Our People

I joined Citizens Advice Hart as Chief Officer on 26 April 2021 just as we were beginning to open the offices again after lockdown.

I trained as a Generalist Adviser at Citizens Advice Hart in 2016 whilst completing a Masters in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment (CBT). I experienced first-hand the incredible work done by the staff and volunteers in enabling people, often in desperate need of help, to transform their situations and be better informed and equipped to deal with life challenges. I have never forgotten that experience and always hoped to come back to Citizens Advice.

I am passionate about the work of Citizens Advice and have a relentless desire to make a difference in the community. I was delighted to be given this opportunity to use my varied skillset within the charity and work closely with a dedicated and committed team of staff, volunteers, and trustees to support our local communities.

What is your background?

After completing a Psychology degree at Loughborough University, I trained as a Homeopath before setting up my own business and later adding counselling skills to my portfolio. I continued my career in the charity sector, working for Basingstoke Counselling Service and then Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity. My previous post was leading an Admissions team at Lord Wandsworth College, which involved working with the Foundation, providing funded places for vulnerable children and transforming lives.

Who are you as a person?

Born in Somerset into a forces family, we moved around frequently but I have finally settled back in Odiham which I love – it has a fabulous community spirit.

I discovered a love of walking through joining the Hampshire Countryside Walks group which was set up by a friend in Fleet. Lacking any map reading skills of my own, it has been wonderful to be guided through the beautiful Hampshire countryside with a group of like-minded friends. More recently I can be found on the driving range as I endeavour to learn golf.

I have two grown-up children.

I joined Hart Citizens Advice in early 2018, initially as a volunteer before applying for a paid role. I volunteered as I wanted to contribute to the local community. I also thought it would be a useful experience for me personally, and might even provide a first step back into some kind of paid work. I didn’t have any experience in the enquiry areas we help clients with, but the training provided was excellent.

What is your background?

I used to work as a commercial solicitor/in a commercial advisory role but had a long career break when my children were born.

My first role at Citizens Advice Hart was on Adviceline, which was great experience because you get to help clients with the first stage of their enquiry. You gain experience in the full spectrum of enquiry areas. It involves lots of exploration and provision of initial information by way of phone – a really fulfilling role. I then trained as a Generalist Adviser, and now work as an Advice Session Supervisor where I support volunteers and staff in the provision of information and advice. It’s a great team of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and it’s a pleasure to work with them.

For eighteen months as a volunteer then 2 years as Project Manager for the Joining Forces for Families project and now working on projects in the core service.

Why work at Citizens Advice Hart?
I have always wanted to work for a charity and then this role came up – so I was able to work for a charity and utilise my work experience to help.

What is your experience?
I have lived and worked in the project environment most of my working life, initially in IT but latterly in organisational change. I worked in both public and private sector organisations. My last job before ‘retiring’ was at the Houses of Parliament. It was a fascinating place to work.

I like being part of new initiatives both in terms of developing people and practices. I am a qualified NLP practitioner – I will be surprised if anyone knows what that is!

Who are you as a person?
Well, I am married, have a ‘blended family’ of 5 children all now adults with their own homes. We also have seven grandchildren between us. I love my crafts and regularly knit, crochet, spin and dye yarn. I help to run a knit and knatter group. I also enjoy gardening and many other hobbies.

I joined Citizens Advice Hart as an Administrator for both offices in March 2019. When my children went to senior school I decided to go back to work but always felt I wanted to do something within my community. I was fortunate enough to work in local government for 15 years then, having decided it was time for a change, saw the advert for my current role.

What is your background?

I had a great time (and learning experience!) working for Yateley Town Council as the Finance and Admin officer dealing with members of the public as well as volunteers so felt my skills transferred quite well to my current job. Before that, when my children were young, I worked from home hiring hats for events such as weddings and Ascot. At the same time I volunteered as treasurer for the local football club and helped raise enough money to turn an old piece of landfill into football pitches for several adult and junior teams.

Who are you as a person?

I’ve been married for 34 years and have 2 grown up sons and a grandson, the apple of my eye!

I like to feel involved in the local community. Yateley, despite its size, is still thought of as a village. I volunteer for the Hampshire Countryside Rangers as a looker, someone who walks around Yateley Common looking for and checking on the Exmoor ponies.

