Celebrating International Women's Day 2023

An incredible history of innovation and a fascinating story of pioneering women spearheading the charity for 80 years.

THE PIONEER – Elspeth Sitters OBE

Arriving in the city in 1942, Mrs Sitters quickly identified that as a direct result of the Blitz that had devastated so much of the City, ‘home’ was often dilapidated back rooms, attics or even in sheds. Elspeth soon became acutely aware of the plight of those she visited and came face to face with poverty, loneliness and deprivation. Visiting older people in their own homes and helping them in whatever way she could, wartime petrol rationing meant doing her rounds on a bicycle over Plymouth’s notorious hills. Elspeth set about seeking ways in which she might make an effective contribution to the welfare of the City’s elderly residents, she helped to set up old peoples’ clubs in places such as church halls. In 1943, a voluntary visiting scheme began, helping to relieve the loneliness of those unable to leave their homes.

In 1963, Elspeth Sitters was appointed Chairman of the Old Peoples’ Welfare Committee. By then, there were 149 home helps caring for 755 old people each week. The ‘Monday Day Centre’ began on 17th November 1969 with 17 ‘guests’, manned entirely by volunteers, including drivers who transported people to and from home, the day centre was soon catering for 40 people.

In 1976, Plymouth’s Project for Age Action Year was launched with the aim of raising funds for the Elspeth Sitters Reablement Centre, by now open five days a week. Elspeth wanted older people to have a new centre of their own where they could meet, be cared for and enjoy activities. On Tuesday 13th April 1982, Elspeth Sitters House opened its doors to the public. Elspeth Sitters House was soon a hive of activity - offering day care, advice and information, lunches and morning coffee, activity groups such as dancing, yoga, whist, art and craft.

Holidays for those in need of support were now being arranged twice a year, with volunteers accompanying the group to assist guests. Mrs. Sitters was presented with the O.B.E. in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the elderly in need and her services to the City. In 2022, Age UK Plymouth celebrated the 80^th anniversary since the start of Elspeth’s work in the city, today the charity’s values of trust, compassion and innovation are based on the founding principles of Mrs Sitters’ work.

THE PHILANTHROPIST – Patricia Venton

In 1988, a phone call was received that was to have a major effect on the Charity! Mr. Brian Hillman-Liggett, a solicitor acting on behalf of a Mrs. Patricia Venton, called to say that his client wanted to have a centre built in memory of her husband, William, who had been born and brought up in Plymouth.

A steering group was formed and various site options visited and considered. With the final decision made by Mrs. Venton, it was eventually decided to purchase the former Astor Institute site at Mount Gould on which to build a brand new, prestigious, centre - The William & Patricia Venton Centre. Construction began in 1991 and decisions were made in close liaison with Mrs. Venton, who would travel from her home in Eastbourne to view progress. The entire project, eventually cost £3.2 million – and changed the Charity forever.

On 24th August 1992, in the Charity’s Golden Jubilee Year, the prestigious William & Patricia Venton Centre opened its doors to the public. At a celebratory lunch, on 28th November 1992, the centre was officially opened by Mrs.Venton. As a ‘thank you’ for undertaking the project, Mrs.Venton offered to pay the outstanding building costs of the Charity’s Plymstock centre.

THE VISIONARY – Diane Cains

Diane Cains joined Old Peoples’ Welfare at the end of the 1960’s as the Accommodation Officer. She was appointed Day Centre Organiser in 1976 working, initially, at King Street Methodist Church and then Elspeth Sitters House.

Appointed as Director of Care Services in 1987, she played a major role in the planning of The William & Patricia Venton Centre. A self-contained unit on the lower floor of the centre was originally planned as offices but, Diane instigated plans to utilise the area by introducing a Dementia Care Service offering day care, activities and advice for those suffering from Dementia. Starting one day a week in the Autumn of 1993, demand for the service soon required a five-day operation! Age UK Plymouth’s Dementia Day Centre, now housed at The William Venton Centre in Plymstock is the city’s only dedicated dementia day centre.

Diane was at the forefront of many projects and innovative care services and is credited as the visionary behind the River View Centre which opened in 1997 adjacent to the existing Mount Gould facility. Boasting views of estuary wildlife and the grounds of Saltram House, the Centre hosted 20 day care places, seven days a week with overnight respite accommodation.

Diane retired in 1999 after thirty years with the Charity but continued to serve as a Trustee.

THE COLLABORATOR – Heather Stenning

Heather graduated from Plymouth University in 2006 and since then has consistently worked in the third sector, passionate about supporting those who need to access free or low-cost support and delivering outcomes that make a real difference.  After joining Age UK Plymouth in 2019 in her first role as a senior leader, the pandemic ensued swiftly after and led to unchartered territory for Heather and the charity. 

As Head of Services, Heather has steered the growth of services in unprecedented times, reacting to the needs of the community and led the refurbishment of the William and Patricia Venton Centre to enable the introduction of the City’s Short Term Care Centre.  With a talent for fostering relationships with key stakeholders, Heather was pivotal in negotiating a new commissioned Discharge Support Service, supporting patients being discharged out of care settings across the City. 

Having recently completed a Masters of Business Administration, Heather thrives on challenge and cites variety and a sense of achievement as part of what drives her forward. “The role is so varied, from time with my team, to networking with other key stakeholders where ideas grow and become reality,” says Heather. “Having a leadership role enables me to think strategically and take a holistic approach to service delivery. I have always lived locally to Plymouth and I love to help those that also live in this special part of the world.”