Cotswold Friends staff, volunteers and clients were sad to say goodbye to Sheryl Murray yesterday, our fantastic Volunteer and Men-in-Sheds Manager. Sheryl has been with Cotswold Friends since 2016 and has done an amazing job recruiting and managing our volunteers, as well as developing the Community Activities Programme and fundraising in the local Community. One of the achievements Sheryl is most proud of is the Men-in-Sheds project, with three sheds successfully up and running in Moreton, Bourton and Northleach. The camaraderie of the sheds has changed the lives of many local men (and ladies!) with shedders making new friends and learning new skills. Sheryl is planning to spend more time with her family and pursuing her hobbies including making glass pictures - for which she is already developing her very own ‘She-Shed’ in her garden! Thank you Sheryl from all of us and good luck for the future.

Sheryl told us, “This crazy few months of ‘lockdown’ has really brought home to me how precious life is and the importance of actually getting around to doing all those things that really bring you joy. When we are busy working we can sometimes take for granted that we can put things off for another day and overlook the importance of spending time with your loved ones. With all that in mind, I have made a huge decision to change my life and to leave Cotswold Friends. It was a tough decision for me and one that is bitter sweet. I have truely loved my time with the charity and will be forever proud of being part of a great team who work hard to help others in the community. I have learned so very much over the years and feel honoured to have played a part in all the great work the charity does and feel privileged to have helped, however small, in so many people’s lives.

I would like to thank Amanda Howard CEO and the Trustees for giving me such a great opportunity, every volunteer, for all your hard work, all our clients whom it has been an honour to support and also the team for all their help and support during an amazing time with the charity. I hand the reigns to Georgina Halling, the new Volunteer Manager and to Rob Platts, the new Men in Sheds Project Worker. I wish you both all the very best in your new roles, I know you will love and enjoy every single minute. I will still play a small part in the charity as I be helping as a Lead Volunteer at MIS in Moreton. I very much look forward to seeing all the lovely shedders very soon. Thank you Cotswold Friends for an amazing time - it’s been an absolute blast!”