An interview with Sue Colclough, volunteer and supporter at St Ethelwold’s

Sue has been involved with St Ethelwold’s since 2008, first as a member of the dynamic Spirituality Group, then as a volunteer organising community hospitality and fundraising.

Generally, Sue responds to needs that come up, helping recruit and support garden volunteers, helping set up Host Abingdon Refugee Support, bringing together different groups (gardeners, meditators, hospitality volunteers, trustees and staff etc) to explore our common purpose.

Sue loves St Ethelwold’s, or St Eth’s as it is often known, to be quiet in the garden or the river room as well as to enjoy the fun of community celebrations.

Sue says it is a place where supporters can find their own niche, a place that thrives because of the commitment of many generous volunteers.

It is a very important part of her life.

In her interview, Sue outlines her experience at St Ethelwold’s as a volunteer, her contribution to fundraising and the maintenance of a safe space of retreat.

Sue explains both her role in organising the 2015 Host Abingdon programme to aid refugees and the collaboration with Christchurch to help Ukrainians in 2022.

She is full of praise for the warm and welcoming atmosphere that is inherent to St Ethelwold’s.

Three words: “Welcome, Sanctuary, Community.”

“Idea of welcoming people, being open to ideas,”

“Most enjoyable part: the people.”

Sue Colclough being interviewed in the Large River Room at St Ethelwold’s House by Abingdon School work experience student Alex Warwick

The Large River Room backs onto the River Thames, with Abingdon Bridge in the background. Sue has been a leading light in our efforts to raise funds to rebuild the river wall that retains the lovely garden at St Ethelwold’s which is open to the public all year around.