Our Team
Some of the people behind Citizens Advice Hart
The success of our services relies on our dedicated team of staff and volunteers
Our staff members have come to Citizens Advice Hart from a variety of different backgrounds, such as:
- Working at other local Citizens Advice offices
- Working at the national organisation
- Working in the public and/or private sector
- Having retired and wanting to put something back
- Starting as a volunteer, then taking a paid role when the opportunity arose
- Being at the early stages of their career and looking to build their CV
This variety of knowledge and experience is a distinct advantage when managing a group of diverse volunteers. It also helps with building empathy with all we seek to help.
Meet a few of our staff members
Sam
Chief ExecutiveSam
Chief Executive
Lynda
Advice Session SupervisorLynda
Advice Session Supervisor
Louisa
Advice Services ManagerLouisa
Advice Services Manager
Marcia
Community Training LeadMarcia
Community Training LeadMeet some of our Volunteers
Our volunteers are a particularly important part of the service. Without them, it would be difficult to offer the range of advice and support for which Citizens Advice is known. They come from all walks of life and are at varying stages of their careers, such as:
- Looking to build work experience at the start of their careers
- In between jobs
- On vacation from university
- Have children still living at home
- Children have left home
- Retired or semi-retired
They help us deliver the service in a variety of ways. This includes ever-increasing use of email, webchat and video call, as well as the more traditional telephone and face-to-face appointments. We have a team of over 30 volunteers; here are some of them:
Karen
Money AdvisorKaren
Money AdvisorI started volunteering in Hart in May 2019. I have always been interested in other people, and the opportunity to help those requiring assistance really appealed to me. Initially, I worked on our Adviceline, where every day was different. You never knew what issue you’d get when you picked up the phone. In 2021, I qualified as an Adviser, and in the autumn of that year was invited to join the Money Advice Team. This involves helping our clients who are in debt or in need of budgeting advice. I really enjoy meeting our clients and helping them to overcome their difficulties. Our Fleet office is home to a really supportive group of people. There is always someone to go to if I am unsure what to do. I would recommend joining Citizens Advice Hart to anyone with a bit of time on their hands who wants to make a difference.
What is your background?
I took early retirement in May 2019 after spending most of my life working in IT, and Learning and Development. I split my working life between the public sector (Surrey County Council) and the private sector (Microsoft), and found the differences and similarities interesting.
Who are you as a person?
Geraldine
Email AssessorGeraldine
Email AssessorI have volunteered for almost 4 years. The reason I started volunteering is that I enjoy helping people. 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 an HR Manager. After a short break spent 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.
Michelle
AdviserMichelle
AdviserI have been volunteering for around 5 years following early retirement. CA Hart seemed an obvious choice, because I wanted to keep my brain active and healthy, and help other people. After working for a large organisation, I felt I needed the camaraderie of like-minded people, which I found at Hart. 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!). Therefore, we bought a small house in Spain that 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. Additionally, I 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 all animals, but sadly my time away from home means it’s not fair to have any. Should I stop travelling in the future, my house will again be full of furry creatures!
Sarah
Financial Capability AssessorSarah
Financial Capability AssessorI joined Citizens Advice Hart in October 2022. I’d wanted to volunteer for this great service for many years, and the time felt right.
What is your background?
Before having a family, I was an HR Specialist, becoming a School Business Manager once my two daughters started school. In 2013, my husband and I gave up fulltime work to travel and volunteer.
Who are you as a person?
I also volunteer for Wooden Spoon, Minding the Garden, and the Anthony Nolan Trust. Travelling – with a backpack and using local transport – is a passion of mine. I enjoy hiking and spending time with our family, and have recently started sewing.
Simon
Generalist AdviserSimon
Generalist AdviserI joined Hart three years ago because I wanted to help others. In particular, I wanted to support those seeking advice on dealing with the challenges 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. During this time, I was an HR Consultant and 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, which I gained whilst serving in the military. For example, I was responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of those serving with me, including their families and dependants.
Who are you 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.
Sheila
Generalist AdviserSheila
Generalist AdviserI joined Citizens Advice Hart in 2004, shortly after I retired, and have been a Generalist Adviser here ever since. Looking for voluntary work that was stimulating, challenging, and rewarding, I found working for CA ticked 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. I spent 15 years as a science lecturer at Farnborough College of Technology. Throughout most of my life, I have been involved with voluntary work of various kinds. 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 four years living in the Netherlands. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cryptic crosswords, walking, and going to galleries and the theatre (particularly ballet). I also love spending time with the family (two children and six grandchildren).
David
Generalist AdviserDavid
Generalist AdviserI have been working as a qualified adviser for 16 years. I volunteered after retiring from work, both to help local people experiencing difficulties to cope, and to feel useful.
What is your background?
Originally, I am from Yorkshire, but have lived in the South since 1959. I’ve always worked in education, as a secondary school science teacher, in curriculum development, and from 1971 at a Guildford examination board. For the last 16 years of my career, I was Head of the Examinations Division. I retired on being made redundant in November 2001. My other volunteer work includes 24 years of being a local school governor, and acting as part of the management committee of my local village hall. Recently, I have also been driving for the local “Communicare” group in Fleet.
Who are you as a person?
I consider myself to be caring and approachable. I enjoy working with others, and hope to be able to make a difference in my community. By nature, I am people and family oriented, and enjoy travelling and seeing family. At 80 years of age, I am keen to remain active and involved for as long as possible.
Meet our Trustees
Although a member of the national Citizens Advice network, we are an independent charity and have our own board of trustees. These trustees are responsible for the vision, mission and management of the charity. Meet the Trustees.