Our Board of Trustees

Our centre is run by a Board of Trustees, whose responsibility it is to ensure the strategic running of the centre, to support the staff in their work, and to ensure Furzedown Project is a place where older people feel they want to be.

Every year at our AGM, we appoint our board of trustees for the coming year. The trustees meet seven times a year, and support the decision-making of the centre. If you feel you would make a good trustee, you may approach the manager of the centre, or the chair or vice-chair of trustees.

Each year our Board of Trustees hold our Annual General Meeting to show the work we have been doing over the year. You may like to read our current report Here.

Chair: Liz Sayce; Treasurer Praz Sugunasingha; Trustees: Graham Loveland; Sue Pearson; Rosemary Scott; Martin Beaver; Martine Davies; Su Wardrop; Jeff Pickering;

Message from our Chair, Liz Sayce

I’m excited to be starting as Chair of the Furzedown Project after spending 2 years as a Trustee. I have been involved in the project for several years, and I love its ethos of being inclusive, welcoming, led by the ideas and energies of its members. It’s been great meeting so many people involved and I look forward to meeting those I haven’t yet met.

I live locally on the Heritage Park estate. My background is working in the areas of mental health and disability rights policy – I’ve had jobs including Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK and Policy Director of Mind and of the Disability Rights Commission. I’m passionate about equality and ensuring everyone can participate and lead the lives we want as we get older. I’ve also been on several Boards and committees, for instance in the NHS, central government and charities. 

I’m keen to set priorities for our work in discussion with members, volunteers, staff and Trustees. I plan to work with all the Trustees to make the most of everyone’s different skills and links in the local community; and hope I can bring skills like strategy, communications and governance. I plan to support Sandra and the team in reaching new members in the community, collaborating with other local organisations and developing the future of our organisation.   

It’s great news that Graham Loveland, who stood down as Chair this year, is staying on as Vice Chair.

With best wishes, Liz Sayce

H/R Support:

Aims: As we are constantly being monitored by the Council and all the funding bodies that we receive financial support/grants from, it is essential
• to provide valid information about the running of the Project
• to refresh or update existing policies and procedures ie; Health and Safety: Access: Equal Opportunities: Quality Control: Training: etc.
• To review staffing issues ie; pay and conditions, performance related pay, retention; professional development; job descriptions; annual leave etc.

Fundraising Support:

Aims: Continue traditional project fundraising events ie; Christmas and Easter Fayres, Plant Sales, Bric-a-Brac Sales, Raffles. And develop other forms of fundraising eg; Car-boot sales, ebay sales, recipe book, evening meal event and any other suggestions.
• Develop other ties with the local community ie; presence at School’s or Church’s events.
•Grant applications
• Explore donations through regular gifts, Sponsorships, Gifts in Wills etc

Talks and Activities:

Aims:
• To organise interesting and stimulating talks and events
• Target to have at least three talks per year – some just for Project members, others open to the whole community with fundraising potential
• Develop new activities that address different needs or can bring in new members and income
• Continue involvement with local community events ie; Furzedown Festival Big Day Out, Christmas Market

Communication:

Aims:
• To maintain and develop the Project’s website
• Online communication ie Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc
• To keep news and information up to date, with window posters, newsletters and Annual Report
• To produce printed assets to promote activities in The Project, volunteering and it’s outreach work

Catering and events:

Aims;
• To provide refreshments for the AGM, our events and parties for members and volunteers