Bristol Link with Beira

Our Team

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 social justice and is keen to ensure that Bristol Link with Beira adds value by driving community initiatives. An accountant and financial consultant, she has worked in various public sector organisations, most recently the Ministry of Justice. Peninah is also a Board member for African Voices Forum, HealthWatch, the Perivoli Africa Research Charter, the Independent Residents Panel for Avon and Somerset Police, and is a mentor for the Princes Trust. 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. 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 an experienced Directors’ Assistant at Bristol City Council, having previously worked in the public sector. She has been involved in the trade union for 35 years and is now an active steward. Sharon is committed to working through the different strands of equality and diversity. She finds this challenging, encouraging, and educational to everyone. Sharon gets satisfaction when progress and achievements are made especially around Women, Black & Minority Ethnic issues. Sharon is an experienced Magistrate and serves as the 2023 -2024 High Sheriff of Bristol.

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.

Angela Lowe

Trustee
Angela is an independent marine environmental consultant. Her connection with Mozambique began in 2009 when she went to volunteer for six months for a marine megafauna research centre in Inhambane. Through both living in a small coastal community, and working on large infrastructure projects in Mozambique, Angela has a good understanding of the complex challenges and inequalities faced within Mozambique, from community to national scales. As a volunteer she helps support BLB’s partner ADEL Sofala with marine and community focused projects and proposals, as well as taking the opportunity to enhance her Portuguese learning by assisting with translation of documents. Angela is proud to be contributing to the work of such a well-established and impactful organisation.

Henry Frankis-Pyle

Trustee
Henry has been studying and working on the climate crisis for nearly a decade, with a keen interest in the relationships and challenges of climate change and global development. Henry’s work has spanned the science, economics, and international politics of climate change. As a trustee of Bristol Link Biera, he hopes to contribute his expertise to support locally-led solutions. His focus is on advancing justice and resilience for the people, climate, and nature of Mozambique. Henry is currently a climate change consultant living and working in Bristol

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.