About Us
SACCO is a registered charity working in partnership with other local organisations to highlight issues that affect our community.
We organize meetings and social and community events with a view to decreasing social isolation and promoting diversity in the community. We also organise a varied schedule of events for the wider community during Black History Month. Kaleidoscope (available online and in hard copy format) is our fledgling magazine which gives a regular overview of our charity initiatives, together with articles on African, Caribbean and British culture, politics, history, and sport, with a view to giving writers of all social backgrounds a voice on their topics of interest.
SACCO is lead by a group of trustees, who are supported by a dedicated group volunteers that form the Management Committee. Trustees are elected, as per the constitution, at the Annual General Meeting held each spring. Trustees delegate various responsibilities to members of the Management Committee and the whole team work collaboratively together throughout the year to deliver SACCOs objectives.
Trustees meet on the 1st Monday of every month and the Management Committee meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Trustees are always pleased to welcome new volunteers onto the management committee, so if you have a particular skill to offer or you are interested in helping to direct the work of the organisation then please get in touch. Any member who wishes to raise a topic for one of the monthly meetings or enquire about joining the Management Committee should contact the office.
Our Trustees
Cleo Douglas
Chair of TrusteesCleo is the trustee lead on safeguarding, training and policies.
I'm of Jamaican heritage. Born in Bristol in the 70's I moved to London when I was 5 years old, but return regularly as I still have very strong connections to my home town.
I live and work in the borough of Croydon. I have worked in primary education for over 15 years. I have two beautiful daughters, one a 1st year midwifery student, the other about to embark on her GCSEs.
I love travelling and embracing new cultures. My hobbies are floristry, interiors and working within the community as well as being a rugby mum.
Grace Abamba
TrusteeGrace is the trustee lead on quality, health & safety and Kaleidoscope magazine.
Grace is of Nigerian heritage and has lived in Sutton for nearly twenty years. As part of her service to the community, she is a school pastor with Sutton Community Works which provides pastoral care to secondary school children.
Grace worked for leading international organisations in manufacturing, retail and supply chain quality assurance, travelling extensively across global markets. During Covid she founded a professional association for Nigerian Cosmetic Scientists and recently set up GNA Global Consulting to provide technical and educational support to fast moving consumer goods brands.
Grace enjoys leisure time with her grandchildren, going to the theatre and cultural exhibitions, watching tv comedy shows and taking holidays to places still on her bucket list.
Gerry Samuels
TrusteeGerry is the trustee lead on I.T and data.
I am a reverse Windrusher! In that, I was born in London to a Grenadian dad and Scottish mum, left as a baby and returned to UK in 1960 aged 10. In between we lived in Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad. At 16 had a year in a Chicago high school. Subsequently, as a primary school teacher, I lived in the Bahamas, Cayman and Colorado. As a result, sometimes my sense of nationality is a trifle confused!
Married 51 years to Pat; no kids and no pets, tho’ had nieces and nephews living with us over the years. I am an avid motorbiker, photographer, sometime sailor and constant traveller.
Annisha Taylor
TrusteeAnnisha is the trustee lead on HR, equality, diversity and inclusion.
I’m of Jamaican heritage. I moved to the borough aged 11 after having lived in Croydon. My career background is in HR and organisational development within the Retail and Media sectors. My current role is Head of Diversity & Inclusion at the BBC where I’m responsible for the BBC’s strategic approach to creating an organisation that is inclusive and one that has a diverse workforce which reflects and is representative of the audiences we serve.
Away from my day job and aside from my work with SACCO, my passion for creating equal opportunities continues in other voluntary roles as a Heart of the City Responsible Business Ambassador and a Global Purpose Enterprise Mentor. I’m also an active member of my local community by serving as a School Governor.
Grace Smith
Honorary TreasurerGrace is the lead on finance, fundraising and governance.
I worked in the NHS for over 34 years within Finance, General Management and Support Services covering all services, acute, mental health, community, specialist services and commissioning across South London. I am a qualified public sector accountant.
I have since my early 20’s worked with charities volunteering and supporting or leading finance and as a Trustee. For SACCO I am the Honorary Treasurer and provide support to the charity and Trustees.
I was born in Japan and moved around in my childhood and since I got married I have lived in Sutton for 40 years and have two boys who are married, who have now moved away from Sutton. I attended Carshalton Baptist Church for over 20 years.
Apart from finance I like to sew and embroider in my free time.
