After an extremely challenging few weeks for SYCT, the trustees have an important update to share today regarding our CEO, Sylvia Tijmstra. Sylvia joined SYCT as our new CEO in July 2023 following a period of substantial growth in the charity’s areas of operation and the range of services we offered to the local community.
When Sylvia joined the charity, we were facing the twin challenges of both an increasingly difficult funding environment, as well as some parts of our services not living up to our expectations, either in terms of their financial viability or not always meeting the standards we set ourselves around providing inclusive, safe, sustainable, and high-quality services. These collective challenges mean that, some months ago, we recognised an urgent need to refocus our activities on our core charitable aims and professionalise our ways of working. It was only by doing so that we could ensure the high-quality service delivery that our community rightfully expects. We have been working hard behind the scenes to navigate our new reality and have had to make a number of difficult but necessary decisions over the past few months to ensure that SYCT can continue to provide valuable services to children and young people in and around Streatham. By refocussing our efforts on the Streatham-based community we were set up to serve and on the services we do best, we are able to make the most of our scarce resources and ensure we consistently deliver to the right standards.
The Board unanimously stands by the decisions it has made, but we also recognise that they are very disruptive to those directly affected by them. The closure of the nursery has met with very vocal, and at times personal, opposition from some parents, and we are very aware that this has damaged our relationship with parts of the community around Streatham Vale Park in particular. SYCT has been a central part of the Streatham Vale community for over a decade. We remain wholly committed to providing a range of services from the park, and the sad but necessary decision to close the nursery gives us greater flexibility to re-design our offering to meet the needs of all parts of the local community.
However, the current opposition to the nursery closure, and the way it is being characterised and pursued by some individuals, is putting SYCT’s relationship with the wider community at risk. Given the personal nature of this campaign, Sylvia has informed the Board that she feels it would be in the best interests of the community, as well as the charity, for her to step down and offer SYCT a fresh start under new leadership. The Board recognises the significant contribution Sylvia has and continues to make to SYCT.
However, it also acknowledges Sylvia’s concerns about the potential impact of the current situation on SYCT’s ability to support the wider Streatham community, as well as the personal toll this has taken on her and her family. As a result, the Board has reluctantly accepted Sylvia’s resignation. Sylvia has agreed to remain in post while her successor is sought to ensure a smooth transition and minimise disruption.
