Sunflower

The Southend Sunflower Trust, formerly know as the Sunflower Support Group, was first formed in 1996 by the Health Visiting service, supported by the Southend Community Care Trust.

The support group based at Thorpedene Clinic, Maplin Way was developed in response to local need in the area for children and families with special needs.

The main aim of the group then was simply to provide support and information with a sign posting service on to other agencies like social care and education.

The group began with about 12 families and grew from strength to strength, after only a short time the clinic was unable to cope with the large numbers. Sir Teddy Taylor MP was approached to become a patron and kindly agreed in addition to Miss Hermione Norris highly acclaimed actress from Thorpe Bay.

Little Acorns was its next home where the parents became independent another of the groups aims. Under the leadership of key parents the group was re launched as Moments moving to the Shoebury area where it remains well attended and very active.

It was decided as the Sunflower Support Group no longer had the same function group; it would pursue a fund raising role.

Re launched under the new name of The Southend Sunflower Trust, we were affiliated with the National charity SCOPE and became a registered charity.

Along the way we have raised thousands of pounds to help local children and forged strong partnerships with local businesses and other local charitable organisations.

The committee is small but highly successful and motivated to continue to support local children with special needs.

Imelda Callowhill | Chair MSc, RGN, RHV

Imelda Callowhill is a Registered General Nurse and Health Visitor by profession.

She is the founder of the original Sunflower Support Group set up in 1996 during her role as a Health Visitor under the management of Southend Community Care Trust.

Imelda is passionate about the development of services for children in bringing together education, social and health issues.

She is now employed as the Locality Co-ordinator (Southend Trust) for children services.

A resident of Southend for over 18 years she has 3 children and feels very lucky on many levels "I like to have the opportunity to give something back and my role is a very small contribution to big picture...It has been a real privilege and a very humbling experience my involvement with the trust.

Imelda firmly believes that our children are tomorrow world and that we have to do every thing we can to maximise the quality of life for children with special needs.

Margaret Williams | Treasurer

Margaret joined The Sunflower Support Group in 1997 as a committee member having been introduced to the group whilst working as a volunteer helper at the mothers and babies sessions at Thorpe Bay Clinic. It was here that she met Imelda Callowhill who asked her if she would like to help at the special needs babies and toddlers support group meetings.

Margaret began her working life as a dental nurse in Surrey where she remained for 22 years. During this time she married a teacher and had a daughter. She later moved to London to be a secretary/PA to two doctors in Harley Street. During this period she divorced and when she re-married she went to live in Spain. Whilst she was there she became involved with an animal rescue charity.

From Spain she moved to live in France then Holland before returning to England where she lived in Suffolk and was able to care for her aging mother.

She moved to the Southend are in 1997 where she joined the Southend PCT working with the Health Visitors and Child Protection. When the Sunflower Support Group became a Trust, Margaret was appointed Treasurer and remains in that role.

She is currently helping at a local primary school to improve English reading and comprehension to 9 year olds. She has 3 grandsons of school age one of whom has special needs.

Jane Foster Taylor | RGN, RM, RHV

Jane Foster Taylor works as a Clinical Lead for children's services for South East Essex P.C.T.

Jane brings to this new position an enormous wealth of knowledge and experience of the needs of children and their families in the Southend area that have long term and complex health, social and educational requirements where she has nursed for the last 22 years.

She is keen to make a contribution to assist and improve outcomes for the child and family.

Jane believes that this local charity makes a significant contribution in improving outcomes for children and families, and is passionate about supporting the charities growth and development.

Martin Buckley | Secretary BTh

Martin was introduced to the Southend Sunflower Trust in 2006 having had a life time experience with a brother who is severely disabled.

Jeanne Levoir | NNEB trained nursery nurse

She went on to work in a variety of settings before leaving for California where she worked for an entrepreneurial restaurateur.

On returning to London she opened up and managed a successful Fulham pizza restaurant and an equally so, fresh pasta restaurant in Barnes SW13 gaining an entry into the Good Food Guide.

After many years of working all hours Jeanne then went 9-5 with an innovative sandwich bar in Covent Garden. This she ran until selling up for a life of Old Riley, which has yet to be achieved!

Jeanne a school governor for many years, a mother of two teenage daughters who enjoy living in Southend. "Its a privilege to be a trustee of such a worth while charity and to witness, "The energy and commitment of families and the generosity of local groups".

Cliff Young |

Cliff joined the Southend Sunflower Trust in 2007 having gained first hand experience with his two step sons who both have Cerebral Palsy related disabilities.

Cliff and his wife Pauline, created the Child Disability Help website to offer help and support to disabled children and their families in similar situations.

Through Cliff's contact with these families and feedback of this site, the trust hopes to further help these families.

Andrea joined the Southend Sunflower Trust in 2008.

Associate Trustees
Sally Simmonds
Charlie Cogan

Hermione Norris| Actor

Hermione Norris, acclaimed actor, has been committed to the Southend Sunflower Trust since 1996. Her mother, Mrs Helen Norris is a local health visitor/practioner.

Hermione has raised substantial funds through her work in television and film contacts.

Through Helen's involvement with the local community she encouraged her daughter to become one of our patrons.

Sir Teddy Taylor | MPM
retired member of parliament

Sir Teddy Taylor was first elected in 1964 representing Glasgow Cutrican and became a Scottish office minister in Edward Health's Goverment.

We are delighted that Sir Teddy Taylor has been a patron of the trust since 1997.

One of the Commons' most colourful backbench characters, Sir Teddy Taylor's career was almost of high ministerial office, but was thwarted by his own principles and the vagaries of the electorate.

He was first elected in 1964 representing Glasgow Cathcart and became a Scottish Office minister in Edward Heath's government.
He resigned from his post in protest at British entry into the EEC.

He was more in sympathy with Mrs Thatcher and became Shadow Scottish Secretary. His entry into office in 1979 was scuppered, however, when he lost his seat. He returned in a 1980 by-election, but did not come back to the frontbench.

He has instead established himself as one of the most steadfast opponents of the European Union and its entire works.

He includes a reference to the shortcomings of the EU in almost all of his frequent speeches and was one of the most persistent rebels against the Major government over Europe, eventually losing the Conservative whip.

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