Meet the Trustees

Our trustees set the vision, priorities and values for our work. Pulling together insights from the everyday operations, they are tasked to think strategically to steer the course of the charity both now and into the future. Their responsibility of governance includes handling of finances, safeguarding, health & safety, and the various aspects that affect staff and volunteers. The trustees take an active role in authoring policies, role descriptions, and monitoring the efficiency and effectiveness of operations across the whole area of our work.  Our trustees put foodbank users at the heart of everything they do.

Stephen Greenish

Stephen is the chair of trustees.  Stephen moved to Ely in 2014 having spent the previous sixteen years running a school in Lincolnshire. Although now semi-retired Stephen continues to teach on a part-time basis. He enjoys running as a means of keeping fit and also walking his dog. Stephen is married with two children and one grand-child. He has previously served as a trustee and governor of a school in Norfolk. Stephen became a trustee in 2022.

Reena Appadoo

Reena moved to East Anglia from the Midlands over 20 years ago when she got engaged and started working at Cambridge City Council and has lived here since making it her home with her husband.  She has spent a career working in the fields of safety and security in both the public and private sectors and passionately believes in putting people’s needs and duty of care at the heart of what she does.  Reena volunteers as a School Governor.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her close family and friends, experimenting in the kitchen and Mauritian sega dancing!  Reena became a trustee in 2024.

Caroline Barnes

Caroline is the vice chair of trustees.  Caroline lives in Manea and is a volunteer at the March food distribution sessions. Caroline is an ex headteacher and much of her working life has involved supporting vulnerable children and families. Caroline and her husband Chris have two grown up sons and three granddaughters. Caroline became a trustee in 2020.

Stephanie Baxter

Stephanie has a strong background in social policy and is an advocate on issues around poverty and inequality. She works in housing policy and community engagement in the public sector with a passion for empowering people through the medium of Community Led Housing models. Stephanie is a practising Christian of the Baptist denomination with lived experience of poverty and the challenges single parents face. This led her to set up a community ‘Cookery Club’ at her Church for local people. This was well received but paused due to Covid. In her spare time, she enjoys music and gardening. Stephanie became a trustee in 2021.

Tabitha Griffin

Tabitha has worked in the NHS for many years. She is a Christian and worships locally. Her interest in the Foodbank comes from her own professional background and involvement in the Christmas Day lunch that has been offered in Ely for the last 12 yrs. Tabitha became a trustee in 2022.

Sara Ochieng

Sara moved to Ely in 2020 having spent more than 25 years living, working and bringing up her family in Uganda. She is an accountant with experience in a variety of profit & non-profit making settings and is a practising Christian. Currently Sara works part time in finance/administration and also volunteers at the Ely Foodbank warehouse. Sara became a trustee in 2022.

Jayne Roskell

Jayne moved from Newmarket to Soham with her partner in 2021. Having stepped back from a career in marketing she works and volunteers in areas that will “ bring satisfaction and enjoyment” using her coaching, mentoring  and organisation skills. She went along to a volunteer information talk from the Project Director & decided she wanted support the local community by joining Ely Foodbank. Jayne became a trustee in 2023.

Jonathan Peryer

Jonathan is clerk to the trustees.  Jonathan retired from full time employment in 2022 after 35 years as a public sector accountant and a school bursar. Jonathan ensures the smooth running of meetings, prepares meeting agendas, takes accurate minutes, maintains the effective governance of the Trustee Board. He ensures that all of Ely Foodbank’s legal and charity commission requirements are met.  He also volunteers at Ely food distribution sessions.

Back to About