About Us
Builth Wells Community Support was established in 1995 and is a registered charity. We aim to provide services which help local people. We have two paid members of staff but otherwise all support is voluntary.
We establish and run schemes to help people live healthy, independent lives within their community.
We recruit, train, place and support volunteers.
We work in partnership with other organisations and statutory authorities.
We act as a focal point for information.
We participate in community events.
Our volunteers can provide help with transport, shopping, writing a letter, collecting prescriptions, and relief for carers.
Staff
Manager - Cathy Warlow
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Administration - Diana Davies
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Committee 2010
Chairman - Yvette Bridgeman
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Vice Chair - Ann Gardiner
My background is varied having lived in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland earning a living in a variety of capacities from Bank Clerk to Dinner Lady and Sales Executive to Housekeeper!
I moved from West London to Llanwrtyd Wells in April 2007 and have not looked back, trading the jets and runways of Heathrow airport for the sheep filled valleys of Wales.
Presently choosing not to work, I am a volunteer in the Community Shop two days a week and thoroughly enjoy meeting and talking with people, getting to know some of the locals and helping people to part with their pennies, all going for an extremely good cause. I volunteer for the Builth Wells Community Support Shop because I believe that charity begins at home and it is good to put something back into your own community and society.
I enjoy cycling and walking, cooking and attending events at the Wyeside Arts Centre.
Treasurer - Ian Phillips
I was born and bred in Brecon, went to Christ College there, and then onto Cardiff to study Dentistry. I finally ended up with my own Dental Practice in Pontypool. I have two daughters, Sophie, who starts at Swansea University this year, and Lucie, who is taking her GCSE’s next summer. They live in Pontypool still with my ex-wife. I took early retirement from dentistry and moved back to Brecon about ten years ago. When my partner found a job in Builth Wells, we decided to move here. Builth has the community spirit that I remember Brecon had in my youth. We were welcomed and made to feel very 'at home'.
My partner, Eironwy, was working in a rented room at Builth Wells Community Support. She suggested that as I was more 'between jobs' and not 'retired', that I think about volunteering as a Driver. (I was obviously enjoying my retirement too much.) It was a good decision as I really enjoy my participation. I now use the office she once had, as Treasurer.
As a Volunteer Driver, I enjoy the friendliness of the people despite their problems. It's amazing how many interesting stories you hear when transporting people, especially of the 'good old days'.
I enjoy being appreciated for what I’m doing. There is a feeling that you are being useful and giving something back to the Community. I have recently joined the Committee as the Treasurer and have become more involved 'behind the scenes'. There is the usual perennial struggle between funding and providing a service. There is always a shortfall to make up and we rely totally on grants, donations & fundraising events and fortunately now, we have the proceeds of the Charity Shop to help.
I am also involved with Builth Wells Rotary Club and the Air Ambulance and try and spend time with my children when possible.
Committee - Sue Seed
A Lancashire lass, I have lived in several places, fetching up in Llanwrtyd Wells 11 years ago. I am married to John who is also a committee member, and we have 3 grown up children and 3 grandchildren (at present).
I spent nearly 30 years working with people with learning disabilities, in both the Health Service and for a Charity. I started as Nursing Assistant, went as a mature student to train as a Registered Nurse (R.N.M.H), and finished as a home manager.
I joined BWCS as a volunteer driver about 9 years ago and was soon inveigled into joining the management committee! I enjoy all aspects of volunteering – driving, monthly outings, office cover, working in the shop and meeting interesting and caring people, and get a sense of satisfaction of helping local people who need our services.
My other interests are my family, of course, reading, gardening, walking, upholstery, and I plod womanfully on in my efforts to learn the welsh language!
Committee - John Seed
I hale from Lancashire and am a member of the management committee. I am married to Sue who is also a committee member. We have 3 grown up children and 3 grand children (watch this space!).
I was a registered nurse, specialising in learning disability for over 20 years, working in Lancashire, Cornwall and Warwickshire. On leaving the NHS from the position of Director of Nursing Services I joined a Charity specialising in community care for the same client group.
On taking early retirement in 1998 and moving to Llanwrtyd Wells I joined BWCS as a volunteer driver, then the Management Committee as a Trustee. I was Chair of BWCS for 6 years up to 2010. I really enjoy meeting and taking people to various hospital appointments. I also help out occasionally covering the office and in the shop. The shop is a new experience for me and what surprises me is that I really enjoy it.
I am also involved in a number of community undertakings in Llanwrtyd Wells, namely the Gardening Club, Bowls Club and recently as a trustee with Llanwrtyd and District Heritage & Arts Centre. The few spare moments I now get, I spend enjoying my grandchildren and history, both local and my specialities of the Roman Imperial period and the Royal Navy of the Napoleonic wars.
Committee - Jonathan Beagley
Most of my working life has been a sort of company doctor. Buying up companies that are performing disastrously or near bankruptcy, turning them around and selling them at a profit. Some 130 companies in all, with running training seminars and business counselling on the side. Mostly I have made profits but occasionally not. So I reckon that I have now made every mistake there is to be made.
Happily retired now. Passions are hill walking, gardening, travel and eating delicious food.
My reasons for working with Builth Community Support are a little mixed. At first it was altruistic in wanting to give back to the community something for the great life that I have had. Then there was the driving to get me out of being too boring and stuck-in-the-mud. But this has all changed to pure enjoyment because of the wonderful people I meet and the wild stories they tell me whilst I am driving them hither and yon. I also hope that I contribute business management and finance skills to the organisation. Really it is I who should say "thank you" to you.
Committee - Judy Davies
I lived and taught in Liverpool for 30 years but came to Builth Wells
nearly every school holiday because my in-laws lived here. My husband
is a "Builth Boy" so when his parents started to need help we decided
to come and live here. Our two children were both in university and we
knew they probably would not come to live back home. We were right.
Our son lives in London and our daughter in Brighton. So we came to
live here fifteen years ago.
I volunteered to drive because I enjoy driving and I thought it was
something I could give back to the community. It has become much more
than just driving. I have met some lovely and interesting people who
have enriched my life.
I used to have hobbies but I now have two beautiful granddaughters who
live in Brighton so not much time for anything else.
Committee - Hugh Garner
Married with three grown up children and six grandchildren. We ran Bristol House stores for thirty five years selling up in November 2008. To occupy time I do school runs for a local taxi firm and hospital or surgery runs for the Community Support Scheme.
I am originally from Bristol and was tranferred here with Nat West Bank and have been in Builth for almost forty years - I think I can apply for citizenship next year!