Meet the Carers Support Team

Mary Whittington

Chair of Trustees
I am a retired Architect and Project Manager and bring a wealth of experience from many years working in the private sector, in partnership with NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers, supporting them to improve the patient experience and generate savings. I try to apply my project management, business development, strategic management and stakeholder involvement experience to the work of the Board of Carers Support.

I am passionate about improving the lives of carers. I was the carer for my mother during the last few years of her life and saw how my father-in-law struggled to care for his wife when she developed dementia. Through my role with Carers Support, I want to ensure that their voices are heard, awareness of their challenges increases and that support is provided that meets their needs.

In addition to my role with Carers Support, I am also a trustee of BRACE, the Alzheimer’s and dementia research charity and a member of Rotary.

Stuart Hill

Treasurer
Stuart is a retired accountant who spent the majority of his working life in a range of roles with Rolls-Royce, including Business and Finance Manager, Project Accountant and Business Improvement Manager.  He has been a school governor, an academy trust board member, a member of the Thornbury Rotary Club, and a member of the group that set up and operates the Haven Memory Cafe in Thornbury, where he currently serves as Joint Chair and Treasurer.

Jen Cheshire

Vice-Chair
I am the National Implementation Project Manager for a young person’s charity. I manage the development and UK roll out of a digital platform to support young people with cancer. I have developed services across the NHS and charity sector, and have a special interest in digital service delivery. I am passionate about supporting services for carers and excited to join the Carers Support as a Trustee. 

Louise Manley

Trustee 
My background is in social policy, health and public involvement. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone’s views are heard and taken into account in decisions which impact them.  I feel this is particularly important for carers whose views and concerns can sometimes be overlooked. 

I am currently a School Governor and also work for the Breck Foundation, a charity which works to keep children and young people safe online.  

I have first-hand experience of being a carer and am passionate about the work of the Carers Support. 

Matt Jackson

Trustee 
I have over 15 years of experience in the creative sector specialising in branding and digital. I'm currently Head of Digital and Senior Strategist at Toward, a creative studio specialising in strategic brand and digital development. I have experience of the challenges within the care sector from Toward's continuing work with Social Care Wales (the governing body for social care in Wales) and through family members who have been both carers, and cared for. I was born in London, raised just outside of Bristol, and now live in South Wales.

Jen Tomkinson

Trustee

 I currently work within NHS England as a senior manager leading development of community services across the South West region. Prior to this I worked as a physiotherapist and operational manager in both hospital and community sectors. My experience has been focussed on providing health services for people who are frail & elderly or living with multiple long-term conditions particularly in the community setting where I have seen the impact & value of the voluntary sector and unpaid carers

I bring a broad skill set to the trustee board including wide experience of operational management such as managing safety and governance, financial & personnel management, as well as leading transformational change for service models involving people who use services including carers.

Although I am not directly a carer myself (although I do have 2 young children), I want to ensure through my role as a trustee that there is increased awareness and support given to this often-under-recognised group.

Bethanie Cundy

Trustee
I have a background in childhood development, social policy, and charity growth and governance.

I currently run Ignite Life, a youth charity supporting young people and families across South Gloucestershire and Bristol. My passion lies in creating inclusive and accessible spaces for young people to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. Through my work in the charity sector, I have extensive experience in fundraising, safeguarding, project development and delivery, and frontline work with beneficiaries.

I can truly see the impact Carers Support has on the lives of many carers in our communities, and I am dedicated to lending my skills and experiences to supporting where I can.

Kay Kinchin-Ballam

Trustee
I currently work at South Gloucestershire Council as one of their Young Ambassadors, in which I have been providing Young Carer training to colleagues. I have been doing this since 2021. I obtained a BSc (Hons) Combined STEM degree where I focused on Mental health, biology, death, and young people.

I have been an unpaid carer for around 19 years – as I was a young carer. I have supported by the Carers Support since 2011. I chose to become a trustee of Carers Support because I am passionate about representing Young/Young Adult carers; as well as Carers who have disabilities themselves.

