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- IMPACT REPORT | ECAN
We published our first full impact report at the end of 2023, sharing how our charity has grown and evolved since its foundation. We now offer a wide range of services to support the full integration of forcibly displaced people, including drop-in hubs, employment mentoring, practical and material support, as well as group and one-to-one English classes. Impact report We published our first full impact report at the end of 2023, sharing how our charity has grown and evolved since its foundation. We now offer a wide range of services to support the full integration of forcibly displaced people, including drop-in hubs, employment mentoring, practical and material support, as well as group and one-to-one English classes. In a nutshell As at January 2024, we were supporting 276 families from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and other countries. We had 250 ongoing support cases, and delivered our services through our network of 108 volunteers and seven staff members. In 2023 our staff and volunteers: Helped 89 families with support and advice on accommodation Supported 53 families to set up new homes Provided 70 job seekers with one-to-one mentoring Delivered 40 hours of tutoring and homework help every week Mentored 10 young people through our collaboration with St George’s College, Weybridge. Read our full report here Seeing first-hand the incredible work that all the dedicated Elmbridge CAN volunteers and staff do... as well as the positive impact the charity has on enabling people to rebuild their lives, and feel welcome and settled in Elmbridge, is truly amazing. I feel so lucky to be a part of Elmbridge CAN's mission, and thoroughly enjoy my volunteer role. Ayshe
- Nadia's Story | ECAN
Following her flight from Saudi Arabia, Nadia spent seven months living in a small hotel room in Stevenage until she found a host in Elmbridge. Nadia's story There was a moment when, having just arrived in Hersham from Hertfordshire, Nadia wasn’t sure where her next meal was coming from. Following her flight from Saudi Arabia, the 25-year-old had just spent seven months living in a single hotel room in Stevenage and had finally found a host in Elmbridge. However, the host’s work meant there was very little to eat in the house and also, Nadia had mislaid her Home Office Application Registration Card which would have allowed her to claim £9 per week. Add to this that she wasn’t permitted to ask her host for cash (although the host did make a few good suggestions) and Nadia was getting desperate. Someone then suggested contacting Elmbridge CAN. Nadia emailed the charity pleading “I don’t have food, please help me”. “I was freaking out, I didn’t know what to do”, she says. It was at that point that Elmbridge CAN came into Nadia’s life. The next day Jeannie emailed stating that she’d very soon receive a large food box plus a £50 Tesco gift card. “Elmbridge CAN saved me” recalls Nadia. “It’s like when you are so terribly anxious and then suddenly everything gets better. I was showered with kindness. I cannot thank them enough.” There were more food boxes to follow. Another huge box turned up filled with vegetables, pasta and what Nadia calls “general goodness”. More recently Jeannie has been helping Nadia with her Home Office application. As an asylum seeker, Nadia is unable to work, yet she is offering her time free with local hospitality outlets in order to get experience while she is also studying in order to gain qualifications to move on to the next stage in her life. “I just felt Elmbridge CAN had my back” says Nadia. The new-found support meant that Nadia could plan her next move following her escape from the ultra-strict Middle Eastern country.
- NEWSLETTER SIGN UP | ECAN
Find out more about the work of Elmbridge CAN by signing up for our newsletter. Newsletter sign up We send newsletters by email roughly every quarter, to update our supporters on our activities. Occasionally we run an emergency appeal, in which case we would send an additional newsletter focussing on that. You can find all our recent newsletters on our Latest news page . Our pledge to you: We won't bombard you with emails We will keep your data safe and secure We won't share your data without permission You can opt out at any time Newsletter sign up First name* Last name* Email* Subscribe You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by emailing contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform and by clicking the subscribe button, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy policy here . Subject to the above, we will never share your data with third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. For more detail on how we use your data see our privacy policy .
- Jay's Story | ECAN
Jay recounts how she and her family fled Afghanistan under persecution and were given a safe home in Elmbridge. Jay's story Persecuted in Afghanistan for their religion, Jay and her husband had to make the difficult choice to leave their birth country to protect their family. She had no idea that she would end up in the UK. Theirs is a story of a long journey with tragic loss along the way, yet ultimate sanctuary and integration into Elmbridge, where they finally feel safe.
