Helen Froud takes up a commanding role at Inverness Salvation Army
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The Salvation Army in Inverness has a new commanding officer.
Former military officer Helen Froud took on the role during lockdown and is enjoying virtually meeting people – or talking to them at the end of her garden.
The 56-year-old ex deputy chief executive of Western Isles Council said the move was a good one for herself and family.
“My husband Mark and I moved with our children to Stornoway from Birmingham, where I had been working in local government,” she said. “So the Highlands and Islands are not completely new to me.”
Ms Froud, originally from Essex, said she had worked in various careers after originally studying at university in Aberystwyth, before military training at Sandhurst. She was a Royal Logistics Corps Officer before working in local government.
Ms Froud said she studied part-time for Salvation Army exams at the William Booth College, something she feels allowed her to more easily step from her full-time career into church ministry.
Ms Froud was at a Salvation Army Corp in Aberdeen before moving to Inverness. “It was quite difficult to come in and not be able to meet with new people because the restrictions on gatherings made it impossible,” she said. “I knew that other people from Inverness felt that as well.
“So we had to find ways to keep in touch. People have been lovely.
“I have been calling it ‘the ministry at the end of people’s gardens’.”
Ms Froud said that she has been reaching out to everyone connected to the church with a letter, and an online church service each week.
“We have been delighted with the response as several hundred people have been joining us. It is fantastic and it has made us think about how we reach people.
“We are anxious to make sure that people do not feel as though they are alone through all this. We have continued to help those who need food, or a hot meal, and some of our groups are continuing to take place.
“On some days we have helped more than 50 people. There is always room for more.”
• Ms Froud can be contacted by email on inverness@salvationarmy.org.uk
