Meet Ailsa
Tell us a bit about yourself
I enjoy seaglass and beaches, (growing up in North of Ireland), anything artsy and sporty, reading, and gardening.
I've been in the social enterprise / charity sector for a long time and have experience with fundraising, creative production of wellbeing programmes, and everything else that comes with working in smaller organisations!
What inspired you to join Bath Women's Fund?
Emma helped me get a Lloyds Bank Foundation grant when I was fundraising at Bath Mind, and I've since followed all of her amazing philanthropic achievements. Bath Women's Fund appealed as it emphasises the importance of local projects having access to locally generated finance and support networks. I also like it that younger people in charities can be given opportunities to present, speak, and be involved in helping their charity get funding. I get a buzz from visiting and finding out more about all the excellent work and projects going on all around us, and I always learn something new or surprising at every event.
What are the issues that you are most passionate about?
I care about people and fair access to opportunities, particularly in the arts and sports. I really love seeing people come together, get stuck in, and create something (ideally in a muddy, earthy way!). I've helped build cob, strawbale and earthship structures, and once ran an eco-arts company in my twenties. I work alongside my husband landscaping with Eaglestone Gardens - if you ever need your garden done!
What would you be most interested in learning about as a Bath Women's Fund member?
I'm most interested in learning about what makes other people tick, what makes them happy, and what amazing complementary skill sets people have to make things happen.
What is your favourite place/thing to do in and around Bath?
I enjoy relaxing in my Monksdale allotment, playing football with the Bath City Football Foundation / Bath Mind group, or just cycling all over Bath on my bike enjoying the incredible views. Noya's Kitchen, Pinxto, and Corkage would be my places of choice for a treat. All very yummy.