About Us

The SNU Trust

The SNU Trust was founded in 1926 as a type of mutual building society for churches affliated to the Spiritualists National Union (SNU). The Trust operates independently of the SNU with it’s own Board of Trustees and supporting staff.

Whilst we work closely with the Union, there are no circumstances under which SNU Trust funds can become the property of the Union or become liable for the debts of the Union. The SNU Trust’s accounts are kept separately from those of the Union and are audited annually by professional accountants.

The SNU Trust offers competitive rates on all savings products designed with the needs of our members in mind. Members are also able to access loans as often High Street banks are unable or unwilling to lend to churches. Grants are available from the Ray Taylor Memorial fund to help member churches in need.

By investing with the SNU Trust, churches are investing in the future of Spiritualism.

Chairman

Tim Coombe

Chairman

Tim has been a Spiritualist all his life but only realised this when he joined Bodmin church in 2006. He soon joined the committee, eventually serving as Treasurer and Secretary. He has also served as Treasurer, Secretary and President of the South Western District Council, and spent two years on the SNU National Executive Committee with responsibility for churches under support. He became a Trustee of the SNU Trust in 2019.

SNU Trustees

Ken Smith

Trustee

Ken Smith is a lifelong spiritualist and has been a Trustee of the SNU Trust since 2013. He is Treasurer of East London District Council as well as the President of Norwich church. Since retirement Ken works for an award-winning horticulture business based in Suffolk.

Minister Myrrha Hibbert

Trustee

Myrrha has been a Spiritualist for 45 years, became a Minister in 2007 and served as a prison chaplain for many years. She has served on numerous SNU committees including Education, Training and Awards and the NEC. On a local level Myrhha has experience of being President of both Eastwood Church and East Midlands District Council. As a Minister of the Union Myrrha is passionate that all churches are aware of the financial advice and help the Trust can give them.

Pat Seymour OSNU

Trustee

Pat became a member of Croydon Church in 2002, she became an Accredited Healing Medium in 2005 and eventually went on to serve at the Healing Leader for her church. Pat joined the church committee serving as both the Treasurer and then Vice-President. Pat has also served on the East London District Council as their Education representative, as well as acting as a Support Officer.

In 2016 Pat became an Officiant and went on to serve as a prison chaplain. In 2018 she was invited to join the SNU National Executive Committee and served for 4 years as Director of Church Support.

Richard Cullen

Trustee

Richard retired in 2019 having worked as an IT Consultant for over 30 years and became a Spiritualist in 2005 after being a healer with the National Federation of Spiritualist Healers (now The Healing Trust). After joining the SNU, Richard qualified as an SNU healer as healing is his passion. He is currently a member of Paignton Spiritualist Church and part of the healing team.

Richard has served Southwestern District Council for many years taking on various positions and in 2021 became the Healing Representative. Covid had resulted in a backlog of trainees waiting to be upgraded to accredited healer and by 2024, Richard and his team had reinvigorated the healing community within the District.

SNU Staff

Lesley Gilbey

Finance Manager

Lesley has worked in the banking and finance sector for many years and joined the SNU Trust in 2006. She works closely with the accounting team to produce the accounts for the SNU Trust and is responsible for the overall day-to-day running of the charity.

Julie Rogers

Finance Administrator

Julie joined the SNU Trust in 2011 and is the contact point for churches who make withdrawal requests from their account held with the SNU Trust. She also liaises with churches to help them invest their members funds in a way that gives the flexibility they need whilst maximising the interest earned.

Nadine Young

Accounts Assistant

Nadine provides accounting support to the accounts team and is the contact for members wishing to update their signatory and contact details.