A woman credited with helping transform one of Swindon’s best-known community charities is stepping down after five years of service.
Charlotte Mannion is leaving Big Breakfast Plus having overseen a period of significant growth that has seen the charity expand from serving breakfast twice a week to operating seven days a week, providing around 100 breakfasts each day for people experiencing homelessness, hardship and food insecurity.
Based at the Pilgrim Centre in Regent Circus, the charity has also broadened the support it offers during Charlotte’s time as Chair of Trustees and later as a trustee, introducing services including twice-weekly fruit bags and strengthening its long-term financial position.
One of her first achievements after becoming Chair in 2021 was leading the organisation’s transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), enabling it to apply for larger grants, employ staff and develop its services.
Since then, Big Breakfast Plus has appointed Services Co-ordinator Wayne Twitchell and, more recently, Charity Manager Sophie Boyce, while securing major funding packages including £150,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, £60,000 from Zurich Community Trust and a further £10,000 from Nationwide.
Reflecting on her time with the charity, Charlotte said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the board working with all of our very talented board members over the years. As I complete five years’ service, I can reflect on the huge learning curve we all went through to get to where we are today, a recognised and well-respected local charity.
“We can look back on our service from initially creating the CIO, while sourcing the Pilgrim Centre, to our first tentative delivery over two days a week, to five days and finally, and boldly, to seven days a week. We are fortunate to be employing enthusiastic, talented, and empathetic staff, and have a full complement of dedicated and committed volunteers, envied by many.”
Among her proudest achievements was seeing the charity receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour awarded to local voluntary groups in the UK.
She said: “My lasting joy has been to be part of the team that enabled Big Breakfast Plus to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, a well-deserved honour for all of us who volunteer in our community.”
Charlotte also highlighted the importance of the volunteers who keep the charity running.
“Volunteering offers a wonderful opportunity for everyone, and our volunteers – me included – get as much out of it as they put in. It gives an opportunity for people to try new things in a safe environment.”
Current Chair of Trustees James Puttick paid tribute to her contribution.
He said: “Charlotte’s dedication, passion, and drive have been instrumental in shaping Big Breakfast Plus into the organisation it is today. Quite simply, our key achievements over recent years would not have happened without her leadership.
“As I continue in my role as Chair, I hope I and my fellow trustees will do justice to the legacy she leaves behind.”
Before joining Big Breakfast Plus, Charlotte served for seven years as Chair of Governors at New College Swindon and played a key role in its merger with Swindon College. She also founded and ran the communications training company Quicklearn.
Now aged 80, she plans to spend more time cycling, swimming and enjoying time with her grandchildren, leaving behind a charity that has become a lifeline for hundreds of people across Swindon.
