As a non-profit sector specialist, Renny Gye has spent more than thirty years volunteering with a variety of organisations, primarily in the fields of housing, homelessness and international development. They have ranged from small community groups to multi-million pound national and international NGOs.
As well as an enthusiastic long-standing visitor and Great Friend of Lighthouse, she is a grandmother to seven under-fives who also finds time to serve lunch to homeless people in Poole, be involved in her church, host a Ukrainian family, teach English as a second language, support a family of Afghan refugees, and do all the normal stuff of social life, home and family.
Why did you first start coming to Lighthouse and when?
I started coming to Lighthouse when I first moved to Poole from Oxford in 2017. I was delighted to find such a vibrant arts venue on my doorstep.
What do you enjoy/value most about coming here?
I like the variety and particularly enjoy the BSO concerts. I have a season ticket and am a member too. I also like the panto and have been coming almost every year, usually with a group of church friends. Last year we introduced our Ukrainian guests to British panto at Lighthouse.
What are the best experiences/memories have you had here?
I have enjoyed coming to films with a group of friends from my philosophy and book groups. I have especially enjoyed the opera live from the Met in New York as I lived there in 1991 and went to every opera. It was wonderful to relive those days.
Why did you first join in to support us?
I believe strongly that if you can support your local non-profit arts venue, then you should. Without supporters it would not thrive. It also makes me feel more connected to everything that happens at Lighthouse.
How have you supported us and why in that way?
I am a Great Friend, which is a nice way of being connected and gives me a few little extras. I have also made a couple of major donations to support the wider work of Lighthouse.
What difference do you know/think you’re making to what we do?
My support helps Lighthouse particularly with its educational and outreach work.
What do you hope your support will help us to achieve?
I hope it will help Lighthouse continue to offer a wide range of activities and entertainments to a diverse group of people.
Why should others help support our work?
This is a wonderful local resource for all of us. Although we are not living in a city, we have this wonderful place of culture, fun, education and entertainment right on our doorstep. If you have the resources to support this, you should join me in giving what you can.
:: To find out more about Lighthouse Friends and ways to support Lighthouse and its work, visit https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/support-us/