Meet the Trustees

Aaron

Aaron has always been interested in problem solving and with a technology and multimedia background it’s allowed him to brainstorm, code and put into place those solutions. As a Studio Process Improvement Manager for a major fashion retailer those skills have allowed him to drive projects, coach and support team members and improve working processes.

In November Aaron got officially involved with Abbotshall, taking over website duties and leading and developing processes to improve bookings and donations. He is focusing on streamlining party bookings and more clearly advertising class and centre offerings to the community.

Aaron fell in love with Abbotshall when he moved to Catford 6 years ago with his partner. He’s found that having two children with walking access to such a wonderfully safe space is invaluable in London.

Aaron says “I’m here because I can see the potential in Abbotshall and believe that I can help focus us to be the best offering we can, improving local health and wellness for the whole community and giving them a safe space to come and feel part of the Abbotshall family.”


“be the best offering we can, improving local health and wellness for the whole community”

Christian

Christian currently works as an Interim Director with large-scale corporate changes.

He has spent more than 20 years in hospitality, communication, fintech, and fast-moving consumer goods.

In his youth, Christian was lucky enough to grow up in a community that had easy access to lots of different resources that ranged from youth clubs to sports clubs, woods and beaches.He grew up in Norway and has spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying the benefits of nature.

Christian lives locally with his wife (Serena) and their two children - who can often be seen tearing around the Abbotshall field.

Christian says: “for me the HLC is a safe haven, it’s a place where I can meet like-minded people and new people in a safe surrounding. Where my kids can run around and play with their friends. Access to open green space for all, is an important ingredient that enable a healthy lifestyle - both physically and mentally.”

“for me the HLC is a safe haven, it’s a place where I can meet like-minded people and new people in a safe surrounding.”

Daisy

Daisy has worked in major gifts fundraising for 15 years, with roles across the charity, higher education, and arts sectors. She's currently Head of Philanthropy at a national museum group with experience in securing donations from generous individuals and charitable trusts and foundations, and is excited to bring this experience to her work at Abbotshall.

She first came to Abbotshall when her daughter was a newborn and she found herself in need of extra support and community navigating life with a baby. It felt like such a safe space and amazing resource so close to home. The centre’s closure left a big gap, and she wants to help the team in safeguarding its future.

Daisy will be looking particularly at our fundraising income, and will be working on building relationships with charitable funders and securing donations.

Daisy says “Abbotshall is such a vital resource for our community. It's somewhere that people of all ages can come together to learn new skills and make connections and friendships, and places like this are really rare. I want to make sure that Abbotshall has a bright future, and that it can continue to be a beacon for everyone that needs it.”

“and that it can continue to be a beacon for everyone that needs it.”

Frank

Frank is known to many in the community as the owner of a landscaping company; he previously worked in hospitality for 30 years in the City and the West End.

Frank helped to set up the charity that now runs the HLC; he has been involved with the HLC before it was even opened - setting up the community and wildlife gardens – and ever since.He remembers holding CRA meetings in the former dilapidated huts where the centre building now stands, and is very much part of its history. He has helped maintain the field and took part in the native hedge and fruit tree planting projects. In July 2023 Frank was the sole Board member who resisted the recommendation that Abbotshall HLC should file for insolvency.

Frank says: “I want to be part of where the centre goes from now on and to keep it on the right track. I am totally committed to taking the HLC forward as a centre for the community. We have a very talented team this time and good loyal staff which I have no doubt are going to make a real success of the centre in the future.”

“I am totally committed to taking the HLC forward as a centre for the community.”

Julia (chair)

Julia has worked for over 15 years in the charity sector. For 5 years she chaired the board of a counselling charity, and was Trustee of a community church in Kennington before moving to SE6. She is now Head of Media & Communications for a national charity working with disadvantaged young people.

Julia’s experience in governance, donor relationships, brand & project management are essential to ensure not only that Abbotshall HLC meets its statutory obligations in terms of governance, but also builds good relationships with staff, the community and partner organisations.

