Drug and Alcohol Specialist

Admin Speclialist

Chair

I have lived in Windsor since 1979 and am a longstanding parishioner at St Edward’s. At the end of 2022, I retired after 40+ years practising as a solicitor in the City of London in the regulatory field. I have a great love of Windsor and its people and have, over the years, been extensively involved as Finance Chair of two local schools.

As I was approaching retirement from the Law, I was asked to take on the rôle of Chair of Windsor Christian Action, having at that stage served as a Trustee of the charity for 5 years. It has been a huge privilege to have become Chair just at the time that we were completing the refurbishment of our wonderful building, The Alma Beacon, in the centre of Windsor.

With our new facilities and, even more importantly, the dedication and generosity of so many wonderful volunteers, staff, trustees and supporters, we feel we are making a real difference to the lives of many of the most vulnerable in our community across our three projects: Windsor Foodshare, Windsor Homeless Project and Windsor Street Angels.

Secretary to Board

I am a linguist, and started my career working on technical journals for an American company as a professional translator from German and Dutch. I retrained as a language teacher, and set up my own business, offering training in European languages to local companies such as Hitachi, General Electric and Gartner Group and taught German and French at Windsor Girls’ School.

After retiring from teaching in 2009, I volunteered at Windsor Homeless Project as Project Co-ordinator, and a year later was made a paid employee, becoming Manager in 2017. This turned out to be the most enjoyable and rewarding job I have ever had, as I am passionate about empowering people to transform their lives in positive ways. When I had to retire for family reasons, I wanted to retain my involvement, and so became a trustee of WCA.

Among my other passions are spending time in the mountains, skiing, hiking and being a grandmother.

Trustee

I have over 10 years’ experience driving socially and environmentally responsible change in large flagship organisations. Most recently I was a senior sustainability professional at the John Lewis Partnership with responsibility for strategy development, performance management and engagement. I’ve now joined the University of Cambridge as a Programme Director for Executive Sustainability Education.

Whilst professionally I work to influence change at a national and global level, I feel the strongest connection with the tangible ways I can support my local community. I was first introduced to Windsor Christian Action when I started volunteering as a Windsor Street Angel in 2019. Following that I was offered the opportunity to lead the Alma Beacon’s capital grant fundraising programme and am now delighted to have been appointed as a Trustee. In my role I lead on the charity’s strategic direction, grant fundraising and impact measurement.

Treasurer & Trustee

I joined Alma Beacon as Treasurer and Trustee in February 2022. I previously worked for over 30 years as a finance and risk management professional, primarily as a corporate treasurer, in several large international companies.

I currently work part time as a pension trustee, mentor and self-employed treasury expert. I was keen to add some voluntary work to my activities so, having lived in Windsor for over 20 years, I was delighted to join Alma Beacon.

My leisure interests include running, skiing, paddle boarding and golf. I am a small shareholder in The Swan community pub in Clewer and the Windsor & Eton Brewery.

Trustee

Since 1997 I have had the best job in the world. I’ve been a Baptist minister, first in Nottingham then in Oxford. In 2017 I moved to become minister of Windsor Baptist Church – a creative, community-based church which runs a vibrant café and hosts all manner of community groups. As part of this job I became very involved with Windsor Christian Action and subsequently joined the board of trustees.

In my spare time I enjoy playing meatloaf songs VERY loudly on the piano, walking my dog and being with my children and little granddaughter.

Trustee

Compassion has changed my life, and I have seen it change the lives of others, that’s why I’m here. The works of Justice and Peace have shaped my life as a Priest. In my studies to the priesthood, I have lived in different countries including Tanzania and Zambia, these were formative years as I saw the impact and devastation of poverty upon communities, families and individuals. I was ordained Priest for the Archdiocese of Cardiff in 2015. In 2011 I started training to be a counsellor, qualifying in 2014. During this time, I became a Priest in the Church in Wales, and due to my involvement in the local community I became a part of a local government response to house and welcome vulnerable Syrian families. I continue to work as a Priest and Counsellor in Windsor. My family and I moved here in August 2021 and we are enjoying settling in and making new friends and memories.
Alongside my life in Windsor, I am also a Chaplain in the Army, serving as a Padre with The London Guards. I have always ‘enjoyed’ being with people who are on the edge of life, I find their messiness and my messiness connecting well and from this relationship trust grows.
I have always enjoyed keeping fit and reading. Before children I used to go the cinema and enjoyed watching films. I’m sure I’ll have the opportunity again!!

Trustee – Windsor Foodshare

I am blessed to have been born and raised in Windsor, brought up with a sense of duty towards helping those less fortunate than me. The first in my family to attend university, I read English Law and French Law at Kings College, London University and enjoyed professional life as a solicitor. Since then, I have worked as a charity trustee, promoting education, and providing opportunities for young people through Sport and the Arts. As a regular theatregoer, I believe strongly that participation in the Arts can broaden a young person’s creative mind. In my past role as director of a Multi-Academy Trust, I became sadly aware of children arriving at school hungry, often the school lunch was their only hot meal. I am therefore committed to helping those suffering food poverty in our local community and proud to work with the charity in Windsor Foodshare.