22 years of Chairship remembered by fellow trustee and friend, Joan McConn

Freda with the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Roy Arora, the Mayoress
and long time supporter Councillor Shiraz Mirza.

Freda  steered LEAH from the early days of chairing meetings of volunteers in the North Kingston Centre old kitchen to overseeing the employment of 6 staff in our own place today.  In fact, both Freda and Jeanette hosted meetings in their own homes for many years too.

Freda was always fully engaged in our work – supporting her own students and everything else that involved: including organising recruitment and training of volunteers, dealing with student referrals; helping run day trips for students and volunteers, and taking along spare clothes or whatever else was needed for children, wrapping presents for the NY Party (how time consuming that was, but always a good way of meeting up with the other volunteers).

Freda with ex trustee Jeanette Hall

Freda has always offered a moderate voice and been very thoughtful in her response to ideas and plans to further LEAH's aims.

Always firm, fair and welcoming to others’ ideas, and excellent at encouraging initiative.

A good listener and delegator, it was as if she followed the maxim “The best way to keep power is to share it, and the best way to influence is to listen”.

I have always thought that Freda seemed to concentrate on getting the basics right.

As anyone who has known her will be aware, she is extremely self-effacing (so much so that finding photographs of her has been difficult!).

Anyway, Freda, I guess that using our talents and leaving a legacy is something we all desire to do and there is no doubt you have succeeded in doing this.

LEAH is a better organisation because of your efforts, and a lovely organisation to be involved in, either as an employee, student, volunteer or trustee.

I am delighted that you have agreed to stay on as a trustee as your knowledge and advice will be invaluable at a time when we are facing many challenges common to voluntary organisations dependent on charity funding.

Freda with Joan at the Guildhall

I am sure I speak for us all when I say it has been a pleasure to know you and work with you and I hope you will find your continuing role as a trustee enjoyable and fulfilling.

Joan McConn

29 January 2016