Meet Our Trustees
Our Playcentre Trustees are a group of Volunteers from the local community who, alongside the our Playcentre Manager give up their time to make decisions on how the Playcentre runs as well as ensuring we meet our stated Charity aims and objectives. They also make a difference to our local community by helping to organise and volunteer at our fundraising events. Between them, our Trustees have a wealth of skills and experience that helps them work towards the ethos and vision we have here at the Playcentre.
We are always looking for new Trustees to join the Playcentre, and you don’t have to be a parent to join us. You could be a member of the local community looking to give something back or just add a new skill to your CV. Our Trustees meet once a month, usually in an evening as well as an AGM In June every year. It isn’t essential that you volunteer at our fundraising events but we can promise you lots of fun if you do. All of our Trustees are DBS checked just like our staff.
If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, please get in touch. If you are more interested in fundraising please see our Events page for more information as to what it is involved.
Catherine Purdie - Chair
Catherine Purdie
I am delighted to be the current incumbent Chair of Trustees for the Community Playcentre at Walberton.
I am Senior HR Professional (Masters in Chartered Institute of Personnel) and experienced Non-Executive Director. I am a qualified and experienced Executive Coach and have an array of experience in key HR fields including performance management, complex employee relations issues, Union engagement and international recruitment gained in both domestic and international commercial and public service settings.
I am a strong communicator with excellent motivational and influencing skills, with a proven commercial understanding.
I am so pleased to be able to support and encourage the Community Playcentre @Walberton team and to be able to assist in realising our ambition that it truly takes a “village to raise a child”.
Toby Hewson
Toby Hewson
My name is Toby Hewson, I have Cerebral Palsy, use a Wheelchair to get around and a Communication Aid to talk, which is quite ironic as I have made a life out of public speaking. I have spoken to MPs in the houses of parliament many times, a room full of people in 10 Downing Street, National and International conferences, as well as meeting many influential and famous people.
Jemma
Jemma
Hi, I’m Jemma and I am an ACCA part-qualified accountant and have worked in numerous areas of finance. I now run a town planning business with my husband.
I joined as a parent trustee in January 2020. I have two boys who both came to the Community Playcentre and absolutely loved it. The staff and management team have always been brilliant and they really supported both my children through their journey here. The Playcentre has given them the best start for primary school and it is lovely to continue being a part of this wonderful team.
Di Rogers
Di Rogers
I am a retired Secondary School Science Teacher and a Granny who regularly looks after my 4 grandchildren. I enjoy singing and am a member of Arun Choral Society. I love cinema, the theatre and reading, being a member of a local book club for 25+years. I try to keep fit by doing Pilates classes twice a week. I am also a Governor of Walberton and Binsted Primary school and regularly attend St. Mary’s Church Walberton. I have also become a Magistrate and now sit as a JP in the Family Courts mainly at Brighton and Worthing. I have been married to Bob Rogers for 43+ years and our three sons all attended Walberton Primary School then Bishop Luffa. As they were all keen sportsmen, I gained a love of cricket and rugby and regularly watch home games for Worthing Raiders and am a member of Arundel Castle Cricket Club where we watch Cricket in the Summer.
Bob Rogers
Bob Rogers
I am a retired Company Finance Director having worked for a small number of SMEs in the publishing industry. I was a Walberton Parish councillor for 10 years and held the position of Finance Officer at a local Charity for the same period. I am a season ticket holder at Brighton & Hove Albion as well as having the interest in ACCC and Worthing RFC. We have lived in Walberton for 30 years. I am the son a of a Wine Merchant and maintain a keen interest in a things “vignoble” and French as we are regular visitors. I am the treasurer of the allotments association and have a keen interest growing and gardening. I spend long winter evenings pursuing philatelic excellence and am a consultant to Oxfam.