- VOLUNTEER | ECAN
We have a large network of volunteers who come from all walks of life and have different expertise, but they all share a passion to use their skills to support our displaced community. Volunteer We have a large network of volunteers who come from all walks of life and have different expertise, but they all share a passion to use their skills to support our displaced community. We couldn’t do what we do without their help. We want all our volunteers to feel valued and supported and to enjoy the experience. We hold regular volunteer get-togethers and training sessions, and offer support and supervision as needed. Volunteering with Elmbridge CAN and especially Oxana and her family has been incredibly rewarding for me. I have not only developed a great new connection but I also feel a sense of purpose and usefulness in being able to impart my local knowledge and use my network to help such a lovely, hard-working family. Charlotte We are always looking for new volunteers, particularly those who can fill our current vacancies - see list below. If you’re interested in any of these roles, please complete our application form . If your profile doesn’t match any of these roles but you’re enthusiastic and committed, please fill in the form anyway and we’ll be in touch for an informal chat about how you could contribute. We're sorry but we can't generally accept applications from under 18s (except in very limited circumstances where they are accompanied by a parent). Current volunteer vacancies ESOL teachers and subject-specific tutors We're especially in need of volunteer English teachers or classroom assistants to meet the strong demand for English language learning - a key factor in helping our clients integrate and thrive. You don't need teaching experience to be a classroom assistant, as you would be paired up with one of our established teachers. If you're an experienced teacher of GCSE level Maths, English, Science, and/or any A level subjects, we'd also love to hear from you. We would also consider young adult tutors who have recently sat these exams. Community fundraisers Fundraising is always a key priority, so we can remain sustainable and keep supporting as many displaced people as possible, who desperately need our help. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to organise local community fundraisers. This could be anything from bake sales to social events - tell us your ideas and we'll do our best to support you! Handypersons If you have good DIY skills and some time to spare, we'd love to hear from you! We often help people setting up new homes, with practical matters such as building or adapting furniture and putting up curtains. This is a valuable role which makes a real difference to families. Van owners We are always looking for drivers with vans or large vehicles to help with house moves or ad hoc deliveries. Please let us know if this could be you. Employment mentors We are looking for more volunteers to work one-to-one with clients to help them get a foot on the employment ladder. Some of our employment mentors have a background in HR or recruitment but this is not essential; sharing your own experience of the recruitment process is often enough. Translators and interpreters We are always keen to hear from prospective volunteers with knowledge of the main languages spoken by our clients, such as Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto or Dari. Volunteer expenses We recognise that volunteers will incur expenses and we aim to reimburse all reasonable expenses as swiftly and simply as possible, while maintaining adequate controls. To find out more, please read our volunteer expense policy . Elmbridge CAN has made a big difference to me and my family. Many, many thanks to all the volunteers. Oxana
- Elmbridge CAN | positive action for refugees
Elmbridge CAN provides positive action for refugees. We are a community-based, volunteer-powered charity located in Elmbridge, Surrey, UK. Our mission is to welcome and support people fleeing terror in their home countries, enabling them to build a new life in Britain. Welcome We support forcibly displaced people in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge and surrounding area Elmbridge CAN is a community-based, volunteer-powered charity located in Elmbridge, Surrey, UK. Our mission is to welcome and support people fleeing terror in their home countries, enabling them to build a new life in Britain. About us Get help Get involved What's on Find out about our classes to learn English, opportunities to meet people and ways to access our support. Find out more Ukrainian sunflowers Read the inspiring story of three Ukrainian women who set up their own gardening company. Find out more Latest news Here you can read our newsletters and find other interesting and relevant articles and updates. Find out more Make a difference From hosting to donating or volunteering, there are plenty of ways to get involved in Elmbridge. Find out more I’ve met incredible people here who are like angels, and this place feels so safe because of all you do. You never hold back on any help or support. NM
- BECOME A HOST | ECAN
