About Us
Bold Women Empowering Brighter Childhoods
We are a dynamic team of four professional women dedicated to ensuring every child has a loving and supportive environment to thrive in. We are committed to providing essential resources like food safety, education, and healthcare to children in South Africa. Our vision is clear: to create a brighter future for every child, empowering them to achieve their full potential. Together, we will make a significant impact in the lives of those who need it most.
Our Story
Our story began over talks with family and friends who live and work in communities in South Africa beset with such basic inequalities as lack of food, electricity, clean water, healthcare, access to education and even family. We heard first hand of the struggles faced by these children and yet witnessed their joy at being able to attend a hope club or enter a reading programme and just knew we needed to get involved. Inspired by their resilience and with the support of those around us, we realised that together, we could create a positive impact. This passion led us to establish our charity, dedicated to providing assistance and hope to those who need it most.
Meet The Trustees
Siobhan Martin
Chairperson & Trustee
Professional Background
Siobhan has over 25 years experience in Finance, predominantly in the Retail, Hospitality and Consulting sectors. Siobhan is currently Finance Director for the UK's largest Motorway Services Area company. Siobhan brings finance, governance and leadership expertise.
Why I joined Reachout2Africa UK?
"Having grown up in South Africa and seen first hand the poverty and challenges of so many of our nation's beautiful children I wanted to use my skill and expertise to give back and empower those less fortunate than myself. Even one child going to school less hungry and being afforded the opportunities my own children have to focus on reading, writing and developing rather than worrying where their next meal comes from feels like a monumental step forwards."
Elizabeth (Anne) Kiely
Trustee
Professional Background
Forty years experience working and volunteering in the public sector in the UK and Ireland, including roles in senior management and communications. Anne is an active volunteer for St Barnabas Hospice, Lincolnshire, a member of the East Yorkshire Roses virtual Women's Institute and an Associate Member of Louth Rotary. Anne's particular areas of expertise are health services and charity management, communications and PR and business networking and mentoring.
Why I joined Reachout2Africa UK?
"Through friends, family and visits to South Africa, I have knowledge of the difficulties faced there by families and children. Now retired from paid work, I hope that my skills and experience can make a difference to the lives of people who need support."
Caroline Garnett
Trustee
Professional Background
Caroline has over 25 years of work experience primarily within Finance, Operations, Management and Leadership, gained within South Africa and the UK. She is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and holds a Masters in Business Administration. Caroline brings practical experience in budgeting and planning, governance, internal controls and reporting, as well as in operations and financial management.
Why I joined Reachout2Africa UK?
"I am at a stage in my life where I would like to contribute to society in a meaningful way. I am South African and understand the challenges that many of our people face on a daily basis. I would like to use my skills to contribute to the success of the charity in order to make a positive impact to young South Africans so that they can reach their full potential".
Hannah Darlington
Trustee
Professional Background
Hannah has over 20 years’ business experience working in the Beauty, Nutrition and Wellbeing sectors, currently as Europe & Africa's Vice-President of Marketing for a major global wellbeing company. Hannah brings expertise in branding and communications.
Why I joined Reachout2Africa UK?
"I wanted to use my skills and experience to make a tangible difference to people who haven't enjoyed the privileges in life that I have. Reachout2Africa UK’s mission and values align perfectly with my passion for supporting and empowering vulnerable young people to help them create a more positive future."