Gill Perkins Chief Executive and driving force behind, well, everything... Expand Gill Perkins In 2011 after 20+ years in corporate sales and marketing I needed a new challenge. I was offered the role of CEO at Wandsworth Oasis. I justified the significant cut in salary to my husband by the fact that I would be working shorter hours and would be home to cook his dinner every night! Six years later it still hasn’t happened! Why? Well, behind every HIV diagnosis there is a vulnerable individual. If we can stop just one new diagnosis, our work makes sense. So, supported by a great team of highly committed, slightly mad charity shop junkies and thanks to some amazing donors we open up our shops every day and sell, sell, sell. It’s hard work, but I wouldn’t swap if for the world." Behind every HIV diagnosis there is a vulnerable individual. If we can stop just one new diagnosis, our work makes sense.
Patrick Lethaby Chairman and Wandsworth Oasis founder Expand Patrick Lethaby "In the late 1980s my friends were dying of AIDS with little or no support. Their families and partners had no support either. With a background in retail and with the help of other amazing individuals I started Wandsworth Oasis out of faith, a faith that even small interventions would be of value in that difficult times. "We were an oasis in a desert of stigma and unpleasantness. My faith was sorely tried and challenged in the early days. Times have changed and we deliver support in different ways now, but many people still need our help and I am proud of the support we provide to the sector." "We were an oasis in a desert of stigma and unpleasantness. My faith was sorely tried and challenged in the early days"
Richard Aldridge Trustee Expand Richard Aldridge "I was once a classically trained Chef, became a Trustee in 2011 but had worked as a volunteer for Wandsworth Oasis for many years before. Having been diagnosed for 30yrs, I can really sees the difference that Oasis achieves."
Bruce Black Trustee Expand Bruce Black "I have working on print and digital publishing for far longer than I care to remember. Currently I work with Google's platforms, ensuring that organisations such as Wandsworth Oasis appear prominently on the search pages. Challenging but good fun. "I joined the board of trustees in 2017 and bring a set of communication skills that I hope helps Wandsworth Oasis get its message out to the widest possible public. I think that we are getting there..."
Steve Pinto Trustee Expand Steve Pinto "Having worked within the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce for the past 15 years on a voluntary basis, I have now taken on the role as CEO and help to move our Chamber to new levels of professionalism, offering an unrivalled local network of contacts and business advice and support to local businesses. "My aim as a Trustee of Wandsworth Oasis is to help the charity to grow by enabling connections with more businesses in Wandsworth borough and promoting an active and integrated partnership approach."
Jason Rosam Trustee Expand Jason Rosam "I'm a radio presenter and journalist currently working for BBC Radio London. If that wasnt enough, I'm also the founder and director of local community radio station Wandsworth Radio which supports hundreds of volunteers to produce local news and entertainment programmes highlighting the work and people of the borough. "I became a trustee when Wandsworth Oasis gave the radio station a home above one of the charity shops in Battersea Park Road."
Chris Woolls Trustee Expand Chris Woolls I’ve worked in prevention and now support for older people with HIV for about 20 years now – so when Oasis asked if I fancied joining the Board to add HIV knowledge I jumped at the idea. I love the fact that they raise so much money, work with so many volunteers, and are so grounded in the community. Pretty inspirational stuff!