Meet oliver

Oliver Gadsby has been a CWR volunteer since 2020. He has just joined the board of trustees, and is looking forward to helping CWR fulfil its mission in the years ahead. We asked him a few questions…

When did you first engage with refugee and asylum issues? How did you find out about CWR?

I was introduced to CWR during that weird period of lockdown in 2020. Having previously travelled a lot for my work in publishing, I found myself at home in Cheltenham, and looking afresh at the town I had lived in for nearly 30 years. I had published books on migration, identity and refugee issues, but to see the reality of these challenging topics at first hand, and so close to home, really made me want to help.

What do you do as a CWR volunteer, and how long have you been involved?

I started receiving the CWR newsletter in lockdown, and then came the question: ‘Does anyone have experience of teaching English as a foreign language?’ I felt it was time to get involved, though my experience was in the rather distant past! (My first job after university was teaching English in Casablanca, Morocco).

I started out with CWR giving English lessons via WhatsApp, when we were unable to meet. That has morphed very happily into being a volunteer at the Hub, taking part in the joyful mix of conversation, games, drama and music that is so ably led by the Hub volunteers and the Everyman Theatre team. It is a real privilege to meet people who have arrived in Cheltenham as asylum seekers, and to offer support and friendship as they find their feet in our town. It’s also great fun: we have a laugh, and it is a lovely moment in the week for all of us!

Each week, I and a few others invite anyone present to stay on after the main session for an hour of English instruction and conversation, and it is a relaxed chance for some practice, where more able speakers support beginners and we see progress from all the participants.

You’re our latest trustee! What does it mean to you to join the board of trustees?

I’ve taken part in one trustee meeting so far, as well as some strategy discussions looking ahead over the coming years. I’m very proud to join the trustees of an organisation which is so well run, and so well regarded both by its user community and by the wider world – The King's Award for Voluntary Service being a real recognition of the work done by the founders of CWR and by all its volunteers over the past decade.

As a trustee, what will you focus on?

We all want CWR to remain able to give excellent support to our community of asylum seekers and refugees. I bring some previous experience as a charity trustee, as well as my professional roles running businesses and membership organisations.

I’ll look to support our governance and good practice, and help to develop our financial planning and reporting. Above all, though, I’ll want to focus on improving the life chances of the people I meet at the Hub: they provide the real inspiration for our work!

Find out about taking action for refugees and asylum seekers or get involved with CWR, by applying to volunteer.