19/05/2026
An open statement from Paula Tuff, Director of the Prout Bridge Project.
Whilst it is with some sadness that I write this, it is also with pride that we have reached our 10 year
anniversary and that Prout Bridge is in a stable financial position to move into a new era. I have decided that it is
time to take a lesser role within Prout Bridge and hand over the reins of Director to someone who will take the
charity forward into a new chapter. When I and my supporters and friends decided to start this charity we had no
idea where it would lead us or if it would succeed. I hope that Gil Streets and Mike Jupp, who both had
unshakeable belief in me, would be proud of what we have achieved and they would understand my decision to
step aside. We all get older and I am no exception. There comes a time when we have to recognise that we need
to slow down and take some time for ourselves and I have reached that time. I am really hopeful that we will find
someone who will step into my role, who will come with new ideas, excitement and enthusiasm and take Prout
Bridge into the future. I will fully support them for the first 6 months, at which point I will step down to Mental
Health Support & Grant Writing Manager and will still be available to support the new Director if needed.
I want to thank those who have been with me from the start, in particular Henrietta Collins who has been by my
side through good and difficult times, to those who believed in what we were building from the start, Jo Robins
(remembering sitting in her house with Henri trying to come up with a name for the charity), Joy Edwards and
Jeanette Benton and Gil and Mike, who are sadly no longer with us and to Melvyn Courtney, a wonderful,
supportive youth worker who recently passed away. I truly believe that together we have built a charity to be
immensely proud of in Beaminster and know that it will continue to be so with the support of a strong group of
Trustees, staff and volunteers.
Thank you to everyone. I’m not running off into the sunset. I will always support the Prout Bridge Project. This isn’t
goodbye just an opportunity to take some time to enjoy life for myself.
Paula Tuff