Phoebe Wilson

Trustee
I’m Phoebe Wilson, a current undergraduate studying Biological Science and I have been a young adult carer for 10 years and since attending full time university, I’ve encountered many issues with the treatment of young adult carers and they need to change. Being a carer is a massive part of my life and it’s something I’m passionate about, equality for carers and correct treatment of unpaid carers is something I will always fight for, rules need to change and the government needs to listen to the voices of unpaid carers.

Now I am a trustee for the carers support I will be the voice for young adult carers and unpaid carers, making their needs my priority.

When I’m not busy with my carers responsibilities and other responsibilities, I like to work in a lab with many different pathogenic microbes!

I also have many animals that I give a good home to after not having the best start in life, helping animals and people is what I do best.

Lucy Giles

Adult Carer Services Manager - Interim CEO
I have overall responsibility for our Adult Carer work at Carers Support and our staff wellbeing programme. I manage the Health Team, CSO and Wellbeing Managers and the Employment Support team as well. I work closely with the commissioners of our services, Bristol and SG Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Authorities around the monitoring and development of our contracts. I am also the Adult Safeguarding lead.

Joss Tagg

Young Carers Service Manager
I manage the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Young Carers team, enabling them to deliver a range of support to young carers. I'm responsible for the development of Young Carers services, long-term planning of the team, directing fundraising strategies and monitoring and evaluating service delivery. I am also the Children and Young People’s Safeguarding lead.

Louise Canavan

Business Support Manager
I am responsible for ensuring Carers Support’s legal, governance, and administration processes are robust and in line with best practices. I lead and support business and HR administration; IT and Systems, Information Governance, Health and Safety, and premises management.

Martin Hickey

Finance Manager 
I am responsible for all aspects of financial management and recording for Carers Support and its associated projects. I oversee the preparation of the salaries and work with the Chief Executive and Treasurer to set budgets/report to the board. I am also responsible for managing the Finance Officer.

Dawn Osborne

Carers Support Manager
I manage the Carers Support Officers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, and the Parent Carer Support service in Bristol.  I also manage CarersLine and the Carers Emergency Card Coordinator.

Neil McIntosh

Senior Carers Support Officer (South Gloucestershire)
I manage the Carers Assessment workers and Carers Support Officers in South Gloucestershire. I also provide Carers Assessments and one-to-one casework, and help carers develop their network.

Luke Knee

Senior Carers Support Officer (Bristol)
I manage the Bristol Carers Support Officers and Carers Support Admin Assistant for Bristol and South Gloucestershire. I offer practical and emotional support by providing carers with information, advice, Carers Assessments, and one-to-one casework. I also facilitate online and face-to-face Carers Support Groups. 

Lisa Saunders

Emergency Card Co-ordinator
I process Carers Emergency Card (CEC) applications for people who care for someone living in South Gloucestershire. I promote both the South Gloucestershire and Bristol CECs as well as the CEC Discount Scheme.

Louise Brown

Carers Support Officer (CarersLine)
I provide support for carers via CarerLine. I offer practical and emotional support to carers and can help with information and signposting on issues such as benefits, assessments, and other services.

Sal Irish

Carers Support Officer (South Gloucestershire)
I provide one-to-one casework and support for carers in South Gloucestershire. I offer practical and emotional support to carers and can help with information and signposting on issues such as benefits, Carers Assessments, and other services.

Dee Coogan

Carers Support Officer (Bristol)
As a Carers Support Officer for Bristol, I facilitate carers groups across the city, offer advocacy and emotional support, and carry out assessments to help carers access the right services. I also respond to enquiries via the Carers Line, providing guidance and signposting. With experience in the NHS and charities supporting disabled people—especially in youth services—and as a parent of a child with complex needs, I bring both professional insight and lived experience to the role. I’m passionate about wellbeing, enjoy walking and pilates, and look forward to connecting with carers across Bristol.

Laura Johnson

Carers Assess Worker (South Gloucestershire)
I complete Carers Assessments for South Gloucestershire carers, alongside Kathryn. I also signpost carers to other services, both internal and external.

Kathryn Smith

Carers Assess Worker (South Gloucestershire)
I complete Carers Assessments for South Gloucestershire carers, alongside Laura. I also signpost carers to other services, both internal and external.

Alice Lancaster

Parent Carer Support Worker
Hello, I’m Alice, and I offer practical and emotional support to parent carers, one-to-one casework and help with signposting to other services.'

