Our trustees are all volunteers who share ultimate responsibility for governing Welcare and directing how it is managed and run.
Each trustee serves for a term of three years and at the end of their term they may be re-appointed for a further consecutive term of three years – unfortunately for us The Venerable Moira Astin, Archdeacon of Reigate has now completed her term of 6 years and has stepped down as a trustee.
On behalf of everyone involved with our work of Welcare I would like to thank Moira for her time, wisdom and passion for what we do.
Moira contributed her experience setting up a service for young parents and also her local knowledge and connections within the Reigate Archdeaconry and wider diocese. What I witnessed first-hand was Moira’s public witness and championing of our work in meetings and events, taking every opportunity to remind everyone that Welcare delivers practical and emotional support work on the ground and to our local community. Although Moira is no longer a trustee, I know her support will continue beyond holding office, on 17 March she will be encouraging staff, volunteers and supporters with her homily at our Lent Lunch. Thank you Moira.
Welcome Louise
Louise Villeneau is an experienced senior social worker who joined the board of trustees before Christmas and she shares some of her impressions of getting to know Welcare over the last few months.
“I have enjoyed getting to know the trustees, and also the staff, whether this was at the planning day or training event about Trauma Informed Practice which I attended last month.
Last week I visited the Redhill Family Centre attending the ‘Working Together with You’ morning. Here I met local partner agencies, including teachers, Stripey Stork (providing pre-loved baby equipment to families in need), and Surrey Multi-Ethnic Forum and local clergy and parish reps.
Meeting and talking to the staff from Welcare, as well as staff from other agencies has helped bring alive for me the work that Welcare does.
I also dropped into the ‘Baby and Me’ group and had the chance to spend some time with mothers and babies. Hina who runs these groups is resourceful, fun and makes sure everyone feels a part of the group. As well as this, she speaks 3 languages – a great help in communicating with mothers whose first language is not English. It can be daunting joining such groups as a new mother, but I observed her high level of skill in working with people at first hand. This work is invaluable and helps build relationships in the local community with a wide range of people. This relationship building is at the heart of what Welcare does and is also what drew me to want to be a trustee for Welcare in the first place”.
Thank you, Louise we are so pleased you have joined the board of trustees and are already sharing your experience of delivering social work in the community with us.
