Our People

I joined Citizens Advice Hart as Chief Officer on 23 March 2020 at the beginning of COVID 19 Lockdown just as all of us started working remotely. It has been a very different start to a new job.

Throughout my working life I have worked in the charity sector as I wanted my work to be meaningful and make a difference. For many years I managed community arts organisations using art as a tool to bring communities together or highlight community issues or tell stories from diverse communities.

For me it was a logical next step to use my management skills within Citizens Advice and work with volunteers and staff to support local communities.

What is your background?

With a passion for the arts I have worked as a manager of a range of arts organisations in Australia and the UK including a Greenwich based international outdoor arts company touring the UK and Europe and establishing and running the Basingstoke Festival.

In recent years I have moved into the broader charity sector with 3 years as Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Guildford prior to joining Citizens Advice Hart. I am committed to the citizens advice ethos of giving everyone access to free advice to find a way forward. I have complete admiration for our team of volunteers and paid staff who work so hard and make a difference to people seeking advice.

Who are you as a person?

Born in Australia I moved to the UK in 2003 with my partner and daughter. Based in central Farnham I enjoy living in a town and on weekends rambling through the beautiful countryside. Living in the UK I have had the opportunity to travel to Europe Ireland and Africa as well as trips to Cornwall where I take advantage of the coastal paths, the cream teas and drink at the pub!

I have volunteered as a school governor, chaired a new writing theatre company and am currently a director of the UK chapter of the Muriel Matters Society – which acknowledges the contribution a South Australian woman to suffragette movement.

I joined Citizens Advice Hart in November 2019, coming from a long background of working within the Citizens Advice Service for many different local offices.

I have the pleasure of working with the paid staff who support our volunteers with our client work. We help clients in all areas of life, letting them know their rights and responsibilities in employment situations, benefit claims, housing law and many other areas.

What is your background?

I started my working life as a nurse, moved into bookkeeping after having children and after some life events I joined Citizens Advice in 2003 as a trainee volunteer generalist adviser. In those days all the case notes were hand written and the paper information system filled a whole book case! Everything is now computerised and we have instant access to up to date information, as well as expert resources we can draw on.

I have enjoyed many varied roles in the service, worked with many clients and the theme is all the same “clients come first”

Who are you as a person?

I am a mother of 4 children, who are now all grown up and finding their own way in the world now. I am enjoying this new found freedom and experimenting in all sorts of different things, including gardening and Tai Chi.

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!

I joined the Citizens Advice service in 2000 as I wanted to be involved with and support people in my local community. I trained as a generalist adviser and have worked in several citizens advice offices and the national organisation. After a recent house move, I joined CA Hart as a supervisor.

I enjoy advice work for the variety of subject areas and questions that are posed and the opportunity to exercise my research skills. Achieving a successful outcome for a client is immensely satisfying. We are encouraged both locally and nationally to campaign for change means that as an individual I do not feel like I am “shouting into the void” when identifying unfair rules or discriminatory practices. My colleagues here come from a wide variety of backgrounds and the team is congenial and supportive.

What is your background?

I practiced as a company and commercial solicitor, and I worked for a Spanish bank, leaving to look after my children.

Who are you as a person?

I live with my husband and a visiting tortoise. I enjoy the arts, gardening and dancing flamenco.

I started with Citizens Advice in February 2020 and am currently working through my training plan towards becoming a Money Advice Advisor.

Citizens Advice has provided a new and interesting challenge, offering a variety of activities requiring research and interaction with colleagues, third parties and clients. Every case is unique and it’s very rewarding to be able to help people resolve a variety of issues. I am also acquiring new skills utilising the comprehensive range of training resources available.

What is your background?

I started my career in Retail Banking, moving into a Business Transformation role as a Business Analyst and finally into Project Management. Prior to joining Citizens Advice, I worked on a number of contract Project Management roles within the Financial Services sector.

Who are you as a person?

I have lived in Sandhurst for 34 years. In my spare time I enjoy walking, cycling and swimming.

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 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.

I returned as a Volunteer in 2013 as a Gateway Assessor. My role includes dealing with clients on their initial contact with the CA either face to face , on the telephone or by email. I wanted to volunteer as having worked for CA previously I knew how interesting and rewarding the work could be. I wanted to be part of a team working within the community. I have always enjoyed researching and unravelling problems and felt my experience was useful for the client work we do. Every day is different and I learn something every time I come into the office.

What is your background?

Worked for Hart CA previously as Deputy Manager 2001-2005 and returned as a Volunteer in 2013 as a Gateway Assessor. My previous background involved working in health and social services.

Who are you as a person?

My personal interests are walking, cooking and writing for pleasure. I am very fortunate to work with such a wonderful, supportive team at Hart CA.