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, 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.
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.
Gillian retired after more than 40 years spent working in and around social care and health. A qualified social worker, she developed a very keen interest in services for older people and spent several years working with companies providing residential and care services mainly in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Gillian was recently appointed as Chair of Healthwatch Wiltshire.
Sue is recently retired from a career in local government, initially as a librarian and a project manager and, for the last thirty years working in social care. She has held lead roles in policy, performance and, most recently, as a head of commissioning for adult care services. Sue feels strongly that people who use care services should be engaged and involved and that they feel supported to have a voice. She is also a firm believer in evidence-based practice and is keen that we can demonstrate how different services can make a positive impact on people’s lives. Sue has been a volunteer adult literacy tutor and a befriender for Age UK. She has a personal interest in health research and, as a public/patient involvement representative, contributes to a number of academic research projects.