CEO of Narthex Sparkhill retires
Nigel Brookhouse has announced that he is stepping down from his role of CEO of Narthex Sparkhill.
The CIO aims to improve the conditions and quality of life of the people of Sparkhill and neighbouring areas in south-east Birmingham by working together with local people, voluntary and other organisations to advance education and provide facilities in the interest of social welfare, recreations and leisure.
Mr Brookhouse, who retires after 17 years in the role said: “I've fulfilled my call with Narthex and it 's time to hand over the baton to someone new. I leave Narthex in an incredible stable place; I leave a legacy that will help Narthex continue to be a charity that makes a difference.
“We sadly run Birmingham 's largest Foodbank and six satellite foodbanks, I say 'sadly ' because I think it 's a crime that our country needs charities like Narthex to run foodbanks.
Last year, Narthex gave away 131 tons of donated food.
It runs a 1000 sq ft clothes bank as well as a refugee resource centre providing support to pregnant refugee mothers by supplying donated baby clothes, cots, pushchairs and small household items.
Narthex supports vulnerable people such as victims of domestic violence with a team of 22 staff and 200 volunteers. All of this support is funded by grants, donations and the Big Lottery.
Speaking on the dedication of his team, Mr Brookhouse said: “They are all change makers and life shapers who help and empower others to be free from the things that ensnare and cause them to live in fear and hurt.
“Narthex is not a memorial to the people who have worked there but is a legacy that is rich with passion and support.
“So, as I leave it won 't stop, it 's not dependant on any one person, its team built and led.
“It 's been my joy to have helped build [Narthex] into what it is now and leave it in the hands of a ream [of people] who will carry it on. ”
Although retiring from Narthex, Mr Brookhouse will continue in charitable work both in Sparkhill and further afield in Derby.
Mr Brookhouse has spent more than 35 years working with charities in both in the UK and globally including the likes of Canada, Brazil and Poland.
He added: “There are so many hurting and broken people in our world, and they need support and empowering to make a difference in their own lives. These past 17 years I did not imagine the level of destitution and poverty I would encounter, or get the chance to help so many of them.
“Thank you to all who have been a part of the past 17 years, thank you for giving me the time and support to help build Narthex into a sustainable charity that will continue to be a place where we give our most expensive commodity, hope, compassion and support offering people a safe place to share their hurt and allow others to come alongside them. ”