The new Mayor of Richmond upon Thames and their chosen Deputy were formally announced last night at a meeting of Richmond Council.

Cllr Suzette Nicholson, a Liberal Democrat Councillor for Hampton, became the 58th Mayor of the royal borough and will serve on a twelve month term alongside her husband, Dr John Nicholson, who shall be her consort, and Cllr Fiona Sacks from the Barnes ward, who will serve as Deputy Mayor.

The former Deputy Chair of Education and Children's Services in Richmond, has chosen Age UK Richmond and Twickenham-based SEEN as the charities she will support during her Mayoral Term.

Age UK Richmond supports and provides a wide range of services to those aged 55 and over, who live in the borough. The charity encourage local older people to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives, by providing information, advice, activities and events for older people, their families and carers.

SEEN, formerly known as Crossway, provides mental and emotional wellbeing support for women and their partners after experiencing pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic/molar pregnancy, termination and baby loss. 

Commenting on her chosen charities, the new Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Nicholson said: "I have chosen Age UK Richmond as I have known for some time the many different things they do for the many elderly residents in the Borough. One part of their work is to help those with dementia. This has been a close concern of mine as both my mother and mother-in-law died with dementia last year. Many of our residents are affected by this. Also, AGE UK gives assistance to people who need a little help in living more fulfilling lives when age is making things harder. 

"SEEN (previously the Crossway Pregnancy Advice) is a local Charity that supports women facing an unplanned pregnancy. It also supports women and their partners facing the trauma of pregnancy loss. Their work has expanded to teach relationship and sex education in schools and youth clubs and a relationship course in prisons. The charity aims to build self-esteem and confidence. It provides accurate information, as well as emotional and practical support."

Gavin Shand, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Richmond, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as one of the Mayor's charities this year. Age UK Richmond staff and volunteers work so hard to provide much needed support to local older people across the borough, and we look forward to working with Cllr Nicholson to support and increase awareness of our work and partnerships."

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Fay Hamilton, Centre Director for SEEN, added: "SEEN are delighted to have been selected as one of the Mayor's chosen charities for 2023/24. We feel this is a wonderful accolade to the SEEN team, and look forward to attending the Mayor's events and raising awareness about our small local charity in Twickenham, who provide a safe space for those facing unplanned pregnancy and baby loss, and deliver RSE lessons to empower and nurture our community."

Cllr Nicholson replaces Julia Cambridge who had served as Mayor since May 2022. During her tenure, Cllr Cambridge raised over £16,000 for local charity Ruils and attended the organisation's 20th anniversary celebrations last week.