The operation of Centre 81 is overseen by a board of trustees that includes members of the Skills and Activities Centre , carers and professional supporters with experience in business, finance, health, social services and marketing.

Chair – Vacant

Karl Jermyn
Karl became involved with Centre 81 in 2008, using his experience as a chartered accountant to help us develop our financial expertise. In September 2012 Karl was elected chair of the board of trustees and three months later formed the focus and delivery group tasked with creating a new Centre 81 with the space and specialist facilities required to meet the needs of our members for the future. Karl remained as Chair until January 2020 and remains an active member of the trustee board keeping a watchful eye over our finances.

Sarah Flindall
Sarah is a local General Practitioner and wanted to be a doctor to help people. Sarah is constantly in awe of how clever and resourceful her patients and community are. Sarah is aware that she is not able to make everyone better and being isolated and dependent makes people less resilient, more stressed and more likely to be unwell. Sarah loves Centre 81’s ethos – ability not disability, every member and the team believe in working together and says ‘How can I not be part of the movement’.

Cindy McQueen

Cindy was born in Cobholm, Great Yarmouth and has worked in the care industry for more than 30 years. Cindy is a mother of two sons, one of which has special needs and attends Centre 81 and this has prompted Cindy to want to help and has become a Fundraiser and Trustee.

Joanna Jones 

Jo is an experienced chartered accountant and has been involved with Centre 81 since 2024, becoming involved in the recruitment process for our new CEO. Jo was appointed as a trustee in the Autumn of 2024. Jo’s experience in the voluntary sector includes time as a trustee of the local arts festival and Chair of Governors at a local primary school. Outside of work Jo is a rugby mum, allotmenteer and loves travelling to Greece.

Robert Caley

Rob is originally from Hull, but has spent all of his adult life in Norfolk. Rob spent most of his working career in the sale of soft drinks across all consumer markets. In Rob’s final 10 years with Coca Cola Rob and his team ran the wholesale sales force across the central part of the UK. Rob looked for a career change during his mid fifty’s and joined Centre 81 as a volunteer and then became an assistant facilitator. After twelve years Rob left Centre 81 in August 2024. Rob says ‘I am delighted to be re-engaging with Centre 81 and looking forward to working with everyone involved to help develop the organisation.

Centre 81 is fortunate to have five highly distinguished and committed patrons, whose support is invaluable.

Lady Dannatt MBE
Lady Dannatt, who is Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, trained as a counsellor and worked with the charity Relate in GPs’ surgeries, where she came across many people battling with mental health problems.

She and her husband, retired British Army officer and former Chief of the General Staff, Lord Dannatt, have raised large sums for military charities. Lady Dannatt was made an MBE for her part in raising £5m in just nine months to provide places for the families of military casualties to stay while their loved ones were treated in hospital.

She was born into the Gurney family which founded Barclays Bank at the end of the 19th Century. She was educated at Tudor Hall boarding school in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and met her husband at Durham University, where they were both undergraduates.

“What do I love best about Centre 81? It has to be the people of, course, the feeling that every single person who comes through the door is welcomed and valued as the precious individuals they are. Everything flows from that … the fun, the laughter, the achievements, often huge achievements, the friendships … it all comes from that singular acceptance from the moment you come through the door. Diana and her remarkable team make certain that is the case, and for them and all they achieve we can only be profoundly grateful.”

Henry Cator OBE FRICS DL
Henry Cator is a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk and High Steward of Great Yarmouth. He has lived in Norfolk all his life and worked as a land agent for over 30 years. A former managing partner at the Norwich office of Francis Hornor & Son, he was subsequently chairman of a development consultancy firm until launching his own company in spring 2007.

He is chairman of the Association of Drainage Authorities and Broads Internal Drainage Board and a trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. He was chairman of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association for 10 years and was its president for 2009. Henry was awarded an OBE in the 2008 Birthday Honours List for his services to the community in Norfolk.

“The work that Centre 81 carries out in the local community is invaluable to so many in need. This work is only possible as a result of the time, work and commitment given by so many volunteers and our own dedicated staff. I pay tribute to them all and thank them sincerely for all that they do. It is amazing what a team can achieve – together we can!”

Lady Clare Agnew DL
Lady Agnew lives near Great Yarmouth. She was born in Cley windmill and raised in East Norfolk before moving to London for several years. Clare is an advisor to the Citizens Advice Bureau in Norwich, Stalham and Mitcham and is on their development board. She is on the Advisory Council of the Norfolk Churches Trust, managing three Stately Car Boot sales and many other fundraising events for them. In addition to Centre 81, Clare is patron of Norfolk Home-Start and Winterton Marine Cadets, and a trustee of Community Chaplaincy Norfolk. She was High Sheriff in 2019-20 and a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk.