Our trustees

Chair – Tony Oliver

Chris Brockway

Chris has been Associate Minister at West Cliff Baptist Church, Bournemouth, since September 2003, with specific responsibility for mission and community outreach.  He has a passion for seeing the local church become more effective in the local community.  Before entering Baptist ministry he worked as an insurance consultant.  Chris is married to Meg and together they have a son, Toby.  

Ben Griffiths

Previously Youth Minister at St Mary’s Longfleet, Poole, Ben has been working Soul Survivor in South Africa.  He trained at London Bible College (now London School of Theology) and has worked with families and young people since graduating.  He brings an awareness of youth culture, international poverty and HIV/AIDS crisis and family life in 21^st century life, and has a passion for seeing Christians demonstrate their faith in action.  He is also a trustee for The Bulgarian Support Fund, and a godparent with Kairos Wing in the Verne Prison.

Jackie Leswell

An ordained officer of the Salvation Army, who has worked in Warwickshire and London (10 years), Jackie is currently in charge at Parkstone. She has always been involved in community projects run by the Salvation Army, working with local churches and communities and has a passion to see the ‘church in the community’, the church with no walls.

Allan Simmons

Born and raised in the Bournemouth area, Allan specialised in farming and estate accountancy/consultancy for over thirty years and has many years’ experience of charity and school governance, including being Vice Chairman of Governors at Castle Court School, a governor of Canford School, a trustee of Christian Ministries and of Wootton Grange Charitable Trust.  He is also Secretary to Snaresbrook College Ltd and to the Church Council of Christ Church Westbourne; a Deanery Synod member, a business consultant and has been heavily involved in the funding and development of an orphanage and community centre in Varna, Bulgaria.  He was also High Sheriff of Dorset in 2004-5.

Richard Newland

Richard works for ALOVE UK - The Salvation Army for a new generation - in the twin roles of National Social Inclusion Manager and Strategic Development Officer for South West England.  This work involves developing and supporting youth projects across the UK and the Republic of Ireland aimed at those on the edge of life's opportunities.  He and his wife, Alison, have also recently set up a partnership with Poole Borough Council and the Salvation Army in Parkstone called Rock School, a music project for young people aged 8-13 years old.

Jeff has over 20 years’ experience in social services, starting his working life in an operational capacity with Avon County Council Social Services, followed by planning and service development senior roles in Dumfries & Galloway and Cumbria County Council    He joined the Adult Social Services Department of the Borough of Poole in 2000, and now serves as Principal Officer.  He has a particular interest in services for older people as evidenced in being the lead in securing the recent POPPS bid.  Throughout his career, Jeff has also had a particular responsibility for delivering services to people in their own homes through a diverse workforce.  Jeff uses his experience and understanding of churches, community and voluntary organisations – as well as the statutory sector – to find ways to build active communities.

Dawn Cuthbertson

A former teacher and headmistress, Dawn also has experience of mission and community work in South Africa.  Now officially retired, Dawn is a trustee of Kingham Hill Trust (overseeing Oakhill Theological College and Kingham Hill School) as well as actively involved in church life at St Mary’s Longfleet, Poole - prayer ministry, leadership of small groups, Alpha courses, mentoring and preaching.