Councillor Nancy Baldwin, Mayor of Richmond upon Thames for the year from May 2026, kindly agreed to be interviewed for this posting on EastSheenMatters. She has long had an interest in communities and the voluntary sector. After her previous term as Mayor in 2019 – 2020 she was appointed as Council Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities and the Voluntary Sector. She was instrumental in the Borough’s accreditation as a Borough of Sanctuary.

The focus of her year as Mayor is based on these interests.

The photo below reflects one of her passions. The St. Mary’s Ukrainian School opened in Ham in May 2023 with support from Richmond Council. It provides additional support for refugee children and families, who have fled from the Russian invasion. The school operates on Sundays offering Ukrainian language lessons as well as classes in Ukrainian literature, history and geography, allowing pupils to keep up with the Ukrainian national curriculum alongside their mainstream UK education.

The two borough charities, which the Mayor has chosen to support this year are: Cocoon Care After Care (www.cocooncareaftercare.org.uk ) and Skylarks (www.skylarks.charity )

Cocoon Care After Care focuses on care-experienced young adults aged 18–28 who live, study, or were previously looked after in the London Boroughs of Richmond, Kingston, or Hounslow. They offer practical, financial, and social assistance to help them transition successfully after leaving care. This includes help with day to day living, easing emotional and financial pressures, and reducing isolation which many young people feel when they leave care. Priority is often given to those aged 21+ who have no alternative sources of funding or support.

Skylarks provides free services and support for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with additional needs, and their families. Based in Richmond for twenty years, Skylarks provides a variety of activities, workshops, therapies and training as well as advice, information and support for the whole family. They offer support and advice relating to all aspects of Education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Cllr Baldwin is keen to emphasise that she is a civic mayor which is ceremonial and entirely apolitical. Along with championing their borough and their chosen charities, a civic mayor is responsible for chairing council meetings with impartiality – something Cllr Baldwin considers crucial to the role

If you are a local organisation who would like a visit or have a business which would like to support, promote or organise an event in support of the Mayor’s work or for further information contact her office at Mayor of the Borough – London Borough of Richmond upon Thames