Our Board and the management of the the almshouses

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Our Trustees

Partis College is managed by the Board of Trustees, supported by a full time Office Manager, a Residents Support Officer provides advice and guidance to the residents. The Office Manager is responsible for the College’s finance and administration, has oversight of contractors, and acts as Secretary to the Board of Trustees.’ The Board consists of a group of local volunteers with a range of specialist skills. The Partis trustees purpose is to manage its endowed wealth efficiently and effectively to ensure that the legacy of our founder Anne is protected in perpetuity.

By fulfilling this purpose we can both today and tomorrow support our residents to live full and independent lives, finding friendships, wellbeing, safety and security within our unique quadrangle and within our communities. Through representation, and donations and legacies, Partis is working hard to support local authorities and the Government to make it possible for many more residents to be housed safely and live happy independent lives.

David Atwell

David is a retired architect and town planner who worked for some 40 years on the conservation of historic buildings.  He was also a Housing Association trustee for many years, specialising in sheltered housing for the elderly.

Clare Barrett

Clare is a senior manager in Defence, and has life long passions for health & fitness and protecting our beautiful outdoor and historic spaces..

John Bowman

John is a Scottish Chartered Accountant and chairs the Finance & General Purposes Committee.  His career was mainly in the media & publishing sectors. He is an enthusiastic music lover. 

Tony Davies

Tony is the current Chair of Trustees, a largely retired management consultant. He lives in Weston Village and is the churchwarden at Langridge church.

Sarah Exton

Sarah is a certified IT professional. Currently working in the savings, retirement and insurance business. Her previous experience in an Almshouse charity helps support Partis today.

Maggie Goodbody

Maggie is an English teacher, having taught in schools and universities for over 40 years.  Now retired, she still does some voluntary teaching but tries to spend more time on her other interests, the main one being gardening.

Mark Phillips

Mark is a retired Programme Manager, previously managing the development and production of large electronic systems mainly in the Defence industry. His hobbies include gardening, DIY and travelling.

Sue Toland

Sue joined as a Trustee in 2020 and is a member of the Estates Committee. She lives in Lansdown, and has two dogs and a horse.

Rebecca Dennis

Rebecca joined in 2023 and is a is a lawyer with 30 years’ experience. She is in practice with a local firm. Her hobbies are tennis and music.

Shelley Bromley

Shelley is a semi-retired English Language teacher, having spent many years in the Further Education and University sectors and has also recently been a B&NES Councillor for Weston. She enjoys yoga and volunteering at the local community café and library in Weston.

  • The trustees and the day to day management of the college are supported by a full time Office Manager.

    A Resident Support Officer is currently being recruited.

    Various, specialist tradesmen are contracted to provide services in refurbishment and maintenance projects.

Personal Stories

  • “Quite simply, it was need that made me apply to live here. I was divorced in my late forties and had to rely on relatives for somewhere to live. I stayed with my daughter for 10 years until she had to move with her job. I was struggling financially and emotionally. It was a difficult time then but now I’ve never had it so good. I love living here.”

  • “When I was nearing retirement age I moved back to the UK after living in Australia. Our business had gone bust and I needed to make a decision about what to do for the best for me and my teenage children. I’d had a live-in job as a companion/driver for 10 years and accommodation was part of the package. When that ended I would have been living in a bedsit and penniless if it wasn’t for Partis.”

  • “I was forced to sell up when I got divorced. Then I retired and had money problems. It could have been a really terrible time in knowing where to go and what to do. I’d heard about Partis and the Christian aspect was important to me. Since I moved here 10 years ago, I value the friendship and company. Isolation can be a big problem for the elderly, but there’s no need to feel lonely here.”

  • “I was ready to open boxes, both in my life and literally. As a church army minister I’d worked all over the country. I’d lived in caravans, digs and bedsits and wasn’t wedded to bricks and mortar. But when I retired that changed. It was time to take stock. This has been my home more than anything I’ve ever had before.”

  • “I’d cared for my husband who had Alzheimer’s for a long time and when I was widowed quite recently, I became quite depressed and wondered what to do. I had a daughter who lived near Bath, but there was no possibility of me affording to live here. And then I found Partis. It’s like a new lease of life and I’m so happy here.”