Bristol Link with Beira

About Us

Bristol Link With Beira

Bristol Link with Beira is a charity that promotes people-to-people networks between the cities of Bristol and Beira and benefit local communities in the city of Beira making sure no one is left behind.

The work is based on the strong twinning relationship between the two cities since 1990. We support the city in a number of different ways, through programme development, projects and research. For example, we have long-standing schools programmes, cultural exchanges and many local council initiatives.

Our main partner in Beira is the NGO ADEL Sofala, which helps identify, support and deliver programmes through people-to-people networks.

Peninah Achieng-Kindberg

Trustee Chair
Peninah works passionately for justice and is keen to ensure that Bristol Link with Beira adds value to communities. A Chartered Accountant, she was a senior Finance Business Partner at the Ministry of Justice. Peninah has been instrumental in driving community empowerment initiatives through BLB and African Voices Forum. She promotes inclusive leadership through addressing under-representation and inequalities whilst also tackling issues of Afriphobia by promoting positive images of African culture and heritage. Peninah is also a Board member for HealthWatch, sits on the Independent Residents Panel for Avon and Somerset Police, and is a mentor for the Princes Trust. Originally from Kenya, she has been in UK for over 20 years, as a community activist.

Dave Spurgeon

Trustee and Secretary
Dave Spurgeon has been involved with SARC and with BLB since their inception including helping to decorate the shop and offices we originally opened in Old Market in 1989! His interest in Southern Africa and Mozambique stems from his involvement in the Anti-Apartheid Movement over a number of decades. He Chaired Bristol AAM and its successor Bristol ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa) and has been a member of the NEC and ACTSA’s Advisory Council. He has been fortunate to have visited Beira and is Secretary of BLB, and leads the Operational Working Group.

Sharon Foster

Trustee
Sharon is a Directors’ Assistant at Bristol City Council and has been a Magistrate for 12 years. She worked in the public sector for 8 years, and then in local government for over 35 years. She has been involved in the trade union for 35 years and is now an active steward. Sharon enjoys working around the different strands of equality and diversity. She considers this to be challenging, encouraging, and educational to everyone; empowering women and children to build confidence, and to seek greater hope by involving information networks. Sharon gets satisfaction when progress and achievements are made especially around Women, Black & Minority Ethnic issues and is committed to carrying out the role accordingly towards greater equality. Sharon is the 2023 -2024 High Sheriff of Bristol.

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Roger James

Trustee
Roger brings experience in International Development and Sustainable Development, having spent 40 years at Oxfam, initially as a political affairs officer, rising to Team Leader for South West Regional Campaigns. He continues to research and campaign on these issues, in particular climate change and social justice.

Caroline Pitt

Trustee and Treasurer
Caroline worked for 10 years in Mozambique, based in Beira, designing social and civic infrastructure for urban populations and for the resettlement of rural refugees. She is very aware of global inequalities, including the effects of climate change, in particular rising sea level and severe weather events, on vulnerable communities. Since her return to the UK in 2001, as an Architect and Urban Development Planner, Caroline has engaged with sustainability issues in the built environment, with an emphasis on the educational sector. She leads the Programme Working Group for Bristol Link with Beira. She is active in West Bristol Climate Action and is a Trustee of Bristol's Global Goals Centre.

Bethan Simpson

Volunteer
My responsibilities as a volunteer have involved attending organisational meetings, contributing to the creation of newsletters, producing social media content, and extending assistance wherever necessary to ongoing projects. I am currently working on the creation of a “Where is our Twin” teaching pack, designed to educate primary school students in Bristol about Beira and Mozambique. The team’s support and inclusiveness have created a positive and accommodating volunteer experience, with the work being both flexible and enjoyable. I am grateful to be a part of Bristol Link with Beira and for the insight I have gained into the development sector.

Kate Pilkington

Volunteer
I translate, from Portuguese to English, reports, grant applications and any other documents received from our connections in Beira with regards to the various projects Bristol Link with Beira works to support. I have worked on progress reports from the Training Women and Girls in Sexual and Reproductive Health project, and grant applications for the Empowerment of girls in sexual reproductive health, human rights, and citizenship project. Bristol Link with Beira has a brilliant, welcoming, and responsive team that make it easy and enjoyable to volunteer with them. The causes supported are truly worthwhile, and the impact they have is always clear.