As a charity, we have a volunteer board of trustees who bring their own individual areas of expertise to benefit the organisation. The current board comprises: Derek Lum (Chair); Irena Sobolewska (Vice-Chair); Tony Aston, Anna Krauss and Ruth Houghton. Among the many skills they have are: financial management; charity governance; staff development; performance management; local government, disability service development and adult social care.
In 2019, our founder and former trustee Donna Werner was named our honorary president.
The Trustees work closely with the executive management team (EMT) on the strategic direction of the business. They coordinate and attend quarterly board meetings, through which they review the work of the charity and provide advice, support and focus attention onto the areas that the EMT needs to consider and prepare for.
The Trustees work on a voluntary capacity for the benefit of the charity, this usually equates to one day per month.
Currently, we are particularly interested in hearing from people with financial and/or legal experience and expertise.
Ruth Houghton
Ruth Houghton was born and educated in Shropshire and has lived here for most of her life. Ruth retired in December 2016 from a successful career in adult social care at Shropshire Council where her responsibilities included commissioning services for adults with learning disabilities and developing supported living services throughout the County. Ruth has a BA in Business Administration and an MA in Gerontology. Since retiring, Ruth enjoys travelling, undertaking voluntary work in her local community and serving as a local councillor.
Derek Lum
Chair
Derek joined the Bethphage board in 2002, becoming Chair in 2004. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering Derek has over 35 years’ experience in industry and commerce as a director of private and public listed companies including Managing Director and Group Finance Director roles.
Irena Sobolewska
Irena joined the Bethphage board in 2001, becoming Vice-chair in 2004. With a Masters in Business Administration, Irena has over 30 years’ experience in the private, public and not for profit sectors as a leadership coach and organisational change consultant. Having sold her business in 2013, Irena now spends her time volunteering for Bethphage and other organisations.
Honorary President- Donna Werner
Donna established Bethphage in 1994 having travelled from Bethphage (now Mosaic) in the US to undertake preliminary studies with Shropshire Health and Social Services on the provision of transition services for people then living in long stay hospitals.
In 2019, on our 25th birthday, Donna was named honorary president. Donna brings outstanding commitment to the mission, vision and values of Bethphage. She has a wealth of experience having been both CEO of Bethphage and later, from 2004 to 2016, serving as a trustee. In addition to her work with Bethphage, Donna was Senior Vice President of Advocacy for Mosaic in Omaha.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.”
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Latest Bethphage News
Once Upon an Eglantyne: Celebrating Eglantyne Jebb
Our Space Community Centre & Library recently celebrated the launch of Sally Poynton’s booklet ‘Eglantyne.’ The event honoured the inspiring life of Eglantyne Jebb, co-founder of Save the Children, and commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. The community came together to celebrate Eglantyne’s remarkable legacy.
Happy Birthday Bethphage
On this day, 30 years ago, (September 26th, 1994) Bethphage was officially founded in the UK. We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone and have been reflecting on our beginnings and the journey that has shaped us into the organisation we are today.
Upcoming Book Launch: Celebrating the Life of Eglantyne Jebb
Join us on Saturday, 28th September from 10am to 1pm at Our Space Hub and Library for a special drop-in book launch event for the new book, EGLANTYNE celebrating the remarkable life of Eglantyne Jebb, born in Ellesmere and co-founder of Save the Children.
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