LOCAL charity, Active and In Touch (A&IT), has welcomed a new trustee, Sheila Huddy, to its team.
The charity reports, “Sheila’s introduction to A&IT has been a baptism of fire. As a result of location and the pandemic, she attended her first two meetings via Zoom, whilst having to get to grips very quickly with an understanding of the charity’s finances alongside getting to know her fellow trustees.
“More recently, Sheila has also become a first-time grandmother to a baby boy, born in Germany. Exciting times all round!
“Originally from Devon, Sheila first moved to Somerset some years ago, working at Bath Racecourse, before relocating to Sussex and Brighton Racecourse and working in a hotel chain. When her employment proved to be 24/7 and all consuming, preventing her ability and desire to become a member of the local community, she decided upon a career break.
“This coincided with her mum, sadly, having a very nasty fall, and so she returned to the South West. Having previously lived in Frome for six months and loving that experience, she was also drawn back by the local amenities, good train links and theatres. Although by now working in accounts for a software company in Bath which provides IT support for the NHS and Mental Health Practitioners to use, she was determined to become part of Frome’s community.
“Pre-pandemic, Sheila was also a National Trust volunteer at Lacock where, in common with so many National Trust properties, rationalisation has brought about the disappearance of a number of volunteers’ posts.
“However, the National Trust’s loss is very definitely Active and In Touch’s gain, as looking for another volunteering position, Sheila met Carol Didymus, (A&IT Trustee) at the Roots Connection stall in the Cheese and Grain.
“Their conversation led to them realising Sheila’s skill in accounting was just what A&IT needed, whilst at the same time fulfilling her desire to become a volunteer, giving support and something back to the community. Sheila has never been a trustee before, but is very happy to have skills to pass on. The rest, as they say, is history.”
