Meet our Foundation Lead!
For 16 years, Susan Spence has been an integral part of Manorview, dedicating her career to helping wedding couples experience the happiest day of their lives. Now, she’s channelling that same passion for people into her new role as the Manorview Foundation Lead, ensuring those facing some of life’s toughest challenges receive the care and support they need.
A spark which led to something bigger
Susan’s journey to becoming Foundation Lead was ignited through volunteering at The Hub in Coatbridge. She realised that at her core, she wanted to help - and the Manorview Foundation gave her the opportunity to do just that. Reflecting on the potential of the space at The Hub and her passion for people, she left with a conviction: I can make a difference.
What Susan’s role involves
As Foundation Lead, Susan is focused on ensuring the sustainability of the charity so it can continue delivering meaningful support. Her work spans fundraising, security grants and bringing projects to life. Beyond that, she connects with the community – listening to their needs through surveys, chatting to users of The Hub and joining local groups. Additionally, she works alongside other charities with common goals, providing them with access to The Hub’s facilities to expand their outreach.
Why the Foundation matters
For Susan, the Manorview Foundation is built on genuine care. She believes wholeheartedly in its mission to uplift those in need and provide a safe, welcoming space where people can access support without barriers.
Susan says: “I enjoy making other people’s day better, whether through providing a warm meal, a conversation over a cup of tea or a meaningful experience. I enjoy giving people the time to talk when they are having a bad day.”
The Foundation’s focus for 2025
As we look toward the future, Susan is excited about the direction the foundation is headed. In 2025, the foundation will focus on four key areas:
Manorview Pathways: Helping people living in poverty by providing work experience in Manorview venues, with the ultimate goal of employment.
Manorview Community: Creating a safe, warm space for people of all ages to gain valuable life skills to improve their everyday lives.
Manorview Roots: Tackling the root causes of poverty by offering support to the homeless, including food, clothing, and essential supplies.
Manorview Experiences: Providing memorable experiences for people in areas of deprivation, enabling them to enjoy our spaces and create lasting memories.
Strengths of the Foundation
Susan believes that the Foundation’s strength lies in its people, noting that the team at the heart of the Foundation, have come from a hospitality background, with their roles being to look after people and provide great experiences. This skill set is key in achieving our mission.
Susan further states: “The Foundation has been born from an ethos that we like to think differently. We are not confined to set standards and procedures – we dare to think differently and dare to do things differently. With this mindset, we can take down a lot of barriers in terms of what we can deliver.”
The facilities, like The Hub, are also vital in providing experiences and sessions that make a real difference in the community.
A vision for the future
In three years, Susan would “love to see our community hub helping more than 500 people a week from all walks of life. I want to see at least 100 individuals securing employment through Manorview Pathways initiative and aim to provide over 10,000 meals to the homeless and offer further support. We also want to provide 5000 people with lifetime experiences in our venues.”
Committed to making a difference
At the core of the Manorview Foundation’s work is the mission to help those experiencing hardship. Whether through providing safe spaces, tasty meals, support, or life-changing experiences. As Susan says: “We are here to make a real difference for those experiencing hardship, and we’re different because we’re not afraid to do things differently.”
For community organisations and charities looking to partner, we are always open to working with like-minded charities that share the mission of tackling poverty. Together, the greatest impact can be made.