NICK Thomas from St Denys in Southampton has recently been appointed as Development Officer at a charity dedicated to erasing loneliness in the city (June 2021).
The father-of-two will be overseeing and investigating opportunities to develop and deliver commercial prospects at Communicare so that it can continue providing its vital services for those in need.
Nick said: “I absolutely love interacting with all the amazing people I’ve encountered in my role so far. I have witnessed first-hand some of our wonderful service users to our brilliant volunteers, who we call Communiteers, and our fantastic team, using their gifts and talents with a shared purpose.
“I’m thrilled that the work I will be doing will generate income for Communicare and help us as a charity continue to serve our service users and, by extension, the wider community.”
Nick’s day-to-day duties include researching for potential commercial ventures for the charity to be involved with and finalising projects in progress, plus attending training events to enable him to learn best practice for the organisation. As well as participating in meetings, both virtually and in person, planning and chasing up tasks to ensure they are completed in time, and general administration.
“As a Development Officer, I also oversee the charity’s digital strategy so that we are kept up to date and serving everyone who comes in to contact with us in the most efficient and effective way.
“The rise of digital has been vital recently, especially as Covid-19 has meant less face-to-face interaction with the general public, our dedicated Communiteers and our service users. It’s become a key platform for our ongoing engagement.”
The 34-year-old grew up in Malmesbury, Wiltshire and attended Malmesbury School, followed by Wiltshire College where he studied Public Services. He then went on to complete a degree in Outdoor Adventure Management at Southampton Solent University. While there, Nick realised that a long-term career in the outdoor industry wasn’t for him and he switched units to focus on Business Studies.
Prior to joining Communicare, he has had three different roles: Centre Manager for Christians Against Poverty (CAP), Assistant Pastor at Southampton Vineyard Church and then, after stepping down from CAP in 2018, as a Recruitment Officer and Customer Services Advisor for Quilter, which is within the corporate sector.
Nick adds: “I first entered the charity sector in 2009 as a volunteer debt coach for the charity CAP, five months into this role I was fortunate to be offered the Centre Manager position, as the Manager at the time was retiring. I cherish the time I spent with CAP, it was a privilege serving people, making a positive difference and helping create opportunities for people to serve, get involved and enable the charity to grow and help more people in Southampton. Now I’m looking forward to similar successes with Communicare.
“The pandemic made me realise that my heart was still in the charity sector. I missed the difference I could make to those that are vulnerable in our society. I’m extremely thankful to Communicare for welcoming me and providing me with a fresh challenge.”
One of Nick’s first projects has been to focus on the charity’s newest venture, Communibakes. A project that will see Communicare taking over a small bakery in Southampton, creating a separate legal entity. It will provide an extra strand of income, with the premises becoming a community hub.
“Helping to get the Communibakes project going is really exciting and has allowed me to get stuck in straight away. I’m working alongside some fascinating people, investigating the processes involved and have already learnt a lot about the baking industry.
“Obviously, the end achievement will be to raise money, but it’s a fun experience and, of course, great to try out some delicious cakes too! Currently, the set-up of Communibakes is still in progress. Once the purchase is completed, we’re all looking forward to the benefits this bakery will offer us.”
In his spare time, Nick, enjoys spending family-time with his wife, Sarah, who he met when they were teenagers, and his children India and Jesse. He enjoys listening to music, reading and trying to convince his children to support Southampton Football Club (FC).
Before lockdown he regularly played hockey and enjoyed having friends over for food and laughter. He also continues to help lead Southampton Vineyard Church as a voluntary Associate Pastor.
Communicare is a friendly, neighbourhood charity. Its services are staffed by its committed, kind-hearted Communiteers, who volunteer and give their time freely.
The charity’s Good Neighbours’ Network is currently supporting around 600 individuals/families through tasks including one-to-one telephone befriending and transport for essential appointments and assistance with shopping.
Normally Communicare’s services are linked to hosting face-to-face social events, such as regular lunches and tea parties for service users, but the charity, understandably, is unable to organise these currently due to ongoing Government restrictions on gatherings.
Currently more of Communicare’s work is done via the telephone, post and online.
The services Communicare provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
To find out more about Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
