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.
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 the NHS as a senior manager leading community specialist adult health service. Prior to this I worked for 15 years as a physiotherapist in both hospital and community sectors. My current role involves management of services to ensure that they deliver safe, effective care for people with Long Term Conditions. I bring the broad skill set to the trustee board of all elements of operational management including for example managing patient safety and governance, financial management, Human Resources management, service performance as well as leading transformational change involving people who use services including carers. The role includes involvement in the system wide development programmes within Healthier Together to deliver transformation across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Although I am not directly a carer myself (although I do have 2 young children), I have seen the impact and value that caring has on people who need help as well as throughout my career. 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.
Carers Liaison & Discharge Worker (BRI)
Carers Liaison Worker (BRI)
Communications and Fundraising Administrator