As the war in Ukraine continues, there is still an urgent need for hosts for Ukrainians - including some who are already in Elmbridge. Become a host To date, over 2,000 Surrey residents have opened their homes to a Ukrainian family. As the war continues, there is still an urgent need for hosts for Ukrainians - including some who are already in Elmbridge but need to move on from their current accommodation. Could you or someone you know offer a safe place to stay? Hosting an individual or a family can be enormously rewarding and there is plenty of support available to both hosts and guests (including financial support from Elmbridge Borough Council). If you are considering hosting and would like an informal chat about how it works, please email us on contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk . You would get the chance to meet a prospective guest/s before making any commitment and would be supported through the process. Elmbridge CAN is not directly involved in hosting displaced people of other nationalities, but there are several organisations who specialise in this. See below some links to useful information for prospective hosts (of both Ukrainians and other nationalities). Useful links for prospective hosts Information on hosting Ukrainians for Elmbridge residents Information on hosting Ukrainians if you live elsewhere in Surrey This Surrey County Council guide has lots of useful information for new hosts or Ukrainian nationals who have recently arrived to live in Elmbridge, covering what you need to know in the first few days Hosting Good Practice Guide produced by NAACOM (The No Accommodation Network) Article on Tips for hosts Specialist hosting organisations RESET : a national organisation tasked with helping to match Ukrainians with UK hosts, as well as other work related to resettling forcibly displaced people, for example via the community sponsorship scheme Refugees At Home and Rooms for Refugees : both charities which connect those with a spare room in their home to forcibly displaced people (of any nationality) in need of somewhere to stay Hope at Home : a UK hosting charity specifically for survivors of modern slavery You can also see our Get help section to find out more about the help available from Elmbridge CAN. Tetiana’s and Olena's story “My family consider you part of our family,” Diane says… “we all knew at the beginning that certain things might go wrong but nothing was insoluble and we always talk things through” Read the full story Hosting a family has been so rewarding – from the joyous sight of Peppa Pig on my staircase when our own family ‘baby’ is doing A-Levels, to sharing experiences, food and culture and helping them learn English. Lesia
- HOUSING | ECAN
Information about housing for displaced people in Elmbridge Housing Elmbridge CAN can't provide housing but we can advise you on your options and we can sometimes help you look for accommodation in the private rent sector. For Ukrainians, we can try to 'rematch' you with a new host. Read on for more information. Please note that most of the information below is relevant only if you have permission to remain in the UK. For information about the asylum system in the UK including financial support see Right to Remain . Can I get my own accommodation from the council? Social housing in the UK is in very short supply, especially for larger households, and particularly in Elmbridge as it is an expensive area and there is a shortage of housing. There are very long waiting lists for social housing. If you are in danger of homelessness and are in a priority group where the council has a duty to help you, then they may be able to support you with emergency accommodation. This may be in a bed and breakfast and it may be outside of Elmbridge. You can find out more information including how to apply for social housing on the council’s website here Elmbridge Borough Council - Housing . How can I get my own accommodation? Whether you have children or not, your Universal Credit benefit can include help with rental costs, also known as Housing Benefit. The Housing Benefit allowance was increased in Elmbridge in April 2024. You can check out the local Housing Benefit allowance here . Depending on your circumstances, Elmbridge Borough Council may also be able to help you with finding rental accommodation. See Find a place to live . You can also look at websites like Rightmove for a property to rent. Being in employment can sometimes help with securing accommodation. Finding housing can be hard. It is important to be persistent and not lose hope. Our charity doesn't offer a property search service but if you are homeless or vulnerably housed, Rentstart is a local charity which has a very useful guide to renting privately on low incomes. Rentstart primarily helps people who are not on the council’s priority list, such as single adults without children. In the UK, many younger single people, or couples, form a group with friends to rent accommodation together. See also these useful guides for Ukrainians on how to rent property in the UK in Ukrainian and Russian . Discretionary housing payments available for housing are occasionally available from Elmbridge Council: Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) . For Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme: how can I change my host? We are working closely with Elmbridge Council to help ensure that re-matches can be arranged where there is a priority need for this, for example if there is a medical need or if there is an irreversible breakdown in relationships. Please get in touch with us if you think this might apply to you, by emailing contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk or coming to one of our hubs (see our What’s on page ). There may also be ways that we can help you resolve differences with your original host family.