I like walking, reading, music, theatre and travel… I’m always planning a trip somewhere!

How long have you worked at Citizens Advice Hart?

I have just started with Citizens Advice Hart and I love working with this team!

Why work at Citizens Advice Hart

I’ve always been very interested in social justice and have volunteered in the local community with many different groups since I was 16 (a long time ago!)  I’ve also campaigned on a number of global justice issues over the years and so I am very interested in our Research and Campaigns work.  I’ve seen the difference that good and timely advice can make to people’s lives (including mine!) so it is a real privilege to now work for CA which is highly respected in this sector.

What is your experience?

I have worked as a secondary school teacher, a Project Manager for the NHS and spent a number of years in the voluntary sector working with international aid agency CAFOD/Caritas.  This involved working with a large number of fantastic volunteers who were avid campaigners, fundraisers, speakers and educators which was hugely rewarding.  I was also lucky enough to work for Caritas Australia in Brisbane as I have dual nationality.  My last post was at Voluntary Action South West Surrey in Guildford where I again worked with a team of volunteers who signposted people to volunteering opportunities, services and social activities in the local area.  During this time I became very interested in advice work and started a Graduate Diploma in Law.

Who are you as a person?

I guess I am pretty much a family orientated person. I am Aunty to four children and Godmum to another six but at the moment most of my time is taken up with studying and I can’t wait for the summer break!   I loved working and living in Queensland in Australia a few years ago and hope to return one day even if it’s just for an extended holiday – hopefully with my niece and nephews in tow!

I decided to look for a job that would satisfy my desire to do something worthwhile. I found that role at Citizens Advice, helping people make their claim for Universal Credit. I am now in a role supporting the Jointing Force for Families team in providing the core CA service to the military and their families.

What is your background?

My father is American and my mother is British. I was born and raised in England and I’m a dual national, American and British.
I left school at 16 and worked in a bank in London. When I was 19, I enlisted in the US Air Force. I completed Basic Training in Texas, followed by tours in Ohio, the UK, Germany and California. One of my assignments was an AF Liaison officer at Heathrow airport, where I met my wife.
After 20 years in the Air Force I retired as a Senior NCO. I successfully applied for an Airport Duty Manager role at Southampton Airport, responsible for the day to day running of the Airport. Two years later, I became the Deputy Airfield Operations Manager, a role ensuring the safety of airfield operations.
I then moved to Heathrow as a project manager working on airfield construction projects.
After 13 years at Southampton and Heathrow airport I took early retirement giving me the opportunity to fulfil a life-long ambition to cycle across the USA, a three-month 4,300 mile journey.

Who are you as a person?

I am a keen cyclist and am a member of several cycling organisations. I like to watch sport especially cricket (and the Essex team). I am a keen cook. I also enjoy reading mainly historical books.

2 years

What is your background?

Volunteer Advisor at Citizens Advice Hart based in Fleet for 6 years before joining the JFFF project in the Yateley office. Prior to that forty years in the IT industry, latterly as a business manager for a variety of UK IT Services companies some of which still exist despite that.

Who are you as a person?
A trained mathematician and ever improving Bridge player. Lives in Hampshire with wife and cat. Down time, when not playing Bridge, is spent at the theatre, collecting military and political history books or relaxing with a good computer game.

I have been part of the Joining Forces for Families team since 2018. Initially as an assessor, I have recently returned to the team after maternity leave to assist the project with communications and project visibility.

What is your background?

With a degree in Journalism and a background in PR and sales, I am enjoying transferring my skills into the charity sector in a community that is close to my heart. Having lived as a dependant within the military community for the last 6 years and having recently become a mother, I am well placed to understand the unique issues families in the armed forces can face.

Who are you as a person?

I enjoy spending time with my family especially long walks with our big ginger dog. Being a military family, we move a lot and I enjoy exploring different parts of the UK and discovering national trust and English heritage properties along the way.

I have been volunteering with Citizen’s Advice Bureau for approximately three years. I have always worked with local communities in Canada and after relocating to Fleet I volunteered hoping I could offer to help in any way possible.

What is your background?

I am a retired Professor from the Fine Arts and Community Art Education Department. Along with Studio Art and Art history Lectures I also prepared students to work with the disadvantaged in community and homeless shelters. I volunteered and directed Concordia’s art workshops for inner city youth.

Who are you as a person?

