Trustees
Gail Millar is the founder and the Chief Executive of Befriended. Gail was previously the Older Person’s Specialist for the Salvation Army and prior to this the pioneer of Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre where she worked as the General Manager for 20 years. Gail is passionate about “making a difference” especially to the lives of older people. Gail is married to Stuart and they have five children and nine grandchildren. Gail and Stuart attend The Point Church and live in the village of Hurstpierpoint.
Stuart Millar (Treasurer) is married to Gail. Stuart was born in Scotland and currently works as an Application Specialist in the field of Food Science. After working in a number of different laboratories before this, including 20 years at the University of Stirling, Stuart moved to Hurstpierpoint in 2008 when he and Gail were married. Stuart was brought up in the Church of Scotland and spent a number of years as an Elder in his local Church just outside his home town of Dunfermline, where he was also actively involved in Cub Scouts. When not travelling with work, Stuart enjoys music, computers, looking after his home, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Rev Will Kemp (Chairman) is Minister in Charge of The Point Church, a local Anglican network church for Mid Sussex that meets in Burgess Hill. Will moved to Mid Sussex with his wife Caroline and their three boys in August 2004, to ‘plant’ The Point. Will is a member of the Burgess Hill ministers group, he leads the local New Wine leaders group and is a governor at St Lawrence Church of England Primary School in Hurstpierpoint. Will was ordained as a Minister in the Church of England in 1999, and worked for a church in London before moving to Mid Sussex. He is a lifelong supporter of Watford Football Club, and still plays football on a Monday night with a few other dads!
Lizzie Lamont moved to Hurstpierpoint from London in 2016. She works part time for Holy Trinity as their Administrator and also works with a GP practice for the homeless in Brighton, and a number of other small projects, largely supporting them with their administrative functions. Lizzie is also a Trustee of Tower Hamlets Mission in London. Prior to living in Hurst Lizzie worked with Oasis Charitable Trust and continues to sit on a number of small Oasis Community Hub boards. Aside from these things she enjoys her allotment, hospitality, being out in the countryside, and spending time with her young niece and nephew in Brighton each week. Since recently welcoming a new member to their family, Lizzie is currently on maternity leave.
Diane Watts is a Baptist minister who is currently leading the national Faith and Society team for the Baptist Union. Prior to that she worked in community engagement for the Diocese of Chichester, having led a Baptist church in south London. Before training as a minister, Diane taught History and Politics in a boys’ school. She is married, with two sons and lives in Brighton.
Janice Gott has been been volunteering at Befriended for a few years, supporting events and as a telephone befriender. She is part of The Point church and enjoys helping out at the Cafe once a month, being part of a small group and attending the courses offered. Janice is a Mum to two teenage girls and a wife to David. She love walking their beautiful dog in the Sussex countryside and along the stunning coastline.
Janice works as an intervention teacher/ tutor now and has been in education for many years. She retired from her second headship about five years ago. When Janice finds time she enjoys making things by knitting and crocheting. Janice grew up in North Wales and Chester, moving to Sussex more than thirty years ago. For five years she lived in Greece teaching English.
Nicholas Baldwin runs his own chartered accountancy firm, he is married to Sue, has four grown up married children with two grandchildren and a new puppy called Pip. Nick attends the Point Church.
Dave Chewter owns and runs his own business, Parkers Van Hire, as well as various construction projects. Dave is married to Liz and has three grown up children and 6 grandchildren. Dave attends a Church in Wivelsfield.