Belinda Daiday

Admin Assistant (Adult Team)
I provide support to the Adult Carers Support team (both Bristol and South Gloucestershire). This involves contacting carers, updating records and reports, processing Carers Emergency Cards, managing Carers Support Group admin and other tasks to support the team.

Pauline Edwards-Samuels

Volunteer Development & Counselling Manager
I am responsible for volunteer development and oversight across the organisation. I support and manage the Carers Break Coordinator and the Counselling Coordinator. I am also a Trustee Board Staff Representative.

Maisy Jefferies

Carers Breaks Coordinator
I am responsible for the Carers Breaks service in South Gloucestershire. I match volunteers to carers, providing support for both and ensuring a positive relationship.

Debi Amor

Counselling Co-ordinator 
I manage the telephone, Skype and email Counselling service in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. I also develop and deliver training to other members of the Carers Time team. I update our website to ensure that our wellbeing advice and information about our services is up to date.

Camilla Qureshi

Befriending & Community Connection Co-ordinator
I am responsible for matching volunteers with carers over the age of 55 for our Befriending and Connection service. I also match carers with other carers for ongoing peer support once the service ends and connect them with other local services and support.

Carmen Rodriguez

Walk & Talk Project Manager
Manages the Walk & Talk Project.

Stacey Vallis

Walk & Talk Project Officer
I plan and run walking groups for carers in various areas across Bristol & South Glos.  The walks offer carers an opportunity to improve their wellbeing through being outside, meeting others and accessing information, advice & guidance about their caring role. The groups run for 6 weeks, most are just for carers but some groups they will be able to bring the person they care for.

Richard Fox

Health Team Manager
I work with University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and North Bristol NHS Trust to ensure that the Bristol carers strategy is implemented, whilst supporting their own carers strategies. I also manage both the Hospital Carer Liaison workers.

Holly Green

GP Carer Liaison Worker (Bristol)
I am part of the team that delivers support to GP surgeries. We identify and support carers across the area and improve the way carers are involved and supported. We also encourage the identification of carers who currently don’t consider themselves to be a carer. We complete Carers Assessments on behalf of Bristol City Council.

Mary Bennett

GP Carers Link (Bristol & South Gloucestershire)
I am part of the team that delivers support to GP surgeries to identify, inform, and support carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Our main aims are to increase carer identification, improve the way carers are supported in a primary care setting, and raise awareness of carer’s issues. I complete Carers Assessments on behalf of South Gloucestershire and Bristol City Council.

Rachael Quarry

Carers Liaison & Discharge Worker (BRI)
I support carers whose loved ones have been admitted to the BRI. This involves providing info, time to discover their situation/concerns and liaising between them & staff to reduce barriers to discharge and readmission. I support hospital staff so that they can support carers when I’m not on the ward.

Hannah Burton

Hospital Carers Liaison Worker (BRI)
I support carers whose loved ones have been admitted to the BRI by offering space to talk, practical information, and help navigating their situation. I listen to their concerns, liaise with hospital staff, and work to reduce barriers to discharge and prevent readmission. I also support staff on the ward so they feel confident supporting carers when I’m not there.

Jo Wells

Carers Liaison & Discharge Worker (BRI)
I support carers whose loved ones have been admitted to Southmead Hospital. This involves providing info, time to discover their situation/concerns and liaising between them & staff to reduce barriers to discharge and readmission. I support hospital staff so that they can support carers when I’m not on the ward. 

Ali Henry

Administration Manager
I am responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day administration for CS is provided and that support is given to projects as and when needed. I am the lead for BreatheHR, CharityLog, and IT and act as the CEO's rep in the first instance on H&S. I provide PA services for the Chief Executive and the Board of Trustees.

Dennis Agodzo

Opperational Support
I am responsible for providing and managing IT systems and support across the organisation. I also do the same for Bristol Parent Carers on Mondays and help with managing policy meetings for Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Hazel Thompson

Finance Officer / Book Keeper
I am responsible for assisting the Finance Manager with the day-to-day processing of finances (including invoices, petty cash, monies received) and completing pay runs to ensure suppliers are paid in a timely manner.