I often remind myself that ‘but for the grace of God there go I’ I am a proud mother of three children, two sons with hearing and learning disabilities. I am a strong believer in community and providing, in any way possible, support or help to anyone who is in need.

I started volunteering in Hart in May 2019.
I have always been interested in other people and having the opportunity to help those requiring assistance really appealed to me. I work on our Adviceline and every day is different; you never know what issue you’ll get when you pick up the phone. I work with a really supportive group of people in our Yateley office; there is always someone to go to if I am unsure what to do.

What is your background?

I took early retirement May 2019 after spending most of my life working in IT and Learning & Development. I split my working life between public sector working for Surrey County Council and the private sector working at Microsoft and found the differences and similarities interesting.

Who are you as a person?

I have also volunteered with Samaritans for 11 years as a listening volunteer and I also run the training team in the branch.

I have two grown up kids and two grandchildren who I love spending time with. I’m also addicted to Formula 1 motor racing and was lucky enough to go to the Italian GP a couple of years ago.

I have volunteered for coming up to 4 years. I started volunteering as I enjoy helping people and it feels good to know that information I have provided may help to make someone’s life a little easier. I also enjoy interacting with my colleagues, learning new things and having the sense of purpose that volunteering provides.

What is your background?

I have worked in various different roles. Prior to having children I was a HR manager. After a short break whilst looking after the family I retrained as a pre-school teacher. I am also a qualified reflexologist!

Who are you as a person?

I enjoy spending time with family, gardening, reading, listening to music, walking and travelling. My happy place is walking along the beach or listening to live music.

I have been with Hart CAB Fleet for nearly three years and normally work one day a week in the Fleet office but am at present working from home for two mornings a week.

I love the friendly colleagues and the feeling of being part of a team. I find the work challenging and interesting and there is always something new to learn or find out about.
Most of the issues are very new to me as teaching was quite a protected environment.

I enjoy the contact with clients; usually on advice line, and I really liked the 1:1 contact when this was possible.

I am continuing with my training and am almost ready to be signed off as an advisor.

What is your background?

I am a retired secondary school teacher.

I always wanted to be a volunteer for Citizens Advice when I retired early, as I wanted to continue to use my teaching skills. I also wanted to learn something new and to continue to feel useful.

I have been volunteering for around 5 years following early retirement. I wanted to keep my brain active and healthy and to help other people so CA Hart seemed an obvious choice. After working for a large organisation I also felt I needed the camaraderie of like-minded people which I found at CA Hart. And there is enormous satisfaction helping someone whose problems seem insurmountable but after dismantling them brick by brick, you can help them find a way forward and truly move on.

What is your background?

I worked for 37 years in the defence industry, negotiating contracts with governments and organisations all over the world. I was lucky enough to travel to many different countries which I thoroughly enjoyed. Following retirement I realised that I still needed that regular change of scenery (and some sun!) and so we bought a small house in Spain which we visit regularly. I am currently learning Spanish which is not so easy at my age!

Who are you as a person?

I hope that I am a kind, considerate and caring person. I like to help others and outside of CA Hart frequently find myself researching information to help friends and family. I also volunteer for Cat’s Protection, an organisation which cares for and rehomes stray or abandoned cats, or those whose owners can no longer take care of them. I love cats, indeed any animals but sadly my time away from home means that it’s not fair to have any. Should I stop travelling in the future, my house will again be full of furry creatures!!

I have been working here for a couple of months as part of the Kickstart initiative, and am enjoying getting to know the team and helping them to support the wider community.

Why work at Citizens Advice Hart?

I have immense respect for Citizens Advice and the way in which the service aims to make a multitude of often stress-inducing processes much easier for people from all walks of life. I also admire Citizens Advice’s decision to partner with numerous charities and foundations that provide support in many different areas.

What is your experience?

This is my first office-based job, and my first job working as a telephone assessor. However, previous employment in retail, hospitality and childcare, as well as volunteering programmes (both in the UK and abroad) have provided me with a wealth of experience working and communicating with people from a variety of backgrounds; I hope to be able to bring all of the skills I have learnt in the past to my new position here at Citizens Advice Hart.

Who are you as a person?

I enjoy spending time with both friends and family, as well as my two lovely cats. My hobbies include reading, writing, playing the guitar, boxing, cycling, walking, gardening with my mum, and just generally being in nature. I have a keen interest in wildlife conservation, and love to travel and experience new things.

