The Friends for Life team is made up of a small number of staff, and a Board of Trustees. Together we look after our growing team of volunteers. If you would like to join us, please get in touch here.
Michael Ridley - Chair
Michael has lived with his family in Bedford for more than 20 years. He brings with him 27 years of experience within the civil service, most recently at the Department for Education where his policy responsibilities included governance within the further education sector.
Peter Egner - Trustee
Peter has over 35 years’ experience in Human Resources, business change, and business transformation, during which he has worked with several multi-national businesses in both the UK and overseas. He currently runs his own consultancy business and is a Trustee for a children’s charity.
David Sawyer - Trustee
David has lived in Bedford for nearly 40 years. He has been a Bedford Borough councillor for over 20 years, representing De Parys ward in the centre of Bedford. As a qualified accountant, he is interested in finance and audit, and his voluntary work has included governor of 5 local schools (at different times), Oxfam, the Princes Trust and currently Bedford Citizens Housing Association
Lisa Lindfield - Trustee
Lisa has lived in Bedford since 2020. Running her business in the document storage industry for 23 years Lisa has always had a passion for helping others and during covid she worked for a care company looking after the elderly in their homes. Lisa has been a Befriender since 2023
Pauline Carter - Volunteer Lead & Trainer
Pauline trains and leads our growing team of volunteers. She has extensive experience in nursing, social care and the chartable sector.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, Pauline would love to hear from you.
Alison Flashman - Administrator
Alison works part-time to support our small staff team and our board across all of their activities.
Onome Aduwo - Treasurer
With over a decade of international experience in accounting and finance, Onome brings strong expertise in financial management and governance. Now working in the UK’s health and social care sector, she combines professional knowledge with hands-on industry insight.
As Treasurer, she understands the charity’s mission deeply and ensures its finances are managed effectively to support meaningful impact.
Titilayo Majekodunmi - Trustee
Gillian Basnett - Manager
Gillie is our general manager. She has a long career in nursing, working at a senior level. She recently returned from living in France for several years where she ran a gite and small holding.
Sally Davies - Trustee
Sally is the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Sue Ryder and has been with the Charity since 2018. Sally has over 16 years of experience in managerial positions in Health & Social Care. Before her Health & Social Care passion was established, Sally has previously worked within Business and Finance roles for Barclays Bank and The Woolwich Building Society.
Helen Wheatley - Trustee
Helen has over 25 years of experience in Human Resources and has been a charity trustee for a number of charities. She also volunteers with Labrador rescue, at vaccination centres during covid, with sewing for the NHS during covid, and previous hosted children from the Chernobyl disaster zone. Helen oversees governance for Friends For Life, with the support of other trustees and the charity Manager.
