A VALUED member of a Dawlish-based charity is to retire after 30 years service.

Sheila Kent has been the finance manager of Assist Teignbridge since 1995 when it was an organisation known as Dawlish and East Teignbridge Volunteer Bureau and was looking for an accountant.

She soon streamlined banking arrangements and reporting, and helped with achieving charitable status at the end of the year.

Sheila said: ‘Through my years here, I have met many wonderful people: those providing direct support to our local community, whether by volunteering or paid work, my colleagues in the office enabling it all to take place, and the trustees steering the charity in the right direction.

‘Whilst many are on the front line of delivering services, I am proud to have provided the necessary “back room” support to have enabled this charity to thrive and grow and achieve so much over the years.’

Over the years, with successful funding applications the charity has added other services and expanded, with Sheila’s help, including a sitting service in 1997, an outreach benefits service in 2002, and a home nail trimming service in 2008.

It was rebranded in 2014, becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and renamed Assist Teignbridge.

Based in offices at the Manor House, Dawlish, the charity is at the heart of the local community.

It co-ordinated volunteer support during the pandemic, and care staff continued to support their vulnerable clients.

The Community Support Project and Benefits work are free services delivered by volunteers. The other services are delivered by trained care staff and charges apply, although these are kept as low as possible.

Now the hunt is on for Sheila’s successor.

She said: ‘I would say that it’s a pivotal role, with the monthly payroll and client invoicing requirement, and the provision of a full accountancy and budgetary control service for the trustees.’

Anyone interested in filling Sheila’s big shoes can contact the charity at 01626 889288 or email [email protected] for more information.