Meryl Smith
Role on the Board: Trustee
Expertise: Governance, Charity Sector, Community Development, Fundraising and Experience of partnership working with local authorities and other community organisations.
Background: Retired from charity dedicated to organisational development and community development. Now involved in various community organisations in Charlbury and Trustee of 3 other county charities.
Passion: My husband and I enjoy walking and visiting local pubs. My husband is a keen allotment-holder (2 plots) and I enjoy the fresh vegetables.
About Steve Phillips:
I live in Charlbury and came there in 1979 from London to take up a job with the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) (a charity now called Community First Oxfordshire) advising local rural community groups on how to manage local assets such as community halls and playing fields. I had previously worked in the Rural Department of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations supporting this kind of work being done by RCCs around the country.
In Charlbury I organise the local Good Neighbour Scheme and the Dementia Friendly Charlbury group and help to support an elderly lady with dementia.
Why did you become a trustee of Sunrise Multicultural Project?
I like the community development approach of the organisation and understand the value for any community of having a Trusted Voice and Trusted Friend in an organisation which acts as a conduit for local residents to sources of help and support and represents their interests to decision makers and service providers.
What do you enjoy most about being involved with Sunrise?
Working with and supporting the fantastic staff team and being part of such a worthwhile and ground-breaking organisation. My main regret being that I do not live locally and therefore am not able to visit our local groups or the office as much as I should as a Trustee.
What is one thing you hope Sunrise achieves in the future?
Better working conditions and less stress for our staff team, who are in such demand and so keen to help our clients.
Favourite Place to visit?
Somerset
Favourite Hobby?
Walking
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or historical, who would it be?
Shakespeare
What motivates or inspires you?
Aim to help people.
Tea or Coffee!?
Coffee.
Favourite Food?
Mushrooms.
Favourite Book?
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.
