Sue to Leave a Wonderful Legacy at Nomad
Sue Prior, the Youth & Family Support and Funding Coordinator at Nomad Henley will be leaving the charity after 21 years to move to Devon.
The announcement was made at the charity’s AGM on Monday this week, by Tim Prior Youth & Families Team Manager, (Sue’s son) saying, “She’s been inspirational to me. Nomad is not just a job but a lifestyle. I’m incredibly proud what she has achieved and the legacy she is leaving.”
A video tribute was shown to the attendees of the AGM which included young people who Sue had helped and supported over the years. Sue talked about her memorable moments which were both high and low and included being at the birth of a baby to a single Mum who had no one else to go with, her first residential with 12 of the worst behaved children and stopping the girls trying to escape out of a window at night, breaking up a fight on a coach and having to sit on one of the perpetrators and taking a young person to University this year. She said, “It’s been an incredible honour and privilege to serve the local community. It has been such a diverse group of people who have kept me young and fit. I just love the job and the people.”
Gillotts School Headteacher, Catharine Darnton then spoke about Sue. She said, “Sue means so many things to so many people. I pay tribute to the work Sue does with parents and making that connection. Her flexibility means she’s always looking where the need is. Her patience is absolutely phenomenal with young people as it may be 2, 5, 10 years afterwards that you reap the rewards. Sue is ever the diplomat for parents who are not big fans of the school. She is amazing in her trust in our approach and working alongside us. You can’t put a value on that. Thank you for giving us Tim, an achievement to recognise which will give us continuity. Every town needs a Nomad, we’re so grateful and thank you Sue for the last 21 years.”
Sue was recognised for her charity work by winning the Herald’s Charity Champion in 2018.
The charity also presented an update on their financials and their work over the last year.
Between April 2020 and March 2021 Nomad distributed 2712 bags of food to local families and individuals (219%) increase in the previous financial year. The need for food is rising again and they see a hard winter ahead. Tim thanked all the churches, schools and organisations who had donated food items for Harvest again this year which were distributed over half term.
Thanks to the generosity of the several local trusts and individual donations Nomad were able to purchase a low mileage VW Transporter which has already proved its worth in transporting groups of young people and families on activities over the summer as well as collecting and delivering food across the area.
Last Christmas Nomad partnered with the Gary Boys (DJ One Deck), Bagatelle toys and the Herald to raise money for Christmas presents for 50 families.
Through the lockdowns they created some family creative and bake challenges which included Tower of Power (building a tower with marshmallows and spaghetti), blowing the biggest bubble gum bubble, cooking flapjacks, making pin wheels and artistic pancakes.”
In the charity’s 25th year, they targeted themselves to raise £25,000 which they’ve nearly hit through an ergo rowing challenge across the English Channel (25 miles), a sponsored walk and an anniversary fundraising dinner.
Over the summer, the charity took young people out on days out to enjoy white water rafting, paddle boarding, bike riding, Go Ape, safari park, forest segway and to the beach.
