Year: 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce that our Managing Director, Sally Hanlin, recently passed away following a long illness.

Sally, one of our three founding directors together with Ben Hughes and Kerrie Good, formed Empanda almost 9 years ago but they had previously worked closely together over many years. 

Before moving to East Anglia in 2000, Sally worked for a specialist Charity and Registered Provider offering a range of accommodation and services in the East End of London, working with some of society’s most marginalised individuals, including street drinkers and homeless people. Once in Suffolk, she ran a very successful floating support service with a local Registered Housing Provider, before switching roles internally to head up their Care and Support services. She was responsible for a large and diverse portfolio of care and support services, employing 270 staff and offering a service to almost 4,000 customers. 

We will greatly miss our dear friend and work colleague, her wealth of knowledge, expertise and compassion. We are determined to continue to maintain and build on the high standards that were integral to Sally’s wishes for the company, and to continue her vision to grow and develop our services to be the best for the people we support and the communities we serve.

 

Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of volunteers across the UK. It’s a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank all the incredible volunteers for all they contribute to their local communities.

This year marks the 40^th Anniversary of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) and Empanda is joining thousands of other charities and voluntary organisations in recognising the contribution our volunteering teams make.

Alison has been volunteering at Brandon Day Centre since August 2023 and enjoys all aspects of her volunteering role.

She told us, “I enjoy getting the teas and coffees ready for the customers when they come in, laying the tables and meeting new people.”

 

Michelle Jarrett, Brandon Day Centre Manager said, “We are indebted to all our day centre volunteers for the wonderful role they play in supporting our customers and staff teams.

Volunteering gives a real sense of purpose. Whether they are chatting and reminiscing with customers, joining in with group or individual activities, or helping with refreshments, their contribution is invaluable.

Volunteers’ Week gives us the opportunity to reflect on the vital part our volunteers play in enriching the day centre experience for our customers and for that, we are truly grateful.

On behalf of our customers and staff teams, thank you all for your time, dedication, support and for just being you.”

We would like to say a huge thank you to the Empanda staff team who voted to support The Donkey Sanctuary Charity with money saved by sending an e-Christmas card instead of buying and posting traditional paper cards. Staff were again given the opportunity to nominate a charity/charities close to their own hearts, and The Donkey Sanctuary received the most votes making it the outright winner.

We are delighted to be able to send a £250 donation which has meant so much to the charity.

Christine from The Donkey Sanctuary Supporter Services team said, “We would like to convey our gratitude to Empanda and to all the staff for voting for the donkeys and for your generous donation. As a charity funded only by donations, this kind gift is incredibly valuable in bringing peace to these beautiful animals. Empanda’s kind gift will truly make such a difference to donkeys and mules with a safe and loving home at one of our regional sanctuaries, or in a dedicated Donkey Guardian home. Thanks to Empanda, we can continue to rescue these wonderful animals from appalling conditions across the UK and give them the care and treatment they need to thrive and lead healthy, happy lives. This £250 support will also enable us to extend our international outreach and improve the welfare of working donkeys and mules in some of the world’s poorest communities. Together, we can really make a difference to these wonderful animals and give them a brighter future wherever they are“

Click here to find out more about the tremendous work being done at The Donkey Sanctuary and how you can help support them.