The Worcester Welcomes committee consists of a group of volunteers drawn from all walks of life but with a single passion, to help people far from home, in a strange land, who have a different language and culture. Together and often working in partnership, we seek to serve and meet the needs of refugees, both families and single people who have arrived from Syrian, Afghanistan and elsewhere. More recently the numbers of asylum seekers housed in Worcester has increased. Many of them are fleeing war zones or areas of conflict others from persecution, religious or otherwise.
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Brian Darwood
Chairman
Brian is married to Kim, with two children and two grandchildren.
Brian moved to Worcester five years ago, taking early retirement from being a founding director and then CEO of Lighthouse Furniture, a furniture and appliance re-use social enterprise. Prior to that he worked for BT for over 30 years in Global Networks in engineering, latterly in Project Management travelling widely in Europe and further afield. Brian’s is also a member of Hope Church Worcester and enjoys walking and the odd pint.
Ruth Coates
Treasurer
For most of her working life Ruth has worked in the charity sector. She is currently the deputy director of operations at a mental health charity.
The charity services are experiencing huge demand in the wake of the pandemic, with sharp rises in mental health issues in children, young people and adults.
Simon Cottingham
Safeguarding Lead
Until recently Simon was CEO of an Advocacy Charity in Warwickshire and has lived in Worcester for the past nine years. Simon is a Community and Youth worker by training and has two grown up children (no grandchildren yet!).
Simon is our Safeguarding Lead, with a wealth of experience supporting vulnerable adults and children.
Chris Russell