There are two new but familiar faces on the team at Active and In Touch, Frome's charity that helps combat loneliness and isolation.

Active and In Touch is delighted to welcome Tracey Rawlins as its Community Fundraiser. Although newly in post, Tracey is already well known in Frome and the surrounding area, having moved here seven years ago along with husband John and children Grace and Jude.

Originally from South Wales, with a background in Recreation and Leisure Management, Tracey's passion for the theatre is very evident and has been utilised in many ways. Her journey to Frome is via time on the south coast as Marketing Manager at the Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre. Here, her artistic leanings were also demonstrated during her time as a self-employed photographer.

Since her arrival in Frome, Tracey has whole heartedly supported the Frome Festival, and continues to run the extremely successful Food Feast. This annual event attracts so many people from Frome and further afield to sample and enjoy a wide variety of tasty dishes. You may well have also seen Tracey in the Cheese and Grain where, as Marketing Manager, she was responsible for organising and facilitating the running of events and raising its profile whilst additionally supporting the growing and increasingly popular markets. She has entertained on the stage with her roles as Edith in "Allo, Allo" at the Merlin Theatre, Ida Strauss in "Titanic" at The Memorial Theatre and Judy Steinberg in "It Shoulda been You" at Cooper Hall.

Based on her considerable previous experience and many successes, Tracey has ambitious plan for Active and In Touch including larger scale events and leading on a Friends' Membership Scheme. Dougie Brown, A&IT's Director of Services commented 'A&IT is very lucky to have Tracey on board as our Community Fundraiser. She is dynamic and energetic with an infectious positivity and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. We are looking forward to her being an integral part of A&IT's future'.

If you would like to hear more about Tracey's ideas or wish to make suggestions for fundraising events, she can be contacted via [email protected]

Active and In Touch has become even more active as a result of the recent amalgamation with Frome Community Drivers.

At the helm, or should that be the steering wheel of FCD is Morag Stuart. Born in Worcester, Morag lived near to the beautiful Malvern Hills at Birchwood Lodge, one of Elgar's "retreats" and where part of the "Enigma Variations" were composed. She remembers fondly visitors on the Elgar Trail, including providing afternoon tea parties.

Morag originally trained as a teacher at Warwick University but her path led her to Cambridge and an Arts Management Course where upon undertaking work experience in the theatre, she decided that this was the dream she wished to follow. For about six years she had an amazing position and a wonderful time at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham progressing from the Box Office to Administrator of Education and Outreach.

Relocating to Bath to be with her husband Keith, a Frome author, Morag proceeded to a post with The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and was involved with residentials, performing at The Royal Albert Hall and The Barbican to name but two.

Moving to Frome, and with the birth of her sons, Zac and Albie, Morag's skills and talents allowed her to re-focus on setting up a pre-school Arts Club in Frome which, in her modestly stated way, "got very busy"! Alongside Black Swans Art, Morag's desire to support volunteering reached fruition and from 2016 onwards she managed and co-ordinated volunteers and administration for Young and Adults Open Arts Competition.

There Morag progressed to Frome Community Drivers, originally set up by Richard Fry. She loves this, especially being able to talk to and support the volunteer drivers and their passengers From. Now part of the Active and In Touch Team, Morag co-ordinates up to 150 journeys per month undertaken by a team of 20 drivers. These are largely to Frome Medical Practice and the Community Hospital, but also encompass the Royal United Hospital in Bath and Shepton Mallet Community Hospital. Volunteer drivers also devote time to shopping and prescription deliveries, with approximately 80-100 deliveries a month of the latter during Lockdown 3. Currently passengers are also being taken for their vitally important covid vaccines.

Morag says that she and her drivers are very much looking forward to being able to resume their "normal" service of facilitating shopping, taking people to hairdressers, visiting friends, attending exercise classes and enjoying social groups once the pandemic regulations are relaxed.

As always, if anyone is interested in volunteering for Active and In Touch please do contact [email protected] for further information.