Chats with the Trinity team - Tilly

A conversation with Trinity Trustee, Tilly Moorthy

For our latest chat in the series where we get to know the Trinity team, we chatted with Otthulaippu Group Leader and Trinity Trustee, Tilly Moorthy. Read on to learn more about the Otthulaippu group, and how Tilly supports our Nursery development as a valued Trustee.

Hi Tilly! You've been supporting us for some time now. Exactly how long have you been involved with Trinity?

It's been almost a decade now! I've been part of Trinity since January 2017.

You're a Group Leader and a Trustee at Trinity, can you tell us a bit about what those roles involve and whether/how they overlap?

I am one of the volunteers of the Tamil Community Centre (Charity Registered in UK) for East London and founder of Otthulaippu (Charity Registered in Sri Lanka). 

As a volunteer advocacy worker since 2016, we support and guide Tamil language speaking community on various topics including translation of documents, interpreting, supporting domestic abuse victims, safeguarding, child protection, providing support to alcohol/drug abuse victims, communication with social services and raising awareness of health and wellbeing. 

Safeguarding and child protection are the main topics that overlap with my role as Trustee for Trinity Centre as well as developing and monitoring the staff members of the Trinity Day Care Nursery, in addition to the general duties of a Trustee.

Can you share a bit about the history and purpose of Otthulaippu group?

'Otthulaippu' was formally launched in UK in 2014. Otthulaippu means collaboration/cooperation/working together in Tamil Language. We support already established non-government, government organisations and academic institutions in Sri Lanka by coaching their employees and communities to motivate and develop their skills to enhance productivity.

We also conduct awareness sessions of current socially hot topics and issues faced by our communities including violence against women and girls, mental health, health and well-being, social-media misuse etc.

What's the best thing, in your opinion, about the Trinity Centre?

It's welcoming and friendly, with the beautifully kept garden and clean environment for groups of any size (from smaller groups of a few people to much larger groups like ours) to get together, with options to choose the most suitable venue within. It's very conveniently located in terms of public transport and for the various community groups living and around Newham.

What do you do outside of your role with Trinity?

After a span of 25 years in Investment Banking as a Risk Manager, I am now self employed, managing my own investment portfolio for income. I am also occupied with my role as community advocacy volunteer. 

What's your favourite memory of, or related to, Trinity Centre?

We do not get funding to manage our group, apart from my own personal contributions, and we will never forget the director Mr Paul Chelliah's kindness in accommodating our small group in this beautiful space without any ongoing charges.

On a more personal note...

Can you tell us something you're really good at?

I would say my ability to quickly grasp and understand something in detail/in depth and planning and organising events from a charity's perspective.

Tilly (far right) at an Inter Faith Week event

Can you tell us something about yourself that our community may not know?

I am proud of my heritage and culture. Having learnt Carnatic classical music, Bharatanatyam classical dance and Hindu spirituality (Vedanta) at different timelines in my life, thanks to my parents and teachers, this experience has fulfilled and enriched my life to be able to happily contribute to society without any expectations.