Charity focus
Being
part of
something
Words:
Sue Hughes
Pictures:
The Boaz Project
24 Resident
CHARITY FOCUS Resident Aug Sept.indd 24
T
he new manager
of the Boaz Project at Sutton
Scotney, Stuart Palmer, has
returned to his Hampshire roots –
although he was born at Eastleigh
he hasn’t spent much time in the
county during his career.
It’s taken him to Africa,
amongst other places, where he
was Executive Director at CURE
International for eight years,
responsible for all in-country
operations, specialising in helping
physically handicapped children
through surgery and other
interventions, including managing
a specialist elective orthopaedic
hospital.
Boaz, named after a kind farmer
who looked after his people in the
Old Testament, was set up to help
address the lack of facilities for
people with learning
disabilities once they have left full
time education. Its aim is to create
a supportive work atmosphere
for people who otherwise cannot
gain employment.
It began as a charity nine years
ago, spearheaded by Winchester
vicar James McInnes and his
wife, Carol, who helped form the
charity after finding there was a
great lack of meaningful support
for local people with learning
difficulties.
“James made contact with
the owners of Hill Farm, who
were retired doctors, to see
if meaningful work activities
could be organised for people
who are borderline in terms of
employability,” explained Stuart.
They kindly leased Boaz four
www.residentmagazine.co.uk
15/07/2016 11:37