I joined Hart 3 years ago. I wanted to help others who for various reasons are seeking information and advice on how best to approach and deal with the challenges that they and their families face.

What is your background?

I am a retired Army Officer who after serving 37 years transitioned into the business world as an HR consultant and more latterly, prior to retirement, as a Business Manager in KSA for a British Engineering Consultancy firm. I served in a number of posts in the UK, Europe and other locations. My last two tours of duty were serving in Sierra Leone as Chief Logistic Mentor to the Sierra Leone Armed Forces and in Saudi Arabia as Deputy Commander of the British Military Mission to the Saudi Arabian National Guard.

I have a wealth of personnel management experiences, gained whilst serving in the military having been responsible for the welfare and well being of those serving with him when in command including their families and dependants.

Who are you as a person?

As a person I enjoy travelling, good wine, cooking, the now very occasional round of golf, reading and keeping up to date with family and friends.

I joined Citizens Advice in Fleet in 2004, shortly after I retired, and have been a Generalist Adviser there ever since. I was looking for voluntary work that was stimulating, challenging and rewarding and found working for CA ticks all those boxes. It is a privilege to be able to help people for whom, at times, life is a daily struggle.

What is your background?

The first part of my working life was spent in medical publishing, but latterly I moved into teaching and spent 15 years as a science lecturer at Farnborough College of Technology. I have been involved with voluntary work of various kinds throughout most of my life; currently, in addition to CA, I am a Witness Service volunteer at the Coroner’s Court.

Who are you as a person?

I have been married for 50 years, and have lived in Fleet for 40 of those; prior to moving to Fleet, we spent 4 years living in the Netherlands. In my spare time I enjoy reading, cryptic crosswords, walking, going to galleries and the theatre, particularly ballet, and spending time with the family (2 children and 6 grandchildren).

I have been working as a qualified advisor for 16 years. I volunteered after retiring from work both to help people in the locality who were experiencing difficulties in coping as well as to feel useful.

What is your background?

Originally from Yorkshire, but lived in the South since 1959. Always worked in Education, as a secondary school science teacher, in curriculum development and from 1971 at an examination board Guildford; the last 16 years as a Head of Examinations Division. Retired on being made redundant in November 2001. Volunteer work includes school governor locally for 24 years, membership of management committee of local village hall, advising at CAB and recently, driver for local “Communicare” group in Fleet.

Who are you as a person?
I consider myself to be caring and approachable; enjoy working with others and being involved and hope to be able to “make a difference” in my community. People and family oriented by nature. Enjoy travelling and seeing family and, at 80 years of age, keen to remain active and involved as long as possible.

How long have you worked at Citizens Advice Hart?

This is my first time working at Citizens Advice Hart. I had previously volunteered as a receptionist at Rushmoor Citizens Advice (back in 2014) and Camberley Citizens Advice (2016). I also had the fantastic opportunity to shadow advisers during client interviews and had gained lots of useful skills from these previous roles. I am really looking forward to working at Citizens Advice Hart this year.

Why work at Citizens Advice Hart?

I truly enjoyed my work experience at Rushmoor and Camberley Citizens Advice. I got a real sense of the issues affecting people in my local community. I felt very rewarded after I had helped someone with their problem, whether that be stopping them getting evicted, getting benefits etc.  That is one reason that motivated me to apply for the Kickstart Role at CAB Hart. Citizens Advice is a great place to be and the organisation is very unique in the sense that it not only helps people with their problems but also identifies any unfair practices and advocates for change. I would love to gain more of an insight into Citizens Advice Hart’s campaigning works during my time here.

What is your experience?

I studied LLB Law at the University of Southampton for 4 years before I went on to do my Master’s Degree (in Public International Law) at Queen Mary University of London in 2019 which I enjoyed very much. I also worked as a part-time online tutor for Mytutor platform for about 2 years (taught A-Level Law and Chinese Mandarin). I am currently preparing for my Solicitors Qualifying Exam and would like to train as a solicitor in the near future. With my Degree in Law, I would love to transfer my skills and contribute my legal knowledge to Citizens Advice Hart.

Who are you as a person?

I enjoy travelling with my family and friends. I also like dancing and playing the piano in my own free time.