The name Jo Barley will be well-known to any readers of this newsletter who have attended one of our Time To Retune retreats. As the CLSW retreat administrator, she has dealt with all the attendees, plus facilitators, venue staff, chefs and musicians since she came on board back in 2014. And the fact that our satisfaction rating over that time averages more than 90% is due in no small part to the wonderful way she has dealt with everything.
Jo has decide it is time to take off her administrator’s hat and she is stepping down from the end of November. Earlier this month, Donna Cook and Lisa Lea-Weston (Trustees) plus Alison Parmley, Colin Sutton and Maxine Sherrell (facilitators) held a tea-party for Jo, to thank her for all she has done for CLSW and to wish her well for the future.
Lisa is possibly the person who understands CLSW better than anyone. She began as a retreat attendee, moved on to being a fundraiser and finally joined the Trustees. Her thoughts on Jo Barley reflect those of everyone who’s met her in time at CLSW. “Jo transformed CLSW when she came on board with her calm and clear, deeply reliable approach. You always knew that people were properly supported from their first contact when people often feel really vulnerable. She has a rare mix of heart, intellect, kindness & use of language. Jo ‘knows’ the right thing to say and if you have ever been ‘thanked’ in one of her letters, you know what I mean.”
“Jo will be such a huge loss to the charity as her role is really so much more than being an ‘administrator’.” was the response from Maxine, on hearing the news. “In my experience of being a facilitator, the experience of the breaks was transformed when Jo came into post. Her fabulous organisational skills are built upon a foundation of deep care together with a capacity for attuned and sensitive interpersonal skills when dealing with both participants as well as others involved in the running of the breaks, all of which are of critical importance given the sensitive nature of the work the charity does. Jo’s wider ‘holding’ of the breaks has provided a much needed and valuable container within which we are able to facilitate, and which I am deeply appreciative of.”
Sarah Delfont (one of the CLSW founders and a facilitator for many years) said: “The charity has been incredibly fortunate to have had Jo on board for so long and I would echo all that Maxine has said. Jo will be sadly missed and I hope you are successful in finding the right person to replace her.”
Annie Greenacre from the facilitator team said: “Jo has been absolutely awesome… She offered her self to her role with so much heart. I have been really touched by her care.”
Our newest facilitator, Be Browne made this comment: “Thankyou Jo for all the dedication and love you have put into these retreats and although I have not yet met you in person your care and commitment and deep knowing through many years of hands-on experience is evident. You are irreplaceable but I’m sure a very capable, compassionate and caring person will be found to make the letting go feel like a good hand over.”
And a final word from Chair of Trustees, Donna Cook: “Jo Barley has been a central part of Cancer Lifeline South West for a long time and her contribution to the charity is huge. She will be missed and a hard act to follow. The Trustees wish her well for the future and are working hard to find a replacement who will build on Jo’s hard work over the years.”
