Liam Strong - Chair
I have been loosely involved with Enrych Buckinghamshire for about 11 years. Initially through my partner Lynda, who was signposted to the Charity by her occupational therapist. I gave up work in 2017 to be able to spend more time looking after her more effectively.
In 2019 I became a Trustee as I was becoming more involved in helping at some of the lunches. Later in the year (October) I took on the responsibility of Chairing the Trustees, a role I felt I could make a material difference to. Just a few months later, little did I know what changes 2020 would bring!
What hasn’t changed I hope, is our determination to carve out a way of living that embraces some of the changes for the better whilst striving to return to a more socially active life of interacting with real people on a face-to-face basis. At Enrych we are striving to make this happen for as many people as possible. We remain committed to improving our members quality of life with the help of our wonderful staff and all of our fantastic volunteers.
Lynda and I are both members of the National Trust and Royal Horticultural Society and we hope to spend more time making better use of our membership.
Linda Grantham - Deputy Chair
I have been a Trustee with Enrych Bucks since 2017. However, I have been involved with Enrych since 2014, when I became a volunteer.
My background has always been very people focused. I worked in Adult Education for seventeen years. I then moved into the world of hospitality and worked as a Training and Development Manager for Intercontinental Hotels. Finally, I worked for a Management Consultancy in London, helping people who had been made redundant. All of these roles gave me the opportunity to help people develop and enrich their lives. This is something that I hold dear to my heart, giving people opportunity to see they can achieve, whatever life has given them.
In my spare time I enjoy baking, crafts, gardening and I belong to a lively book club. I also volunteer at the charity book shop in my local town. Volunteering is definitely a two-way process, it has enriched my life so much being with such inspiring people. Retirement isn’t quiet, but it is so fulfilling, none more so than when I’m with my Enrych family.
Kyle Banks - Trustee
I have been an Enrych Bucks Trustee since May 2019.
I have a diverse professional background gained in the third, public and private sector, with over 20 years’ experience within the field of disability and adult social care. I am a professionally certified: SEN teacher, social care commissioner, project manager; and a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. In June 2019, I became the Charity Director of Missenden Walled Garden where we enable adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems and social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties to transform their lives through Social Therapeutic Horticulture (STH).
I had the privilege and pleasure of working for Enrych for 2 years from 2011 to 2013. I then moved onto managing commissions and contracts in health prevention for adult social care, including a contract with Enrych! As I looked at all those services, I was always incredibly impressed by the work Enrych did (and does!). The impact it makes through the coordinator, member and volunteer model is truly exceptional. Like the Walled Garden, what brings the magic is having a large place for fun and happiness at the heart of our objectives and outcomes.
I live in Wendover with my wife Jennie (who is a Speech and Language Therapist and was in the NHS Bucks. Community Neuro. Rehab. Service), our 2 daughters (Poppy 13 and Isabella 15), 2 dogs (working cocker spaniels - mother and daughter).
Liz Puszyk - Secretary
I’ve been a Trustee with Enrych Bucks since 1993 when it was called Ryder Cheshire Volunteers (RCV). I was working in the Spinal Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as Admin Support to a team of Social Workers,
a job I loved as I was able to understand what the patients were experiencing as was a patient back in 1980 after sustaining a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia after a car accident. I have been a wheelchair user now for over 40 years! Following my accident, life went on and I to learn to adapt to a new life with two young daughters who I had to care for from my wheelchair. We all adjusted well and they are now adults and I have a gorgeous grandson aged three.
Enrych has been a special interest for me as I know how isolating a disability can be and the frustration of not being able to get into shops, pubs or social venues, also the changes to your home life once you have a disability.
Over the many years I have been with Enrych I have seen people’s lives changed so much for the better as Enrych has provided a friendly volunteer who often becomes a real friend. This also has an impact on the whole family as it gives them time to do the things they want to do as well.
It has been a great pleasure for me to get to meet some of our members and volunteers over the years at pub lunches. social events and coach trips. I love to see so many smiling faces and the difference that Enrych makes in so many people’s lives.