GOSKA ONG

Goska Ong is the Centre Manager at the St Werburghs Centre. Goska has a Master's Degree in Social Anthropology and specialises in formation and development of cultural places in cities. She also studied Economics and Business Organisation and has experience of managing business at change. Goska understands the challenges of multicultural environment and she manages the Centre’s staff, projects and events. She is dedicated to further development of the Centre and its Members. She is based in the main reception office and you can contact her on manager@stwerburghs.org.uk
 

HEATHER MURRAY

Heather is the full time administrator at St Werburghs Centre. She manages the room booking system and is based at the main reception. She has managed to secure some funding towards the Outdoors Spaces Project and continues to fundraise for the Centre by organising events including a recent Burlesque Party.

Heather was working as Legal Secretary for 10 years, including working for the Ministry of Defence. She's an experienced traveller, enjoys playing the piano and is as a voluntary befriender for older people. Heather also achieved top credits in Access to Health Science (Biochemistry, Physiology & Psychology of Healthcare). You can contact her on heather@stwerburghs.org.uk

ALISON SAUNDERS

Alison Saunders is the Centre Finance Coordinator since 2002 and has over ten years experience of voluntary sector finance management, including both financial and management accounting. She has a range of skills including payroll, VAT, financial policy development, and well developed IT proficiency – she is also trained in full charity accounts preparation and charity independent examinations. Alison has been Capital Project finance manager, and has deputised for Linda Bell, the former Centre Director, in her absence. Alison is also a qualified graphic designer with marketing and publication management experience.
 
 

THE COMMUNITY CENTRE TEAM

Jenna Graves
Jenna started working as an Administrator for the Centre in October 2010. She organised our hugely successful Ceilidh Party in February 2011. Jenna works part time on Thursdays. Jenna also currently works for Trinity Centre, Arts West Side and is also a volunteer for Awaz Utaoh. 

George Gardner
George Gardner is the Caretaker at the Centre and has been working here for 14 years. Before that he worked as a relief caretaker at many Bristol schools and when he retired he joined our team. He has a great understanding of the role and security systems. He works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and manages the premises on Sundays. He likes working with people and gets along with all our members.

Rennie Williams
Rennie Williams is the Cleaner and Caretaker at the centre since 2000. Rennie worked for Cadbury for many years as a packer and cleaner until early retirement in in 2000. During his time at Cadbury he undertook training in COSHH regulations, Safety Awareness, Food Hygiene and Cleaning. Rennie takes pride in his job and enjoys providing our users with a friendly service.

Justin Leslie
Justin has joined our team in 2010 as Monday and Friday evening Caretaker. He has helped us to move back to our newly refurbished premises and his 'hands on' attitude has been invaluable for the organisation during the time of the recent big changes. Known locally for his volunteer community project Occasional Cinema, he has also been involved in a variety of grassroots initiatives offering liaison, research and planning advice.

Naomi Ross
Naomi has been the Finance Worker since Summer 2010, working along side Alison.She has six years experience of working in the voluntary sector in Finance & Administration. She has a range of skills – using different accounting software; Sage, Quick books and MYOB. Also Tax, VAT and payroll skills. Naomi has two years experience in managing budgets and preparing quarterly claims for external funders. Naomi has an AAT Level 2 qualification in Accounting.

Xeena Cooper
Xeena Cooper works as a caretaker and bar tender. Xeena has many creative talents and has run creative workshops for St Werburghs Centre, the arts trails and made decorations for the Burlesque fundraiser.  
 
Julia Gequillana
Julia is a student on the Practical Sustainability Course ran by Shift Bristol at the Centre. She has joined our team recently as a Community Centre Worker and focuses on the day to day maintenance putting her skills into practice! She loves gardening and working with people.
 

