THE GENERAL manager of Redditch charity Where Next is retiring in April – nearly two decades later than planned, writes Sophie Wheeler.
Graham Clark, aged 70 was only asked to work for the charity for a month but has now announced his retirement and is handing over the reins to new Chief Executive, Mathew Gilbert.
Where Next is a local charity that provides work experience and training for adults with learning difficulties or people disadvantaged in some way.
Since starting 17 years ago Graham said: “We are now 50 per cent bigger, in terms of the number of people we are supporting and now have 90 people we support on a regular basis.
“When I first came to Where Next it was for a month to hold the fort and I am still here 17 years later. I got sucked into the family but you have got to go sometime and it’s time to pass on the reins.
“It will be a very sad day leaving all of this – it will be like leaving my family.”
New chief executive – Mathew Gilbert, a youthful 46, has already taken on the role to make the transition as gentle as possible. He said: “The reason I chose to come here is because it was so friendly when I walked through the door.
“It’s a really strange feeling to feel part of a family straight away.”
Mathew said: “A lot of them have come out of their skins and are excited about getting up in the morning.
“Everyone who works there feels that people’s faces change as they walk through the doors.”
Graham retires on April 13 and leaves Where Next in the hands of Mathew, who has 15 years’ experience working in the charity sector, predominately with deaf people in the UK and overseas in countries including Indonesia.
He said: “The main reason I got involved in the charity sector is because it makes you want to go to work in the morning and we do it for the love of the job and the cause we’re working for.”
