Sue collecting a Community Champions Award from the Mayor of Brighton and Hove at our 2020 AGM on behalf of Mike Noble, Chairperson of Friends of Downland Court
This week we say goodbye to our Ageing Well Project Manager Sue Sayers as she retires.
Director of Neighbourhoods Kirsty Walker said this about Sue's time at TDC
"It’s been a privilege to work with Sue for many of her 16 years at TDC and to see all the people who have benefitted from her kind and patient support and her belief in inclusion, especially of those living with dementia.
From family groups in Craven Vale to Older people’s groups in Whitehawk & Woodingdean Sue has touched hundreds of lives and helped people believe in their ability to make change in their community!"
Sue's contribution to TDC's work is immense, but she will probably be best remembered for her work with the Ageing Well Festival and running events and programmes for older people. Tackling isolation and health issues, especially during the Covid pandemic
Community Development Support Worker, Cal Chester said this about working with Sue:
"Sue became my line manager shortly before the first lockdown and remained encouraging, supportive and inspiring throughout which I appreciated tremendously. Sue has done such fantastic work throughout her time at TDC and my very best wishes go to her for future adventures."
As she leaves us, Sue has this to say about her time at TDC
"I have enjoyed working for TDC over the past 16 plus years but it is now the right time for me to retire and hand over the baton for community development work with older people.
From my early days with TDC, working as a neighbourhood worker in Queen’s Park and Craven Vale, then going on to work at Downlands Court, Peacehaven, working with older people in Eastern Road and then at New Larchwood and finally developing our work as a partner in Ageing Well across the Deans and in East Brighton, I found my niche in supporting those over 50 to develop groups and provide activities for older people and those living with dementia.
I am happy to say I am handing the baton on to Claire Burchell, who will oversee older people’s project development in the East with the support of other TDC colleagues.
I would like to thank all those community and neighbourhood volunteers who have helped groups for over 50’s to grow and to flourish. I have enjoyed working with and for you over the years.
I am saying a formal goodbye but I hope you will not mind if I occasionally pop along and see how you are all getting on from time to time and to share memories and plans over a cup of tea."