- GET HELP | ECAN
Help and support for displaced people living in Elmbridge Get help کمک بگیرید احصل على المساعدة отримай допомогу What's on Employment Finance Children Housing Transport Health Volunteer
- FINANCE | ECAN
Information about managing your finances in the UK - covering benefits, council tax, assistance with costs related to children, and other sources of support. Finance This page provides information about managing your finances in the UK - covering benefits, council tax, assistance with costs related to children, and other sources of support. You may also qualify for a small emergency grant from Elmbridge CAN - read on for more details. Please note that most of the information below is only relevant if you have permission to remain in the UK. For information about the UK asylum system, including related financial support, see Right to Remain . UK Benefits System If you have access to public funds in the UK, including if you have refugee status or are here under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and you are on a low income, you can get help from the benefits system. You can find information about how to apply for Universal Credit on this government website: Universal Credit . To get information about what help you might be entitled to, you can use a benefits calculator such as Tackling Financial Insecurity Together or Benefits Calculator . If you don't yet have a UK bank account: If a claimant does not have a bank account at the time they are making a new claim to Universal Credit and if there is no option to say they don't have a bank account, the following steps should be followed: during the new claim add 6 zeros (000000) for the sort code and 8 zeros (00000000) for the bank account number - this will need to be done 4 times to progress the claim. If you are receiving Universal Credit, it is very important to keep them informed of any changes of circumstance you have, such as a new address or a new job. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to get short-term additional help with rental costs from Elmbridge Borough Council through a discretionary housing payment. Information is available on the Elmbridge Council website: Discretionary Housing Payment . Help with Council Tax Council tax is payable on all rented or privately owned houses in the UK. You can find details about how to set up an account on the Elmbridge Council website: Council Tax . Homes for Ukraine Scheme guests are entitled to a 50% discount on their council tax in Elmbridge - you need to let the Council know that you would like to apply for this. All those on low incomes and with recourse to public funds are also able to apply for a council tax discount via the council's website: Council Tax Support . There are also discounts available to all single adult households - you can apply for this via your online account with Elmbridge Borough Council. Additional Sources of Support You can find a list of organisations in Surrey which can help with the cost of living here: Cost of living support . Elmbridge CAN small grants These grants are available on a discretionary basis to forcibly displaced people who are living in Elmbridge and are registered with us. We generally prioritise people with no access to public funds, such as asylum seekers. Grants may be available where there is emergency hardship, or for short-term needs such as school uniform or ESOL class fees. We can also sometimes help with material items such as bikes, and laptops where these are needed for essential study or similar. Please get in touch on contact@elmbridgecan.org.uk if you would like to apply to this fund. Foodbank vouchers These are available via Elmbridge CAN to those in need of short-term help with food and essentials such as toiletries. Please get in touch or visit us at a hub for more information. The Elmbridge Eco Hub They are based in Walton, have a community fridge and often have free food available to collect, as well as providing other items and sources of support . You do not need a referral - just go along. See Elmbridge Eco Hub for more details . Broadband If you are on a low income you may be able to get cheaper broadband through a social tariff. See Ofcom Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages for more details. For general information on how to save money in the UK see Money Saving Expert . Childcare and Costs Relating to Children Universal credit may pay some of your childcare costs when you go to work: Universal Credit childcare costs . Families on a low income may be entitled to free nursery places for two year olds. For more information see: Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds if you claim certain benefits . See Childcare Choices: 15 and 30 hours childcare for more information on government help with childcare costs (15 hours for children aged between nine months and two years, and an additional 15 hours for three and four year olds). Free school meals are available for all children in Reception to Year 2 in a state-maintained school. Free school meals are also available to children on certain qualifying benefits, see Apply for free school meals for how to apply. If your child receives free school meals, then they should also receive some free holiday camp days during the school holidays under the Holiday activities and food programme . Contact your school to ask about this, and speak to Elmbridge CAN if you have any problems. If you have no access to public funds your child may still be able to access free school meals - speak your school to ask, and get in touch with us if you have any problems. School uniforms If you are struggling with the cost of school uniforms, speak to your school in the first instance as they may be able to help you. If they are not able to, please let us know, as we may be able to support you or help you access other sources of support such as The Bridge in Walton or Stripey Stork . Please let us know if you are struggling financially, we may be able to help or refer you to other sources of support.
