Reflections from the Interim Chief Executive – four months in
It is an absolute privilege to be four months into my term as Interim Chief Executive at Gilgal. I am deeply committed to creating safe, empowering spaces for women and children affected by domestic abuse and to advocating for system-wide change that can transform lives and ensure women feel safe in our society.
I stepped into this role at a time of significant challenge, but also of huge opportunity. My focus has been on strengthening Gilgal’s foundations so that we can continue delivering outstanding refuge services while also growing our preventative and place-based community outreach work. Over these first months, I’ve concentrated on four key areas: safeguarding, governance, financial oversight, and strategic development.
Safeguarding is truly at the heart of everything we do. We’ve worked to embed a proactive culture across the whole organisation. Every member of staff including our Safeguarding Lead Trustee has completed enhanced training, and we’ve introduced refreshed policies now woven into supervisions, team meetings, and dedicated safeguarding forums. At Gilgal safeguarding isn’t just a policy; it’s a living, breathing part of our daily work.
I’ve worked closely with our brilliant Board of Trustees to strengthen governance based on transparency, accountability, and forward thinking. Our live organisational risk register, with clear mitigation strategies, really enables informed decision-making. We’ve also launched a new 12-month organisational strategy that honours our vision, mission, and values — while setting a bold course for future growth and sustainability.
We brought Amy Birch – Interim Finance Director – on board, who has helped us tighten our systems, enhance reserves management, and strengthen compliance and grant reporting. We’re streamlining processes to ensure efficiency, clarity, and accountability, giving us the confidence to plan ambitiously.
Building for the future
Looking beyond working with women in crisis, we have begun shifting towards a preventative, place-based model of support. Working with staff and partners, we are exploring Trusted Community Contact Points – safe spaces within GP surgeries, mental health trusts, and faith communities – extending our reach into wider into communities as part of our preventative service response.
We are working to raise Gilgal’s profile, engaging with commissioners, contributing to the Birmingham Domestic Abuse Strategy Board, and partnering with the Cairn Consortium – our sister charities – to explore system-wide funding solutions and opportunities. With the brilliant guidance of fundraising consultant Becky Francis and our talented Comms Manager Amy Davis, we are also developing a corporate fundraising arm to diversify our income and secure our future.
Celebrating our people and our impact
It is a pleasure to work alongside such dedicated and passionate colleagues. The Gilgal approach is rooted in community, with women and children in our services supported by a play therapist, counsellor, IDVA, ISVA, and wellbeing Support Workers. We may be small, but the difference we make is huge. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the whole Gilgal team for your hard work and dedication over the past few months, particularly with the move to the new refuge building. I love being part of this team, and I am constantly inspired by the care, creativity and commitment I see every day.
As I look ahead, I’m excited for the next phase of our journey. Our goal is clear: to continue delivering exceptional refuge services, expand our prevention work, and ensure Gilgal remains a resilient, values-driven organisation for years to come.
