Trustees
Our trustees have oversight of all the charity’s decisions and help steer us to our mission statement which is; “To work together with people with Learning Disabilities to provide high quality care and support services to help people achieve their full potential.”
Meet our trustees
Ian Salter
Chair of Trustees / CQC Nominated Individual
I have been involved with Stroud & District Homes for over 17 years and have been chair since 2018. I have been working with adults with learning disabilities for 41 years in a range of settings but predominantly with the provision of Residential and Supported Living.
I had my own award winning care organisation for 15 years. I have been actively involved with other charities in the area and also own a Gym in Swindon. I am used to liaising with Local authorities and have actively supported Stroud Homes to develop their service and reputation.
I live in Cheltenham and am the father of 2 grown up sons.
In my time with the organisation, I have seen it grow in size and Quality and I am very proud to be part of the leadership of such a caring and client centred charity.
Carol Gilbert
Deputy Chair of Trustees
I have personally been involved with ‘Stroud Homes’ as it is now known for 35 years and have been privileged to see the Homes develop and offer a caring, supportive, happy and homely environment and for all the service users to lead an independent life supported by devoted staff.
I have over 40 years’ experience working with people with learning and physical disabilities. I have spent time within Social Services in Adult Training Centres covering Further Education and preparing service users with life skills to live independently with others in a house. I then moved on to teaching in both SEN schools and further education as well as working at day care facilities where I was instrumental in setting up respite facilities.
The last ten working years I spent with the Shaw Trust setting up two projects in SEN schools preparing students for work experience and employment on leaving school. The role involved ensuring companies supported disabilities in the workplace. I also trained staff across the county to implement the programme in other schools.
I was involved in Handicare, a scheme to offer parents short breaks for young people with learning disabilities. I then entered into fostering ‘long term’ special needs young adults over a period of 25 years.
It has been a privilege to have shared the times spent in so many different areas with people from adolescence to adulthood with disabilities.
Andrew Mirkovic
Trustee
My involvement with Stroud Homes came about because of my younger sister.
My sister came to live at Cotswold Court around 20 years ago. Initially, this was a difficult decision for my parents to let their daughter move out of the family home to Cotswold Court. However, it became noticeable the impact the move to Cotswold Court had on my sister; all of which was positive. Subsequently, this gave my parents and my family the much-needed peace of mind that she was and still is being supported in a very professional and caring way.
I was invited to become a trustee in 2018. Since joining, this has given me the opportunity to understand the challenges Stroud Homes encounters as an organisation in providing care. As a Guardian for my sister, it was not obvious the work Stroud Homes staff undertook to ensure that the wellbeing of the service users is being met.
David Drew
Trustee
David lives locally in Stonehouse and has long been associated with Stroud and District Homes Foundation even officially opening Cotswold Court in 2002. David currently represents Stroud Central on Gloucestershire County Council. David has a wealth of experience that is invaluable to SDHFL. He was formerly MP for the Stroud Constituency, Chair of Forest Green Rovers Football Club, Trustee of Marah and Patron of Allsorts and GARAS, as well as a proud Father and grandfather.
Rosemary Gadd
Trustee
I am a retired district nurse, living in Cam, Dursley, and I have been a member of Mencap since my son was born in 1962.
I became involved in our Homes after Barn Lodge was purchased, so became appeal secretary for the Gables project, and following on from that, appeal secretary for the Cotswold Grange project. This wasan enormous challenge but somehow we managed it, and our homes have gone from strength to strength.
My son was one of the first residents of the Gables, and I am forever thankful for the security that he is safely taken care of in a lovely environment, with caring staff. I am very proud of our homes, and what we have achieved from very humble beginnings
Richard Stone
Trustee
Hi, my name is Richard Stone. My parents helped set up Stroud Mencap with other likeminded parents to provide a home for life for my brother Peter and others like him. This was back in the early 1980’s and started with just one home. We have come a long way since then and now have seven homes. I am proud to continue the work started by that first group of parents concerned for the wellbeing of their children. Since then, Stroud and District Homes Foundation has been formed to facilitate our ever-growing needs. I am currently on the Board of both Stroud Mencap and SDHF.
Chas Townley
Trustee
Chas Townley is a retired Housing Manager who has worked for local authorities and housing associations for over 30 years. This included managing the commissioning of specialist housing support services including services for people with an intellectual disability.
Chas lives in Gloucestershire and is a keen walker and local historian and has previously served as a District and Town Councillor for Stroud.
Jennie Trotman
Trustee
I am a retired book-keeper and former Stroud Mencap committee member. Our daughter came to live at Barn Lodge several years ago which was a very positive move for her and, gave us much needed peace of mind that she is being supported in a very professional and caring way to be as independent as possible.
I was kindly invited to become a trustee last year and I see this as an opportunity to give my support and offer up any ideas which may further enhance the lives of our residents.
Some of the things our trustees are responsible for
- We make sure that the charity does what it is meant to do
- We ensure the Charity follows its mission statement & policies
- We make decisions to do what is best for the charity
- We have regular board meetings to keep us up to date
- We support the managers to provide a good quality service to you
- We make sure the charity satisfies the requirements of the Care Quality Commission
- We make sure the charity satisfies the requirements of the local authority (GCC)
- We employ Sabrina & Kate and support them with decisions
- We make final decisions about charity money and where it is best spent
- We will visit you once a year to see if you are happy with everything and help you with any concerns or problems you might have
What our staff say
The Gables has been a part of my life for a very long time, I have a great rapport with the residents here. I enjoy supporting and helping them in their everyday activities.
Daryl
I have worked for Stroud Homes for a number of years now and really enjoy my job. No two days are the same and it is a very rewarding role.
Grace Ashton
Working with vulnerable service users and learning how it feels to be a support worker was the best choice I ever made.
J. kirkup
l am proud to be a part of an organisation that constantly seeks ways to enhance the lives of the people who lives in the homes, as well as the staff.
James Bealing
I have spent my whole career in the health and social care sector and particularly like supporting people with learning disabilities. The job has its lighter moments and is challenging at time but I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.
Tony McGee
In the years I have worked for Stroud and District Homes Foundation, I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting and working with the service users and their families.
Luke
What I feel makes the organisation truly amazing is their dedication to staff and service users and I have enjoyed various holidays, day trips, concerts, and events with service users over the years.
Lettie Elgharbawy
My colleagues have been amazing and so welcoming, I have worked in several of the homes and every home has been so different which is what I have needed.
Aston Butler
Working for the company was a large part of my life which I enjoyed very much. The guys will always remain very special to me.
Julia
For me to be with SDHF so long comes down to the service users, knowing you make a difference to somebody else day no matter how big or small that maybe.
Laura Bradley
I’ve built up a really good relationship with them all and I take pride in being able to come to work, knowing that I’m doing my job to the best of my ability and helping to enrich their lives.
Ami
I have thoroughly been a part of the SDHF team over the last 7 years. I started as a support worker across two homes and appreciated the flexibility of the position enabling me to complete my NVQ5 at university.
Gemma Mould
SDHFL is a wonderful organisation to work for. The commitment to the welfare of service users foremost but also staff is obvious. Working for a charity that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of vulnerable adults rather than profit focused is personally rewarding.
Kate