- TRANSPORT | ECAN
We have created a full guide for you to understand the different transport options in Elmbridge. Transport The public transport network of trains and buses can be confusing for new arrivals to Elmbridge. We have created a full guide for you to understand the different options and help you get around the local area: Public transport information sheet Homes for Ukraine (H4U) temporary bus pass scheme Surrey County Council has worked with bus companies in Surrey to set up this scheme. It offers those who arrived on the H4U scheme a free bus pass for 6 months for travel on their most used bus route. Participating companies include Stagecoach, Compass, Metrobus, Falcon, White Bus and Reptons. Find out more details and how to apply here . Driving in the UK Can I use my driving licence issued by my home country? This government webpage has a tool you can use to see if you can drive in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) on your licence issued by another country. In most cases, you can drive any type of small vehicle (for example cars or motorcycles) listed on your licence for 12 months from when you first arrived in Great Britain. However, Ukrainians (who entered on a Ukraine visa scheme) can continue driving here for three years from arrival. After the end of this period, you will need to either exchange your licence for a UK licence or pass theory and practical tests to acquire a UK licence. Visit this page to find out how to do this. Can I drive my car that I brought with me from another country? Generally you will be allowed to drive your car for up to six months. After that time you must “import” your vehicle which involves registering and taxing it. See this government webpage for more detail on the process. How can I get a UK driving licence? You will need to follow these steps in order to get a UK driving licence. This includes applying for a provisional licence, and passing both a theory test and a practical test. Elmbridge CAN runs driving theory lessons, visit our What’s On page to find out more. We recommend these books to help you pass the theory test: The Official DVSA Highway Code The Official DVSA Guide to Driving There are also various apps which can help, such as the Official DVSA theory test kit. You can buy and download this using these links: App for iOS / Apple App for Android eLearning platform (to use on a tablet, computer or mobile device) Once you are learning to drive, there are videos on YouTube which can help you, such as these: DGN Driving Drive London How expensive is it to run a car? The AA (Automobile Association) has published some useful guidance on the cost of running a car, here . In addition to the cost of buying and maintaining the car, and the cost of fuel, there are various other costs to consider - including tax, insurance and MOT (annual safety check), all of which are mandatory in the UK. Oxshott Care This local charity arranges lifts for Oxshott residents to medical appointments. They may be able to help with lifts to other important appointments, and with shopping and picking up prescriptions. See their website for more details or call them on 07950 478329 (phone line open from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. You can also leave a message).
- OUR TEAM | ECAN
Our small staff team supports and underpins the work of our volunteers. Our team Our volunteers are - and always have been - the lifeblood of our organisation. We rely heavily on our team of nearly 100 talented volunteers, who come from all walks of life and bring diverse skills and experience. Since 2022 we have built a small staff team to support and underpin the work of our volunteers, most of whom work part-time. They are guided by a strong and committed trustee board. Our staff team Co-director Jeannie Tweedie Jeannie co-founded Elmbridge CAN in 2016 in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Her goal was to bring local people together to help - based on common humanity. Elmbridge CAN has since grown exponentially. Jeannie is driven and energised by the support she and the team have offered to displaced people and by the feeling that the Elmbridge CAN is making a tangible difference to real lives. Before starting Elmbridge CAN, Jeannie worked in project management, administration and events, and as a pre-school teacher. She holds a degree in History and Politics and a Masters in Refugee Care. Service Delivery Manager Florendia Buckingham Florendia has a diverse professional background, including 13 years as an IT project manager at PwC, followed by roles as a photographer and videographer, and as a trauma-informed yoga teacher. As a child, Florendia experienced first-hand the Cyprus/Turkey conflict, which led her to volunteer in Calais, following which she joined Elmbridge CAN as a volunteer in 2020. Her role expanded significantly to support operations and activities during the influx of Afghan and Ukrainian arrivals and she has helped to build a sustainable infrastructure for our fast-growing charity. Florendia is passionate about promoting wellbeing and fostering healthy conversations about displaced people within the community. Materials Co-ordinator Sarah Nuttall Sarah was our first staff member, joining Elmbridge CAN as our Volunteer Co-ordinator in early 2022. In May 2025 Sarah stepped into a different role as our Materials Co-ordinator, organising donations of material items such as furniture, sourcing electronic devices including laptops and helping clients move to new homes. Sarah had a successful career in project and contract management with London Underground before switching to the community and charity sector, working for the Co-op before joining Elmbridge CAN. Ukrainian Integration Worker Olga Gaieva Olga is а Ukrainian citizen who relocated to the UK from Kyiv at the start of the war. Before working at Elmbridge CAN she volunteered at The Lighthouse in Woking as a member of the Ukrainian Welcome team, and at Wandsworth Food Bank. Olga is also an administrator at St Mary's