Leanne Blair

Admin Assitant
I support CS Admin, providing a reception service, dealing with calls and enquiries from callers both face to face and over the phone. I also support the resource officer in maintaining developing office systems and records. I deal with mailing lists, post in & out, copying and scanning, processing forms and welcome packs and assisting with recruitment .

Adrian Robson

Communications Manager
I direct our communications strategy and work with our Communications Adminsitrator to implement it. I write content for Carers News and eNews, manage and maintain our website and work with news publications to advertise our services.

Dougal Abbott

Communications and Fundraising Administrator
With Adrian's oversight, I manage our social media, design literature (leaflets and posters), and support website maintenance. I also support the fundraising team by writing and distributing thank-you letters to donors, maintaining our lottery, and logging fundraising activity. 

Susy Giullari

Policy Engagement Lead
I engage carers to have a say in how local services are developed, recruit and support carer reps, and bring unresolved issues to meetings. I also explore ways to gather feedback to improve the services Carers Support provides.

Mark Smyth

Fundraising Manager
I lead the fundraising strategy and action plans in collaboration with the SMT and Fundraising team.

Laura O'Hagan-Fox

Trust Fundraiser
I work with the fundraising manager to research funding opportunities, liaise with funders, apply for grants, and compile end-of-grant reports.

Joss Tagg

Young Carers Service Manager 
I manage the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Young Carers team to deliver a range of support to young carers.  This includes being responsible for developing an effective and efficient service, developing future plans and contributing to fundraising, working closely with commissioners including monitoring and evaluation of service delivery.  I am also the Children and Young People’s Safeguarding lead. 

Tracey Close

Operational Team Manager
I manage the operational Bristol and South Gloucestershire Young Carers team to deliver a range of support to young carers. This includes being responsible for supporting and supervising the teams to ensure they deliver an effective and efficient service, quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation of service delivery. I am also the deputy Children and Young People’s Safeguarding lead.

Carol Carter

Senior Young Carers Development Officer (South Gloucestershire) 
I support young carers and their families in South Gloucestershire, and have been working at Carers Centre since 1997.  I provide Carers Assessments, awareness training, one-to-one support, and arrange and attend various activities.  I also line manage South Gloucestershire YC workers, the Activity Worker, some sessional workers, and the young carer's volunteers. In my spare time, I enjoy the theatre, going to concerts and musicals. I am also a carer for my Mum.

Vicki Houselander

Young Carers in School Development worker 
I work as part of the Young Carers team developing the Young Carers in Schools Programme.  My role is to work with schools to help them identify and support young carers by giving training information and advice. My background is in youth work, including running a youth centre, supporting a youth board and working as a Family Support Worker. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading and being outdoors.

Lisa Furness

Young Carers Support Worker/Young Adult Carer Support worker
I support young carers and young adult carers at Carers Support, having joined the team in December 2023. My background is in youth, arts, and culture, with experience in community projects across Bristol and London, including roles at Creative Youth Network and managing National Citizens Programmes. I hold a master’s in Youth and Community Work and have been a board member at the People's Republic of Stokes Croft since 2019. I’m passionate about helping young adults navigate the often challenging transition into adulthood—and making space for fun along the way. Outside of work, I’m a keen rugby fan and proud supporter of Bristol Bears.

Naomi Lock

Young Carers Support Worker (Bristol) 
I help young carers and their families in Bristol access the appropriate services and support for them. I undertake Carers Assessments and provide group and one-to-one support. I have previous experience working with children, mainly in schools, and also holiday clubs! I was also a young carer so I understand the juggle of managing school and work, maintaining a social life, and fulfilling a care role.

I'm currently on Maternity Leave and my post is being covered by Nidia Seidum- Muir

Holly Abraham

Young Carers Support Worker (South Gloucestershire)
I support young carers and their families in the South Gloucestershire area to access the support and services that are appropriate for them. I undertake Carers Assessments, working with them one-to-one and supporting them in group settings including trips and activities. I’ve worked in a variety of roles with children and young people over the last 12+ years, most recently as an SEMH Teaching Assistant and Pastoral Mentor in schools. In my spare time love to write and perform music, paint and go for nature walks!

Sammie Blanchard

Activities Co-ordinator
I co-ordinate activities for Young Carers in Bristol and South Glos allowing them to have a break from their caring responsibilities and learn new skills.