since it commenced in 2023
Continuity
Maintaining organisational knowledge when people move between roles or leave operational positions.
Specialist advice
Drawing on clinical advice or queries relating to clinical practice as needed for the project,
Proposed Role of the Advisory Panel
Advisory Role should operate around four core principles:
- Advise, don’t direct
Accountability and decision-making remain with the current Project Leads and Senior Management Team.
- Support, don’t manage
The Panel should help people succeed rather than become an additional management structure.
- Share experience openly
Previous successes, failures and lessons learned should be viewed as organisational learning, both bad and good points.
- Keep the current team at the centre
The Advisory Panel exists to strengthen the current Donate for Defib team, not to recreate previous ways of working.
DEAP could be asked to:
- Share lessons learned from previous Donate for Defib initiatives: what worked and what didn’t
- Provide clinical or non-clinical specialist advice where appropriate.
Clear, agreed boundaries are essential to ensure DEAP provides meaningful support without duplicating, disrupting, or undermining existing leadership and governance arrangements.
What DEAP Would Not Do:
- DEAP would not run or manage current projects.
- DEAP would not direct or instruct current Project Leads or members of the operational team.
- DEAP would not make operational decisions on behalf of current members, Project Leads, or the organisation.
- DEAP would not take responsibility for project delivery or assume ownership of any current project.
- DEAP would not override, bypass, or undermine the Senior Management Team, Project Leads or established lines of accountability.
- DEAP would not replace or duplicate existing governance, management, or decision-making structures.
- DEAP would not interfere with the day-to-day running of projects or services.
- DEAP would not undermine the authority, confidence, or accountability of the current Project Leads.
- DEAP would not create parallel reporting or decision-making arrangements that could cause confusion about who is responsible for delivery.
- DEAP would not commit the organisation to actions, resources, expenditure, or decisions without the appropriate authority from the current leadership team.
- DEAP would not position experience as a substitute for current knowledge, accountability, or leadership.
The Guiding Principle:
DEAP exists to share experience and offer informed advice—not to take control.
The current team retains responsibility for decisions, delivery, priorities, and outcomes. DEAP’s role is to support that team by drawing on the knowledge, experience, and lessons learned from those who have previously contributed to the organisation.
The principle should be:
“We advise from experience, but the current team leads the future.
Table of Contents
It is an opportunity to continue to contribute to Donate for Defib in an advisory capacity only
Donate For Defib has benefited from the commitment, experience and expertise of many people who have contributed as Project Leads, Clinical Members and Non-Clinical Members.
DEAP could bring together previous and experienced members willing to provide advice to our current Project Leads and Senior Management Team if required.
The Panel is not intended to be an operational or management body.
Its role is to act as a source of experience of what went well in the past and what did not, as well as any clinical queries.
- Share experience and lessons learned as required
- Provide clinical or non-clinical expertise where appropriate as required
Any queries from the Project Leads or SMT can be emailed to the advisory panel, or a Google Meet can be set up to discuss any issues if required
Importantly, the Panel will advise rather than direct
Current Project Leads and the Senior Management Team retain responsibility for operational decisions and delivery.
We recognise that previous members have different commitments and expertise, and participation is to be based on what each person is able and willing to contribute.
DEAP exists to support the people currently delivering the work and to help Donate for Defib WsM Project continue to grow, develop and make a meaningful difference.
Learn from the past. Support the present. Help shape the future.
Advisory Panel Members - Clinical & Former Senior Management
To start the Defib Experience Advisory Panel, in the coming weeks updates will be given by both Josh Bell and Professor Graham Stuart who will be both leading DEAP together.
Contacting The 'Defib Experience Advisory Panel'
The ‘Defib Experience Advisory Panel’ are still based in the Weston-super-Mare and will be in constant communication with the Donate For Defib Senior Management Team.
Feel free to email the DEAP Team or complete the email form below to find out more: [email protected]