December marks the end of an era for Re-engage volunteer Nikola Sutherland. After 25 years of creating meaningful moments for guests of the Westminster 43 group, Nikola is stepping down from her role.

Nikola, who is a partner in a private equity firm says she will greatly miss meeting up with the older people in the group, which is coordinated by fellow volunteer, Carl Gardner. Nikola became involved with the charity after attending one of our afternoon tea events at a hotel in Mayfair, London, where she had “a lovely time”. Her then-employer, JP Morgan, encouraged staff to volunteer, and Nikola signed up.

For the last 15 years, Nikola has hosted a festive dinner for the group in her home in St. John’s Wood, north west London, with one attended by then local MP, Dame Karen Buck.

“I’ve loved hosting the dinners,” said Nikola, who will be spending more time in America from next year, with her husband Martin and their two daughters. “The older people are all so interesting and have lived full lives.

“They are very humble and wise and never boast about anything, even though many of them lived through the Second World War and some were evacuated. I really admire their resilience and their kindness. One of our guests, Frank, was nearly 100 when he died a year ago. He could play any song on the piano by ear, and even in his 90s he volunteered for the Samaritans and a number of other charities. He was always helping his community. 

“When I started volunteering for Re-engage, I found hosting the Christmas dinners for so many guests a bit stressful but as time went on, they became easier to repeat – at the end of the evenings, although exhausted, I feel I enjoyed the event even more than the guests! Even though I host in my home, Carl does all the legwork. He keeps me informed all the time about who’s coming, who might not be coming and what time they will arrive. He and the other drivers really deserve all the credit for keeping the group going over so many years, and for making Re-engage a real grassroots charity, which I will really miss.”

Re-engage Head of Service Delivery and Volunteering, Emily Mangroves, said: "We’re grateful that Nikola made Re-engage part of her life, and we hope this next chapter brings Nikola as much joy as she has given to others. We’re looking forward to continuing to support the hard work of Carl and all he does for the group.”