Volunteers with Hands at Work are at their most visible when working on the ground in Africa, or advocating or speaking on behalf of Hands at Work here in the UK – we see them when they are fundraising or organising and training teams. However, there is another set of individuals, also volunteers, who are essential to the effective running of Hands at Work in Africa UK as an organisation, and that’s our Board of Trustees. Trustees’ work is largely hidden and unnoticed – until, that is, there is a problem, and then their actions can come under the scrutiny of regulatory bodies such as the Charity Commission, to whom they are legally accountable. It is therefore a role that carries important legal responsibilities for the safe and proper running of the organisation.
This year we are saying thank you and farewell to a number of long-standing Trustees who are stepping down after many years’ service between them, and we are also welcoming some new volunteers.
Farewell to:
Nick Lawrence
When George & Carolyn Snyman retired from Hands at Work, people spoke of the end of the ‘Founder Era of Hands’. The same is true of Nick Lawrence’s retirement from the Board of Hands at Work UK. Nick has been a Trustee since Hands at Work UK was formed, helping to establish it, serving as Chair and then, latterly, as a Trustee for over 20 years. Not only did he set us up organisationally, but he had a natural gift in promoting Hands at Work and building relationships, enabling the establishment of a great network of supporters. Even more importantly, he retained an encyclopaedic memory of who people are, their families, and (of course!) which football team they support! We are particularly sorry that it is ill health that has led Nick to step down and we wish him well and assure him of our prayers, both for him and Heather.
Brad Askew
Brad is a member of Woodlands Church in Bristol, one of our major Partners, and has served on the Board for 3 years. As a former lawyer, he brought with him the necessary experience and skill to redraft our Charitable Purposes and Articles of Association in order to reflect the current circumstances and needs of our work.
Oliver Westmancott
For the past 10 years Oliver has been the Chair of the Board and has brought an astonishing breadth of skills and experience to the task. During his tenure, Hands at Work UK has grown considerably as an organisation in terms of size, with 4-5 times more Partners; in terms of income, which is 3 times what it was; and in the employment of a paid National Coordinator, a first for Hands at Work UK. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all that he has done and for the time, energy and hard work he has given to this role. We are delighted that he has agreed to continue as Vice Chair for a period to help ease in our new Board Chair.
Welcome to:
Teresa Clarke
Teresa joined the Board over 2 years ago, having first visited Hands at Work with a German team in 2023. Until recently she was a senior civil servant in the Department of Justice, for which service she was awarded the CBE. She is currently training as a counsellor. We are delighted that she has agreed to take on the role as Chair in succession to Oliver. She brings a huge range of experience and skills to the task.
Chrystalla Spire
Chrystalla first visited Hands at Work in 2017 with a team from St Albans. Since that time she has been a tenacious supporter and fundraiser for Hands at Work, organising numerous fundraising events at our Partner church, St Albans Abbey, where she worships. She is a barrister and commercial lawyer and so brings important legal skills to the Board.
Sam Walker
Sam has been involved in Hands at Work for nearly 18 years. He has visited Africa numerous times, especially when he was part of the Forge Church in Suffolk. He is a legend in the community of Maposa in Zambia, where children still ask after him to anyone who visits! He is now a church leader in Coalisland, Northern Ireland. The church has recently become one of our newest Partnerships. As well as the experience of church leadership, Sam will be taking a particular responsibility for Communications.