Josanne Stewart: Our new Chief Executive for Millfields Trust
The biggest news we have to share is from Josanne Stewart who has been appointed the new Chief Executive for the Trust – leaving behind her previous position as Development Manager at Millfields Inspired. Josanne has been a huge part of the Millfields family for over eight years and we all look forward to seeing what she achieves in 2023 and beyond.
From Josanne…
“One of the greatest gifts for someone stepping into the role of Chief Executive is having a strong team and a dedicated board of directors behind them. And thankfully, I have both. I want to personally thank Louise Bisson for keeping us on track as interim Chief Executive since June, ensuring our current programmes continue to move forward. Huge thanks to Louise and I’m delighted to say that she is taking on the role of Deputy Chief Executive, so a warm welcome to Louise in this role.
I believe Stonehouse is the jewel in Plymouth’s crown and I’ll be working hard with the team, our neighbours, our community, our business partners and the rest of the key players in the City to prove this!
The Trust has achieved many great things over the last 23 years and my wish is to help it achieve more in the years to come. It’s an exciting time for the Millfields family but as we all know, we are living in a difficult economic climate at present, so I know the role will not be without its challenges.
With that being said we’re still busy making plans and moving forward with two very prominent projects on the horizon. Firstly, the Famous Firkin which you can read about here in this newsletter and secondly Block D, our huge and exciting building development that you will hear more about in the months to follow.”
What we’ve been up to…
This summer has been a busy one for Millfields. Starting with our Widening Horizons Program which oversaw the Cathedral School of St Mary year 5 children’s day trip to Cattewater Harbour Commissioners and subsequent outing with Plymouth Boat Trips. We also participated in Nash & Co solicitors’ ‘Empowering Women Networking Event’ where Trevi House‘s Chief Executive, Hannah Shead, gave a talk about women’s recovery and healing.
What really marked the end of summer however, was our fond farewell to Millfields’ CEO Roger after 23 years of dedicated service to the people of Stonehouse. Guests and team members from Millfields Trust gathered in the Jolly Jacks to celebrate Roger’s contribution to the community and wish him the best on his next ventures. Thanks Roger!
As for some exciting news on the horizon, we bought a pub! The Famous Firkin is going to receive a huge and much needed makeover. With all the formalities done and dusted, we expect the pub to start refurbishment in 2023.
We will soon advertise opportunities for volunteers to facilitate activities and events as well as a community share offer to help purchase the pub. Watch this space!
Upcoming Events: The opportunities on offer are endless this Autumn!
Plymouth Social Enterprise – City Festival
In the week commencing 16th November, Plymouth Social Enterprise Network is holding festivities. Some of the activities for the week include the popular return of social enterprise quiz night, conversations to ‘shake up’ the common practices of social development and other exciting PSEN led happenings.
More information about the Festival here.
The Festival team would love for you to be involved and are actively seeking projects, groups or organisations that have consistently adapted to our rapidly changing conditions to run workshops, events, talks or participatory sessions. This could be anything from a 1-hour event to a half-day workshop.
If you are planning any events around these dates and would like to be included under the wider festival programme, please let the team know via email
Millfields Trust AGM 2022 – 16th November
On Wednesday 16th November, during the Social Enterprise Week, Millfields Trust will hold its 2022 AGM at HQ Business Centre from 6:30pm in the Taylor Suite. In collaboration with the British Art show which is being hosted in Plymouth, we are delighted to announce this years’ guest speakers are Donna Howard, Executive Director of Karst and Victoria Pomery, Chief Executive Officer of The Box.
Further information on the British Art Show can be found here.
We look forward to welcoming all to this open event.
More details and tickets available here.
Plymouth named as a Social Enterprise City
Plymouth has just been formally accredited as a Social Enterprise Place by Social Enterprise UK alongside Norwich and Sheffield. Since being named the country’s first Social Enterprise City in 2013, Plymouth has become home of 200 social enterprises which employ 9,100 people and bring up to £580 million into the economy annually. Plymouth’s new title only reinforces the city’s commitment to continue developing as a hotspot for a fairer, greener and more inclusive place to do business.
Plymouth has notably detailed a three-year plan to develop social enterprise to boost various areas of the local community including engaging with the wider private sector, working with universities and creating awareness raising campaigns. This title comes at the right time to face the cost of living crisis and the fallout of the pandemic as Plymouth invests more than ever in reducing inequalities, creating jobs and working to protect the environment. Read more here.
Millfields Inspired Roundup
Each month we will bring you highlights from the Millfields Inspired Team as they take children from Stonehouse and Devonport schools to a variety of businesses and organisations who are part of the Widening Horizons Programme. Here is a round-up of some of the activities the local children have been enjoying.
The year 5 children from Millbay Academy were treated to a tour of the Unwrapped House with Peter Tannian, a treasure hunt in the garden with Steve Warren-Brown at YGS Landscapes Ltd, a design your ideal room workshop with Aisha O’Reed and Josh Harris, and a paving workshop with Danny and Sean from Sherford Skills Training Scheme. This experience allowed the children to understand the variety of opportunities and careers available in the construction industry through a series of interactive activities.
Now in a different setting but equally as fascinating, the year 5 children from Mount Wise Primary school visited the National Marine Aquarium. The tour, guided by George, enabled the children to explore the deep ocean using VR headsets, be scientists investigating the harm plastic in the ocean can cause, and meet with many interesting people who work at the aquarium.
Thanks to the student Doctors from the University of Plymouth, the year 5 children from Malborough Primary Academy got to learn about the human body’s anatomy, the importance of hand washing and the contents of a doctor’s bag! The children were immediately engaged and were confident enough to ask all their relevant questions!
Photos by: Summit Imagery and Established By Her Marketing