Naomi Martin
DirectorNaomi has been Director of the Commonside Trust since 2005. She has overseen Commonside’s growth from a local project supporting lone parents and young mums to running a sizeable community centre – the New Horizon Centre – as well as running the Pollards Hill Lunch Club for Older People and services and activities for older people. Naomi lives locally with her partner, Simon, and cat Claude, and has a son at University.
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Tel:020 8764 9582 x 207
Steve Hill
Buildings ManagerSteve has overall responsibility for Health and Safety, for the condition and upkeep of the New Horizon Centre where Commonside is based, and for staff wellbeing. Steve grew up locally and both his parents were very active as volunteers and Trustees at the Commonside Trust.
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Tel:020 87649582 x 208
Lorraine Thorn
Bookings Manager, New Horizon CentreLorraine is responsible for bookings, rental income and manages the Reception of the New Horizon Centre. Lorraine has lived in Pollards Hill almost all her life and has been involved as a volunteer, a Trustee and a member of staff in that order.
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Tel:020 8764 9582 x 208
Odette Ukandu
Advice WorkerOdette runs the Advice service for local people covering welfare benefits such as Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments as well as housing, health and wellbeing. She is a proud mother of three daughters and a very good cook.
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Christine Matlock
Lunch Club and Older People's ServicesChristine runs the Lunch Club for older people and is working with a number of local partners to run fitness, social and creative activities for older people. Christine has lived in south-west London all her life and first started work with us as a work experience placement on an employability programme.
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Tel:020 8764 9582 x 205
Mercy Adjei
Kitchen Assistant, Lunch Club for Older PeopleMercy is a key member of our catering and care team and loves to try new menus!
Helen Doe
CaretakerHelen works on weekdays and occasionally at weekends. She is very committed to her work and wants to keep the Centre welcoming to everyone who comes to our doors. Helen is a talented artist and the Centre displays several examples of her work.
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Stuart Matlock
CaretakerStuart works on weekdays and is responsible for buildings management and repair as well as cleaning. Stuart helps some of our visitors with tech and has helped with running the film club.
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Wayne Simon
Finance ManagerWayne is ACCA qualified and expert in both Sage and QuickBooks. He provides financial management working two days a week (Tuesday – remotely Friday in the office). Wayne has worked and does work for a very wide range of clients in the private and third sectors and has been providing a reassuring financial oversight and expertise.
Aaliyah Ukandu
Development AssistantAaliyah is our development assistant and is helping to bring our data entry on Upshot up-to-date as well providing holiday cover and learning WordPress to update this website. Aaliyah is an undergraduate at Hertfordshire University and is also qualified to work in early years and youth settings.
Adam
Volunteer, Lunch Club and Older People's ServicesAdam has completed Level 2 in Food Safety for Catering, he volunteers in the kitchens three days a week and was commended in the Merton 2023 Volunteer Awards.
Jennifer
Volunteer, Lunch Club and Older People's ServicesJennifer has been volunteering in the Lunch Club for a number of years. She helps to serve plated dinners and to clear tables as well as running after-lunch activities such as bingo and craft activities.
Eric
Volunteer, GardenerEric used to run with the Croydon Harriers and is a knowledgeable gardener. He is a talented artist and the Centre displays several pieces of his artwork.
Anta
Volunteer, GardenerAnta is a local resident with extra-ordinarily green fingers. She has donated dozens of plants to the Centre and pops in regularly to ensure that they are healthy and watered.
