Trustees

Jig-So is a Charitable organisation established in 1992, it is also a Company Limited by Guarantee. It is managed by a group of trustees who meet at least six times per year. Trustees are recruited from the local community and are elected at the Annual General Meeting. Its constitution outlines the work of the organisation as follows -

'The aims and objectives are the preservation and protection of health, the advancement of education and the relief of distress within family relationships supporting children, their parents/carers and significant others i.e. grandparents, based in Cardigan and encompassing Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The provision of a resource and advice centre to advance the education of the public in good parenting skills and the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the condition of life of the inhabitants of Cardigan, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire'.

Brenda Jones

Brenda is retired. Her early career saw her as Deputy Manager of one of the first Family Centres in Britain for National Children's Home (NCH). Having moved to Pembrokeshire, Brenda worked for 20 years in both Dyfed and Ceredigion Social Services in various teams dealing with children and families.

Brenda established Jig-So as part of her role in Social Services, with a view to it becoming independent. Brenda has been centrally involved in establishing a number of community-focused initiatives locally including Cardigan Play scheme, Toy Library and After School Club. She has been a trustee for a number of organisations over the years and currently, in addition to her role in Jig-So, Brenda is a trustee for Canolfan Hermon, a successful community social enterprise.

Brenda has a range of general management skills. She has experience of project management and an understanding of the commercial aspect of running a social enterprise.

Kathleen Martin

Originally from Lancashire, Kathleen has lived in Ceredigion for nearly 30 years, mostly on a smallholding working with sheep, mountain ponies and chickens. She comes to Jig-So with experience as a playgroup organiser, PE and maths teacher and youth club leader. She has also worked in Africa helping to empower underprivileged women and in Paris teaching under-5s English as a foreign language. As well as her involvement with Jig-So, Kathleen is a County WI Trustee and Chair of Aberaeron and Cardigan civic societies. Kathleen is a keen crafter and teacher of household and craft skills and has an MA in local history from UWTSD.

Diane Dearlove

Diane is currently a self-employed Counsellor, Creative Therapist and Relational Supervisor. She has an extensive knowledge and experience of working with children, young people and families, safeguarding, staff employment, finance and working in multi-disciplinary teams. As an After-School club leader and playgroup leader she was able to support children with additional needs. Previously Diane has also been employed as a Hospital Play specialist and a Refuge and Childworker with Women’s Aid and brings extensive lived experience of poor mental health, domestic abuse and dyslexia to Jig-So.

As Jig-So’s Treasurer, Diane has good management skills, and has been a Trustee for a number of organisations overseeing finance and staffing along with being a Community Sub-Postmaster.