Who We Are

Kate Brookes

Salisbury Coordinator

Kate has worked in the charity sector for many years and has a strong interest in volunteering. Having moved to Salisbury in 2003 she spent seven years as Chief Executive of the Citizens Advice Bureau, overseeing a large team of volunteers, before moving to a part-time role at Dorothy House Hospice Care. She is a volunteer with the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme and is a school Governor. Kate is passionate about the unique role volunteers can play in health and social care settings and the value this brings to everyone involved.

Carrie Wierszycki

Chippenham Coordinator

Carrie originally trained and worked in London firstly as a Registered General Nurse, eventually becoming Senior Sister in a Cardiac Unit, and then working for Southwark Social Services as a Manager of a Residential Care Home. In 2003 Carrie joined Carer Support Wiltshire and then Swindon Carers Centre. Carrie has lived in Chippenham for over 20 years and is pleased to be back working in her local community. She find's it rewarding to work for organisations that strive to achieve the best for people and is excited to be joining Care Home Volunteers and, with the volunteers, playing a part in enriching the lives of care home residents.

Jeni Burchell

Swindon Coordinator

Jeni started her working life by training as a nurse both in a hospital and in the community. Over the past 20 years Jeni has worked as a CEO/senior manager in three charities including Mediationplus and Carers Support. Throughout her career, Jeni have always recognised and supported the huge contribution and difference that volunteers make, not only to the organisations that she has worked in, but the charitable sector as a whole; many charities simply would not operate at all without the commitment and support of volunteers. Jeni is really pleased to be working with the Care Home Volunteers team in developing this new, exciting and much needed service.

Amanda Noble

Adviser/Trainer

Amanda is an accomplished Consultant/Trainer in Adult Social Care, with expertise in service development. Responsible for the recruitment, training and ongoing support of volunteers, Amanda is committed to promoting the wellbeing of older people. Amanda is a registered nurse, with extensive operational and management experience within the independent sector, regulation and the NHS. Her leadership skills and ability to deliver have been recognised throughout her career. Amanda continues to provide training/consultancy for providers, local authorities and care associations. Motivated to make a positive difference for people using services, Amanda remains committed to supporting excellence in care.

Norman Edwards

Trustee & Chair

Norman is Chair and a founding member of Care Home Volunteers. His background is in education and he has been a teacher, education consultant and a chair of governors. Both his parents and other family members have been in residential care. Norman believes that volunteers can bring happiness and friendship to older people in care, and complement the kindness and compassion that care home staff provide for their residents.

Paula Marriott

Trustee

Paula is Treasurer of Care Home Volunteers. Paula is a qualified accountant with a background in the commercial sector. She has used her financial, strategic and analytical skills to manage businesses and devise and implement viable business plans. Much of her career has been spent with KPMG. She is interested in supporting charitable organisations to fulfil their objectives in a financially viable way. She is particular keen to contribute to improving the lives of the vulnerable, both young and old.

Christopher Arnold

Trustee

Christopher, now retired, was in education becoming Headteacher of a comprehensive school and then a Schools Inspector and teacher trainer. Both Christopher’s mother and mother in law were in residential care and he is aware that despite good care, many other residents were lonely and unfulfilled. He has seen the enormous difference that a chat or simple act of kindness could make to people who have led significant and interesting lives whatever their background or experience.

Christine Arnold

Trustee

Christine, now retired, formerly worked as a nurse and then as a Health Visitor. Christine believes that trained, committed volunteers can help make life worth living by sustaining the connections and joys that matter to the residents. From her experiences of her own mother in a care home, and getting to know other residents, their families and carers, Christine has seen how the good and safe care provided by care homes can be enhanced by befrienders, and can add meaning to the lives of residents.

Keith Trowbridge

Trustee

Keith is the proprietor of an award-winning nursing home, recently judged outstanding by CQC. He has long experience in the care sector and has general, mental and psychiatric nursing qualifications. He also is the managing director of three companies that provide home care, nursing services and training. Keith adds a clear business sense and direction to our organisation as well as provides the voice of care home managers in our work.

Alison Radevsky

Trustee

A voluntary sector professional with over thirty years’ experience in a range of strategy and marketing functions, Alison has worked and volunteered in many local and national charities, as manager, director, trustee or consultant. Currently, she is a trustee and chair of grants policy at the Wiltshire Community Foundation, provides governance and strategy support to charities through the Cranfield Trust, conducts grant assessment visits for the Henry Smith charity, fundraises for Julia's House Children's Hospice and runs monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for isolated elderly guests through Contact the Elderly. In addition to her volunteering, Alison works as a consultant and facilitator for The Webusability Partnership, and as a qualitative interviewer and analyst for several research and evaluation companies.

Rachel Davis

Trustee

Rachel is a financial services professional with ten years marketing experience for a leading global insurance company. She is also a Dementia Friends Champion and the Vulnerable Customer Champion for her organisation which has involved working with charity partners including the Alzheimer’s Society. Rachel brings a passion for improving the lives of vulnerable people in our communities as well as a creative marketing brain, strong communication skills and commercial acumen.

Heather Alleyne

Trustee

Heather started her working life in education and then within the voluntary sector before qualifying as a social worker. Her most recent post was Head of Service for Adult Safeguarding and Quality Assurance for a local authority. Heather brings a knowledge of safeguarding and the legal framework surrounding it, together with a good understanding of risk assessment and the Mental Capacity Act.

Heather has visited many nursing and residential care homes and brings an understanding of the needs of vulnerable residents and the importance of maintaining interests and links with the outside community for an improved quality of life. It is for this reason that she is delighted to be a trustee of the Care Home Volunteers.

Natalie Levin

Trustee

Natalie is a fundraising professional with over ten years’ experience in the charity sector. She also volunteers with two sail training charities and is a trustee with a grant-making charity in the outdoor education sector. Natalie is keen to bring her fundraising and marketing skills to Care Home Volunteers to ensure that older people continue to enjoy friendship and companionship with the support of fantastic volunteers.

Who We Are

Meet the Team

Trustees