Trustees play a vital role, volunteering their time to support and steer the direction of our charity. We’ve taken a moment to get to know a little more about Richard and Nigel, who are the latest additions to the board.

Meet Richard Osborne

“I’ve recently retired after 36 years working in social housing. Pre-retirement I led on delivering estate regeneration, large scale property refurbishment, property repair and health and safety for one of the Midland’s largest housing organisations. I’ve been fortunate enough to serve on a variety of boards and committees in the past and am delighted to now be helping support and grow the excellent work that Emmaus does in providing homes, skills and opportunity for people.

I became a trustee because I’ve served on Boards and Committees before; sometimes because I was asked to, other times because I wanted to help support and safeguard something that was giving benefit and pleasure to people, but was reliant on the work of volunteers to keep doing so. For me its about investing in the benefits of community, whether that’s a sports team, a school, residential area, or a band of former homeless people living, working and growing together. Communities thrive when they’re invested in and die if not. I’m a trustee simply because Emmaus is all about the value of community in making a difference to lives and that’s got to be worth a bit of my time to help protect and develop hasn’t it?”

Meet Nigel Bellamy

“I’m an ex-Coventry Council technical engineer and was an SME owner for 17 years, working with Whitefriars, ToysRUs, HM Prison service, Frankie and Benny’s. I have volunteered for Guide Dogs for the Blind as chair of fundraising for Coventry (now retired) and I’m also a retired primary school governor of 8 years, responsible for finance and resources.

I decided to become a trustee of Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire because I did a charity sleepout in 2019 and it left a lasting impression on me as I tried to stay warm and dry during one of the heaviest downpours in Coventry that year.  I appreciate having the opportunity to offer my varied skillset; to help provide a nurturing environment and develop an enterprise that will help many people over the years to come was really a no brainer. My favourate quote is “it’s every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it” (Albert Einstein) and to know I will make a difference both in my day-to-day work and to be able to volunteer at Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire fills me with happiness.”

You can read about our full team of trustees here.