Meet the Team
Our Trustees:
Imelda Callowhill | Chair MSc, RGN, RHV
Imelda Callowhill is a Registered General Nurse and Health Visitor by profession. She is the founder of the original Sunflower Support Group set up in 1996 during her role as a Health Visitor under the management of Southend Community Care Trust.
Imelda is passionate about the development of services for children in bringing together education, social and health issues. She is now employed as the Locality Co-ordinator (Southend Trust) for children services. A resident of Southend for over 18 years she has 3 children and feels very lucky on many levels “I like to have the opportunity to give something back and my role is a very small contribution to big picture…It has been a real privilege and a very humbling experience my involvement with the trust.”
Imelda firmly believes that our children are tomorrow’s world and that we have to do everything we can to maximise the quality of life for children with special needs.
Martin Buckley | Secretary BTh
Martin was introduced to the Southend Sunflower Trust in 2006 having had a life time experience with a brother who is severely disabled.
Martin has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to food, having achieved ‘Masterchef’ status and heading the kitchens of the Ritz, no less!
Lynne Flaxman | Trustee
Lynne Flaxman became involved with the Southend Sunflower Trust through Imelda, who she has known for over 20 years. Lynne met Imelda whilst working in the NHS and has held a variety of posts within the health service since 1994. She currently works for NHS Property Services.
Lynne is a mother of two grown-up children and enjoys travelling, musical theatre and watching Southend United play. She has volunteered overseas with El Shaddai Charitable Trust in Northern Goa, India where she was based at a day shelter that provided food, safety and outreach programmes to children living in the slums and on the streets. She has many friends and fond memories from her time living and working in India and now sponsors one of the children that she met whilst over there.
Chris Pryor | Treasurer
Chris Pryor became a Trustee of the Southend Sunflower Trust in 2007 and Treasurer in 2009. Chris has been a resident of Southend for her entire life. She is a grandmother of five – ranging from a one year old to a seventeen year old – and they are all a big part of her life.
Chris became involved with the Southend Sunflower Trust as she wanted to give back some of the happiness that she has been privileged to have with her own children and grandchildren to other families and children that may not have been so fortunate.
In addition to the financial duties Chris holds as Treasurer, another part of her duties are to carry out home visits to applicants and ensure any assistance the Trust is able to give to them is suitable for their requirements before they are ordered and provided. No matter how large or small the request, the support the Trust offers will assist or enrich their life in in some way and this is really rewarding.
Chris thoroughly enjoys her work with the Trust and hopes to continue her involvement for as long as possible!
Our Patrons:
Hermione Norris | Actor
Hermione Norris, acclaimed actor, has been committed to the Southend Sunflower Trust since 1996. Her mother, Mrs Helen Norris is a local health visitor/practitioner.
Hermione has raised substantial funds through her work in television and film contacts. Through Helen’s involvement with the local community she encouraged her daughter to become one of our patrons.
In memory of absent friends...
With thanks to Sir Teddy Taylor and Sue French who were both instrumental in the work of the Trust and have passed away in recent years.
