“I was distressed about the very visible homeless situation in Bath and the plight of these people. I find it really difficult to understand why we have such a problem in a first world country and wanted to educate myself as to why people were falling into this situation. I have worked for a number of years as a project director and wanted to offer these skills in whatever way they could be best used.”

~ Susannah Jewell – Genesis Trust Volunteer Trustee

It’s Volunteer’s Week this week which is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities.  All of us at Genesis Trust want to say thank you to all our faithful volunteers.  We’d like to tell you about Susannah.

Susannah started as a volunteer in the office in 2018 and helped for a half day each week.  She helped Genesis to get its Investing in Volunteers accreditation.

“In the volunteering role, I really enjoyed working alongside the amazing staff and volunteers at Genesis. I have met some truly wonderful, humble people, who give so much.”

She also began her faith journey in 2018 saying, “The people I have worked alongside have shown faith in action; how to walk alongside people with compassion to support them on their journey back to independence.”

In January 2020, she had to take on a full-time role again due to a change in circumstances at home, which meant she had to step away from volunteering.  But Susannah continued to fundraise for Genesis and in September 2019, her and a friend, Joanna Lewis, a Genesis Trust Trustee since 2019, cycled from London to Bruges to raise funds and awareness for Genesis.

In September 2022, she was approached by one of Genesis’ trustees and asked whether she would consider becoming a trustee herself.

Being a trustee, which is still a volunteering role, has been a different experience again. Susannah said, “We are all focused on ensuring Genesis remains true to its mission, remains sustainable and can respond to changing needs of the people we serve in the Bath and North East Somerset area.”

As a trustee, Susannah continues to fundraise for Genesis and it took her to a new level of commitment in her support of Genesis, literally. In April 2023, she jumped out of a perfectly good aeroplane doing a tandem skydive with Go Skydive in Salisbury.  She said, “Definitely the maddest thing I have ever done for a good cause.” You can watch her skydive video HERE.

We cannot emphasise enough that Genesis cannot do what it does to support homeless and vulnerable people to new beginnings and better futures without the help of volunteers. Not only helping practically but also fundraising. A big thank you from all of us at Genesis Trust!