Julia says: “Our house looks out onto Abbotshall and when it was open I loved watching people use the centre. I have a photo on our living room wall of me and our two sons at the centre when the smallest was a newborn. It was the first place we ventured out to when he was born and became a huge part of our weekly life while I was on maternity leave – a guaranteed place to find a good coffee and a chat on a bad day. I would love to see the community take more responsibility and ‘ownership’ to build the centre’s sustainability and to view it as a charity that can only survive with everyone’s support.”

“I would love to see the community take more responsibility and ‘ownership’ and to view it as a charity that can only survive with everyone’s support.”

Julia J (Legal)

Julia has lived in Catford all her adult life, apart from a stint in Preston to attend the Poly! A lawyer by training, she’s pleased to be able to bring some of legal skills such as looking at contracts, leases and other agreements to Abbotshall. After living on the estate for the last 15 years she wants to see HLC continue to thrive and grow along with the neighbourhood.

She has attended many events at Abbotshall over the years and decided to get more involved as she was coming up to retirement, with the promise of having more time to devote to a local project and with the hope of contributing to community cohesion.

Julia has been looking at the governing documents and some of our existing contracts, with the intention to make sure we continue to maintain a secure foundation. She will also make sure the safeguarding training and paperwork is up to date.

Julia believes that community connections are vital for health, happiness and longevity. We want our neighbours, even in London, to feel like they belong, they know their neighbours, (especially those who are vulnerable by age or disability) and can have fun and learn together in a safe space.

“we want our neighbours to feel like they belong.”

Lauren

Lauren has always worked in sales and partnerships. Key to this is making decision that drive sales for the companies that she works for; as well as ensuring the deals she works on drive profit.

In the summer of 2023, Lauren was building sales projections for the HLC to demonstrate to the Board and our backers that the centre is a viable and going concern. She has rebuilt relationships with many of the former studio hires providing classes at Abbotshall, and recruited new providers for the future.

Lauren says: “I’m here because Abbotshall was instrumental in our decision to buy our house. We came on a wet and miserable Saturday in October. Had a coffee surrounded by shouty kids and muddy football boots and thought “this is going to be a great place for Max to grow up.”

Maria then kept us going in lock down and made us feel part of the community. Delphine has kept us fed and watered and showed us such kindness as a family and of course now Vale is basically part of our furniture… for some reason she loves our chaos! It takes a village to raise a family and Abbotshall is part of my village.

So I am 100% here to get the gates open again for all of you who have made it such a special place as well as for me and my family and the rest of the community who need it.”

“It takes a village to raise a family and Abbotshall is part of my village”

Rob (treasurer)

Rob works as a regulatory compliance consultant, providing advice and assistance to UK financial services firms. He has previously been a school governor and on the management committee of an amateur theatre. He is also on the board of a charity promoting social inclusion for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.

 Rob’s role as the HLC Treasurer is essential to making sure recovery and growth are sustainable, and the centre can manage its finances.

 

Rob lives on the Corbett estate with his wife and two children who have been using the centre since they were born. He says: “I hope that we can help to keep the centre as a place that is welcoming to everyone in the local community.”

“Keep the centre as a place that is welcoming to everyone in the local community”

Serena

Having worked in start-ups, Serena is no stranger to imagining success when there’s no money, everything is broken and it all seems impossible! She recently qualified as an EMCC-accredited Transformational Coach where very much the same skills apply; she helps her clients to define seemingly impossible dreams, visualise them – and then make them happen.

Serena originally stepped in to rescue existing party bookings in the autumn 2023 so parents and children weren’t disappointed, and the HLC didn’t unnecessarily lose money. She then became more involved “just doing what needed to be done” and realised that her start-up and business coaching experiences could be put to use as a Board member.

Serena says: “I’m here because the HLC was a lifeline for me after having both my children. The postnatal exercises were there when I was traumatised from my first birth and felt like my body was completely broken. The second time around I knew I could always come down to Abbotshall for a cup of tea and a friendly chat when life with a baby felt too lonely. The HLC closing down is just not an option on the table for me and as long as there is anything I can do to stop that, it WILL NOT HAPPEN.”

“The HLC closing down is just not an option on the table for me”