COMMUNITY ORGANISERS

Jose Barco Bermudez

Contact Email: 
Jose.Barco@corganiser.org.uk
Twitter id: @JoseBarcoCO

Hello. I'm Colombian, but have been living in Bristol since 2009. I love Bristol and its multicultural diversity, creativity is in the air here, and being a musician I have found much inspiration and support here. In 2011 I was a student on the Shift Bristol Practical Sustainability Course, in which I learned a lot about organic horticulture, climate change, green building etc., also group dynamics,group facilitation,community engagement, reaching consensus and popular education; this course really fuelled in me the desire to be an active agent of change. Towards the end of the course I heard about the Trainee Community Organiser program and decided to apply for it because I believe in the power of community pulling together to achieve its goals, I think we shouldn't continue to expect change without contributing to it ourselves, we all individually are the building blocks of society, we should be the change we want to see.I am thrilled at the prospect of  chatting to people about what they love about their community, their concerns and their plans and ideas to improve their lives at a personal, local and wider level. I am looking forward at working together with them and linking people up, to achieve a better future.
 

Contact Email: 
Nick.Ballard@corganisers.org.uk

I believe passionately in direct, grassroots social and economic democracy; that those who are affected by a given decision must have a real chance to participate in it and who produce the wealth of society are entitled to receive its full benefit.

I hope that my participation the Community Organisers programme will go some small way towards empowering communities to assert themselves politically and economically and to begin to turn society toward acting for the benefit of the many and not simply the few.
 

Contact Email: 
meredith.freeman@corganisers.org.uk 

My varied work history has involved working with children; in a nursing home; as a legal secretary; stacking shelves through the night; teaching English; case coordinating; running my flower stall; conciliating, advocating and volunteering. I have spent the last 15+ years working with individuals to establish what they want to achieve and supporting them towards realizing their aims.

As a Community Organiser, I knock on doors; asking about and listening to people's loves, concerns and visions for the future. The aim is to enable the building of relationships within the community so that shared aims can be discovered and achieved.  I am being trusted with thoughtful replies that often include compassion alongside concerns.

I wonder, what you would say? Food for thought until I knock on your door - or you contact me! 

You can email me or call 07739195009 to arrange a meet.
 

Contact Email: 
louie.herbert@corganisers.org.uk

I started as a trainee community organiser along with the rest of Cohort4 on the 17th of September 2012.

My Background is in 1:1 communication and before being a community organiser I spent six years training street fundraisers. I'm hoping to transfer some of those communication and leadership skills into this role and inspire people to be more active in their community.

I truly believe in peoples power when they act collectively and am looking forward to seeing what projects people in St Werburghs come up with in this next year.

OPPORTUNITIES

St Werburghs Centre is recruiting volunteers to help us with various and exciting projects – Raking & Baking, free gardening and cooking course, photography & co-ordination for the Community Centre's website, energy saving, organising events, including Picnic in the Park and general administration, reception or caretaking tasks.

The Management Committee and Staff of the St Werburghs Centre are fully committed to the recruitment and support of volunteers within our organisation. We hold the belief that volunteers can provide a variety of skills and experience that would not otherwise be available. We also recognise that volunteers require satisfying work and personal development and will seek to help our volunteers to meet these needs.
To find out more please download our Volunteer Policy.

If you would like to get involved and make a difference in your community please contact Goska Ong on 0117 955 1351 or e-mail office@stwerburghs.org.uk

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Yann
Yann is currently working as our office assistant and administrator for 6 months. He has a degree in purchasing and has moved to the UK to study English to help furthur his career in France.

Shahid
Shadid is a local artist and you can see his artwork displayed in the foyer. He is currently assisting with the Outdoor Spaces project, maintaining planters and planning for the next phase of developent.

Zina Baouali
Zina was with us in 2012 us as a full time volunteer for 6 months whilst visiting from France. Zina is a speedy administrator with fantastic English, and studied Social Anthropology. Zina is planning on staying in Bristol after leaving as a volunteer in January. 

Veronica Slukova
Veronica has a strong background in design and town planning, and has interests in DIY and sustainability. Veronica is currently assisting the centre wth administration and new designs. 

Jules Young
Jules was volunteering on our film project in 2009 - 2010. She is a local resident and a film-maker and she made the project happened. Her skills, enthusiasm and local knowledge were invaluable. She worked on documenting the progress of the refurbishment works at St Werburghs Centre and interviewed our members, local residents, architects, contractors and management committee members. You can view our films on you tube

Alex Boden
Alex assisted the Centre every Tuesday last year. He is currently training to be an accountant and was helping the team with administration, design and finance.

There are many more volunteers who help at our events without whom these wouldn't have happened. Thank you all for your continuous support!