Ukrainian School in Woking. She has wealth of experience in running her own craft business which she started in Ukraine, and continues developing in the UK. Olga is deeply inspired by the possibilities and importance relating to the integration of Ukrainians into our local community, and dedicates herself to supporting individuals and families on this journey. Co-director Melissa Day Melissa holds a degree in Modern Languages and is qualified as a solicitor, having trained and practised in a large City law firm, specialising in Family Law. She took a career break following the birth of her second child which included living in Spain for five years. Melissa is passionate about volunteering in the community and joined Elmbridge CAN as a volunteer in its early days, became a trustee in 2020, and finally took up her current role as co-director (in a job share with Jeannie) in September 2022. Melissa previously volunteered as a trustee at Citizens Advice. Programme Co-ordinator Charlotte Takla As Programme Coordinator, Charlotte works closely with our community partners to meet the education and employment needs of our supported families. She previously supported Elmbridge CAN for two years as a volunteer, having been introduced by a Homes for Ukraine host who had benefited from the charity's support. Since leaving a corporate career in Telecoms to bring up her family, Charlotte has volunteered for local children's charities and schools with an emphasis on fundraising and education initiatives. Arabic-speaking Integration Worker Huda Farran Huda is a Saudi citizen who was born and raised in Jeddah. A native Arabic speaker, she began volunteering at Elmbridge CAN with families who had arrived on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (which closed to new arrivals in 2020). Since 2022 Huda has been employed by the charity as our Arabic-speaking integration worker, initially in a role funded by Elmbridge Borough Council to support the Syrian families on their path to becoming fully integrated and independent. More recently, Huda’s responsibilities have expanded and she has used her experience to help clients of various other nationalities, especially but not limited to Arabic speakers. Ukrainian Integration Worker Olena Dykalo Olena arrived to live in the UK shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has since devoted herself to supporting other Ukrainians in need. Since autumn 2024, Olena has worked full-time at Elmbridge CAN, where her strong communication and interpersonal skills - as well as her commitment and determination - are highly valued, enabling her to provide fast and effective assistance for Ukrainian families and individuals. Olena is a Master of Sports in fencing with over a decade of experience as a children's fencing coach in Ukraine. Our trustees Chair of Trustees Suzy Mellor Suzy combines her role as Chair of Elmbridge CAN with active volunteering projects. She has been a volunteer since 2020 and our Chair since 2023. Suzy is motivated by the strength and resilience of displaced people and their contributions to our local community. In particular, she loves working with the children of the families we support. As a leadership and management consultant, Suzy brings experience in team development. Throughout her career, she has worked as a senior manager in the technology sector in Europe and the Asia Pacific. She holds an MSc in Human Resource Management and Organisations from the London School of Economics. Suzy lives in Elmbridge with her husband and two teenage children. Trustee Hannah Addison Hannah has been involved with Elmbridge CAN since 2020 as an ESOL volunteer and joined the trustee board in 2022. She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work and a background in the charity and public sectors setting up community projects and working with communities, families and young people. Hannah is a qualified ESOL teacher and enjoys teaching English to the families supported by Elmbridge CAN. Hannah works as a Pilates teacher and is co-director of a local studio, specialising in movement and strength work for women aged 40 and over. Trustee Tom Citroen Tom has been a professional fundraiser for 16 years, beginning his career as a face-to-face fundraiser for Greenpeace. He has since held roles at charities including Friends of the Earth, the Disasters Emergency Committee, and Barts Charity. Specialising in major gifts fundraising, Tom currently works as a Senior Philanthropy Manager at Save the Children. A resident of Elmbridge for the past six years, Tom became involved with Elmbridge CAN in 2021, inspired by the charity’s work with local families evacuated from Afghanistan. He is passionate about helping secure the funding needed to support Elmbridge CAN’s work and feels privileged to be part of such an inspirational team. Deputy Chair of Trustees Stephanie de Sarandy Stephanie has run her own leadership consultancy for 15 years and prior to that worked in numerous HR roles in the tech and finance sectors . She is a qualified executive coach and has worked with several charities including Save the Children , Water Aid and the Kings Fund . She brings all this experience together with a passion for equality, human rights and a fairer world to the trustee role. Trustee Jon Carr Bio coming soon. Trustee Nurettin Sevi Nurettin has been an active volunteer of Elmbridge CAN since 2017. Having personally navigated the asylum seeker and refugee processes, Nurettin brings valuable insights and experiences that deeply inform his advocacy work. With over 20 years of project management experience in defence operations and IT, Nurettin possesses strong skills in leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and optimising processes. He combines this professional expertise with a personal understanding of the challenges faced by displaced people. Nurettin holds Masters degrees in Management & Leadership and National & International Security Strategy, equipping him to help drive impactful initiatives at Elmbridge CAN.