Who We Are
Dave Callender
Role: Dave is leading the panel of volunteers who are conducting the feasibility study into all the aspects of the project. Over the next 6 months he will be conducting site visits to other projects around the country, meeting officials from many charities, not-for-profit organizations, environmental and land use bodies, social enterprises and public bodies as we assemble the necessary input, skills and advice to guide us. Dave was accepted by the School for Social Entrepreneurs in December 09 and is working this plan from their mentoring environment.
Background: Dave studied History at University in the 1970s, now 50 he has 3 grown up sons, has spent his working life within animal welfare and since 1998 has occupied various positions within Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre a busy rehoming centre on Merseyside. He now currently runs a community cat neutering program working on run-down estates in north Liverpool with families that are struggling and runs his own house and pet sitting service.
Strengths: Dave has huge experience in running comprehensive volunteer programs, engaging with the public, creating a vibrant and valued experience from within a community site. He has ample experience of working under pressure, with limited budgets and appreciates the importance of putting together a package of health & safety and procedural needs to enable best practice be brought to the individual aspects of the project. By conducting a detailed study of existing projects, we have set our standards high. His experience has been within the charity sector, this has led him to realize the need for a project capable of trading, capable of having diverse revenue streams and capable of reaching out to different community groups.
Ambitions for the future: To establish a workable business model for sanctuary activity that satisfies community aspirations before settling down quietly somewhere with my books and binoculars.
A hero from history: Spartacus. He never gave up.
Favourite quote: Never say can’t.
Activities and pastimes: Literature, tramping the hills and dales, wild swimming, wild flowers, snoozing and all things made out of cake. Ha Ha!
Favourite film: Most watched probably Terminator 2, most meaningful Twelve Monkeys, most beautiful The English Patient.
Favourite space: Mull. The river Crake running out of Coniston. Anywhere close to running water.
Proudest of: My 3 sons, all individuals in their own right.
Bev Garside
Role: Director/Trustee.
Background: I have a history of volunteering and working in the voluntary sector and now run my own company, Empower – Support for the Voluntary Sector. I am committed to helping individuals and organisations develop their capacity so that they can achieve their potential. My background is in social and economic regeneration and have worked on some of the toughest estates in London (where residents who live and work in those neighbourhoods provide the real value to the community).
Empower currently works with over 800 voluntary and community groups and supports the Communities First Programme across Wales. I am passionate about Empower and the support we offer to the organisations we work for and I am lucky that I am in a job that I enjoy getting out of bed for every single day.
I have been an active campaigner for the rights of people and animals most of my adult life. My claim to fame is having led a campaign to rescue an Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphin from a dolphinarium whilst at University which brought about an end to captive dolphins in the county. I have a children’s story book written about me and Rocky the Dolphin I saved by Virginia McKenna. I am now a trustee of CAPS (Captive Animals Protection Society) and Torfaen Women’s Aid.
I have a daughter Ella who is my driving force and the focus of mine and her father’s joy. I have known Dave Callender since the early 1980’s when we were both young and idealists. I like to think we are both idealists even if we are not so young.
I am not intending to retire; maybe in 20 years I may start to slow down! I have so much I want to achieve and I still have lots of ambitions both for Empower and Beacon Life And Learning Centre.
Strengths: I believe I am driven by a goal larger than myself and that gives me an immense amount of energy and resilience.
People say that I am able to empower and motivate people and that gives me an immense sense of achievement.
My knowledge and skills developed through the growth of my business enable me to help other organisations achieve success. I also think I am a pretty good mother which is my most important role.
Ambitions for the future: I would like to see Empower develop into a strong and successful company which continues to provide meaningful support to the voluntary and community sector. I aim to see Beacon Life And Learning Centre achieve its goals and become an extremely special place and I want to watch Ella grow into a confident, and happy young woman with her own family and future.
A hero from history: Ernest Shackleton the explorer.
Favourite quote: “Argue for your limitations and sure enough they are yours” - Richard Bach
Activities and pastimes: Being with my family and my animals, enjoying my garden and reading. I also like swimming when I have time.
Favourite film: Easy one this.. To Kill a Mocking Bird starring Gregory Peck.
Favourite space: My garden overlooking the Brecon Beacons.
Proudest of: Ella, my daughter.
Ella Garside
Role: As the future project manager for the equine section, I am currently responsible for researching the section’s potential costs, revenues and requirements. I am excited to enrol on various equine psychology and facilitator training courses over the next year to prepare me for my role on the sanctuary and to enable me to teach people about horses and help them through animal-assisted therapy.
Background: I am a lifelong vegan and 20 years old. Currently I am living in Manchester in my third and final year of university studying Sociology and Criminology. I have volunteered at animal sanctuaries and rescue centres since I was 10 years old all over the country and abroad including Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre.
Strengths: I feel that my lifelong commitment to animals and their protection will mean that at all times the animals at the centre will receive the upmost respect and care.
My extensive experience working with rescued animals has also meant that I do not shy away from responsibility and hard work.
I certainly have many ambitions for this centre and feel that my drive and enthusiasm will aid me in achieving my goals.
Ambitions for the future: To successfully build an equine section that is a loving and secure home for rescued horses and donkeys. In addition to this, to provide a selection of courses and establish an effective animal-assisted therapy programme.
A hero from history: Does Buffy the Vampire Slayer count?? :)
Favourite quote: "Word to ya mother".
Activities and pastimes: Dog walking, bonding with friends, trash TV, running, kickboxing, jumping in and swimming in the sea.
Favourite film: Not a film but an obsession with ‘Friends’.
Too many films to name but the one with most effect - Jaws!
Favourite space: The ocean or anywhere walking along the coast.
Proudest of: My dog Spike.
Vee Longton
Role: To run the café.
Background: Lots of cooking, lots of caring.
Strengths: Makes very good veggie dog biscuits, and doggie shortbreads for those with no teeth :)
No matter how many onions I peel, each one is still a first, and I still love that feeling, and am always looking for new things to try, and never tire of learning of new ingredients, methods and dishes.
Lots of experience catering for large numbers of people in differing circumstances, and with varying budgets and needs, from wonderful kitchens and from the middle of a mudbath of a field on occasion !
Ambitions for the future: To make The Beacon café a glowing and successful little corner of the community that feeds the soul.
A hero from history: Rupert H. Wheldon, the author of “No Animal Food”, the first vegan cookery book published in 1910.
Favourite quote: “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, I will try again tomorrow” - Mary Ann Rachanbacker.
Activities and pastimes: Building the worlds largest collection of vegan cookery books and zines.
Walking my boy Jamie and being with my cats.
Sitting quietly watching the clouds, moon and stars.
Would anyone be at all surprised if I said cooking too?
Favourite film: Good Jane Austin productions, and Lord of the Rings.
Favourite space: Formby beach at night, when its just me, Jamie and good memories.
Drifting over the ocean shelf drop off.
Proudest of: Being the final safe haven to a small pack of oldies entrusted to my care, and having the honour of their trust and love at the end. They are all very much missed.