We're delighted to announce our new Chair, Vice Chair and Life President, who will help lead Julia's House forward in caring for some of the most seriously ill children and their families across Wiltshire and Dorset.
We've welcomed Elizabeth Gardiner in the honorary role of Life President. Known fondly as Liz, the former NHS Community Services Manager and District Nursing Sister has taken over this role from Julia's House's late founder Mike Wise MBE, who died aged 84 in November last year.
Our new Chair of the Board of Trustees is Brian Parker, CEO of the national parking company Britannia Parking. And our new Vice Chair is Peter Wragg, whose experience includes Chairman of the Board of Visit Wiltshire and Board Director of Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Bringing a wealth of experience and passion between them to these voluntary roles, the new leaders will help to build on the resilient and essential work that Julia’s House has been carrying out throughout the pandemic, and further grow our care for local children with life-limiting conditions and their families in the heart of the community.
Julia’s House Chief Executive Martin Edwards says, “We’re delighted to welcome Liz, Brian and Peter in their new voluntary roles in the Julia’s House team. Collectively, they’re bringing a huge amount of knowledge and dedication to drive forward our vital care for local seriously ill children and their families.”
Life President, Liz Gardiner
Liz joined the Julia’s House Board in 2004 as the Nursing representative, and remained a Trustee until 2014. She was also Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2014. She continues to put her clinical experience in the NHS to good use by supporting members of the Julia’s House Family Support Services team with advice and guidance. Liz volunteers for the children’s hospice charity in many other ways, including collecting regular supplies of PPE for the nurses and carers from regional NHS hubs during the pandemic.
Liz says, “I was delighted to be asked to be Life President of Julia’s House and I am honoured and proud to accept. I hope I will be able to live up to the example set by the late Mike Wise. I have been involved with Julia’s House since its beginning. I have watched it grow and expand in Dorset, and into Wiltshire, and the concept of caring for the child and being there for the family really resonates with me.”
She adds, “My husband Pete and I have been fortunate to be actively involved in many aspects of Julia’s House, and have been thrilled to see firsthand the difference the charity makes to the children and their families. We both intend to continue to support and champion Julia’s House in every way possible.”
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Brian Parker
Brian takes over as Chair of the Board of Trustees from Warren Munson, who retired at the end of his six year term and who has now become a Company Member of Julia’s House. Brian, CEO of Britannia Parking, which has been a supporter of Julia’s House for several years, joined the charity’s Board a year ago.
Brian says, “I am deeply honoured to have been appointed Chair of Julia’s House. Having been involved since 2015 through various fundraising events, the Trading Board and latterly as a Trustee, I have witnessed the enthusiasm, dedication and fantastic efforts made by staff, volunteers, Trustees and the senior team – all of whom make a positive impact on the lives of the families who need the support of Julia’s House. To be given the opportunity to serve as Chair is therefore very humbling and I aim to uphold the standards set by previous individuals who have served in the role.”
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Peter Wragg
Peter has taken on the role of Vice Chair and has been a Trustee at Julia’s House since 2018. His experience includes roles as Chairman of the Board of Visit Wiltshire Limited, Deputy Chairman of Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Chairman of the Bath Rugby Foundation charity. He has extensive corporate business experience at Director level, having worked on four continents, and he also ran his own company. Peter first became involved in hospice work whilst a Rotarian and Assistant Governor in Wiltshire.
Peter says, “Julia’s House is filling the gap in Wiltshire for the provision of frequent respite care for children and their families that is so desperately needed. I was delighted to be asked to help and I am proud to be able to actively support as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.”
If you'd like to find out more about getting involved at Julia's House, visit our volunteering pages or get in touch.
