Doug Fletcher is volunteer coordinator for IP17GNS. He’s well known for being cool under pressure and for having a happy smile for everyone he works with.
My wife and I moved to Saxmundham from Sussex in 2016 and very quickly settled into life within the community, especially through Connections Church – part of St John’s.
Prior to this, I had for 20 years managed a successful town centre café and bookshop operated by local churches and ‘employing’ over 100 volunteers, as well as several paid staff. So, I was quickly pounced upon to manage, on a part time voluntary basis, the church’s shop in the High Street.
When the shop was forced to close because of COV-19, I willingly took on the role of coordinating the wonderful team of IP17GNS volunteers and I do this from home.
My role is to try to make sure that the volunteers are given tasks which suit their personal circumstances and that they feel fully supported in what they do.