Alice Sim is the new CEO of Suffolk charity Rural Coffee Caravan. Ahead of antiques expert Bunny Campione headlining fundraising event, The Curiosity Caravan on Sunday, on Sunday, Alice explains more
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Alice Sim, the new CEO of the Rural Coffee Caravan. Really, my role is about helping the charity continue doing what it does best – bringing people together. Whether that’s supporting our brilliant team and volunteers, building partnerships, securing funding, or visiting villages and meeting people face-to-face, it’s all focused on helping rural communities feel connected and supported.
What is your background?
Most recently, I worked in Adult Social Care at Suffolk County Council, but before that I worked in the charity sector. The thread running through my roles has been people. I’ve always been passionate about communities, helping people find support and creating opportunities for people to connect. That’s one of the reasons the Rural Coffee Caravan appealed to me so much – it’s a charity that makes a real difference through simple human connection.
For those not in the know, what is the Rural Coffee Caravan?
The Rural Coffee Caravan is a Suffolk charity that tackles loneliness and social isolation in rural communities. We take our caravan and motorhomes out to villages across the county, serving tea, coffee and cake, creating a welcoming space where people can sit down, have a chat and catch up with neighbours. Alongside that, we help people find information about local services, groups and support available to them.
It might sound simple, but a cup of coffee and a friendly conversation can make a huge difference, especially for people who live alone or have limited opportunities to get out and meet others.
How long have you been in the role and how are you finding following in Ann Osborn’s footsteps?
I’ve been in the role for about two months now and I’m absolutely loving it. I’ve inherited a charity with such a strong reputation and an incredibly dedicated team. Everyone is passionate about what they do and genuinely cares about the people we support, which is inspiring to be around.
One of my favourite things so far has been getting out to village visits, meeting volunteers and chatting to the people who come along. You quickly realise how important these visits are and how much they’re valued by local communities.
The biggest challenge, as for many charities, is funding. A lot of my time is spent building relationships with potential funders and looking for grant opportunities so that we can continue to deliver our services and plan confidently for the future.
What is happening early next month with The Curiosity Caravan event?
We’re really excited about The Curiosity Caravan, taking place on Saturday 5th July at Old Buckenham Hall School. This special fundraising event brings together fascinating objects, expert knowledge and plenty of community spirit – and tickets are just £20 per person, available now via our website.
We’re especially delighted to be welcoming Bunny Campione and Frances Christie from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, who will be carrying out valuations and sharing their expertise throughout the day. It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring along treasured heirlooms, unusual finds or family curiosities and discover the stories behind them.
Alongside the valuations, guests can enjoy afternoon tea, a live auction and a prize draw, making it a wonderful day out whether you’re a keen collector or simply curious about what might be hiding in your attic.
Best of all, every ticket sold helps support the Rural Coffee Caravan’s work tackling loneliness and isolation in rural communities across Suffolk. By joining us on 5th July, you’ll not only enjoy a memorable afternoon but also help keep our caravans on the road and reaching the people who need them most. We look forward to welcoming supporters old and new. To book your £20 ticket, visit our website today.
How can people find out more or get involved?
The best place to start is our website: ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk Whether you’d like to volunteer, donate, attend an event, invite us to your village or simply find out more about what we do, you’ll find lots of information there. We’re always delighted to hear from people who want to get involved.
What are your hopes and dreams for the Rural Coffee Caravan as the new CEO?
One of my biggest hopes is simply that more people hear about us. I’m constantly surprised by how many people don’t yet know what the Rural Coffee Caravan does, despite the impact we’ve been making in Suffolk for more than 20 years.
I’d love to secure enough funding to keep our wonderful team on the road for many years to come and to make sure we can continue supporting the communities that rely on us.
Looking further ahead, I’d love us to grow. There are so many villages and communities that could benefit from what we do, and it would be fantastic to increase our capacity so we can reach even more people.
At the end of the day, our work is about making sure nobody feels forgotten or alone. If we can help more people feel connected to their community, then that’s what success looks like to me
The Curiosity Caravan event will take place on Sunday 5 July, 2–5pm, at Old Buckenham Hall School near Bury St Edmunds. The event offers: Valuations from an expert team; The chance to uncover the stories and value behind your items, A prize draw to win a Boodles diamond pendant worth £5,000, A live auction. Guests can enjoy the afternoon in a relaxed but refined setting, with afternoon tea, a glass of fizz and the valuation of one item included in each £20 ticket. Additional items may be valued for a fee of £5 per item, payable on the day. The live auction will include the following lots: An oil painting, ‘Fireworks over River’, by Maggi Hambling; A luxurious overnight escape for two with dinner on the Euston Estate; A week’s stay for two at a riad in Marrakesh; An Anya Hindmarch Neeson cross-body designer bag. Book online via: ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk/the-curiosity-caravan, or by contacting info@ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk or calling 01284 663 472. If you can’t attend the event, you can still support the charity by buying a draw ticket for a chance to win the Boodles diamond pendant. Tickets are £20. Visit Rural Coffee Caravan.
Featured image of Alice Sim – supplied
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