Meet our team
Our wonderful team are a vital part of what we do. You can find out more below.
Cate
Head of Learning and Development
Cate is responsible for working with our members and the wider sector to define training needs and source fantastic providers to deliver our training.
Cate is passionate about Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) and attends the VCSE EDI Network on behalf of the Alliance.
What do you enjoy the most about your role at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance?
Tell us about your background.
In your current role, what would you like to achieve in 2026?
What makes Gloucestershire such a great county to live and work in? And what's your favourite thing to do in it?
When you're not working, how do you like to spend your time?
Who inspires you the most?
What has life taught you so far?
Charlotte
Communications Co-ordinator
Charlotte is responsible for membership processing, social media content and lots more besides!
What do you enjoy the most about your role at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance?
Tell us about your background.
In your current role, what would you like to achieve in 2026?
What makes Gloucestershire such a great county to live and work in? And what's your favourite thing to do in it?
When you're not working, how do you like to spend your time?
Who inspires you the most?
What has life taught you so far?
Jill
Head of Operations
Jill is responsible for Accountable Representation, and coordinates the VCSE Strategic Partnership and VCSE Integrated Locality Partnership representatives.
Jill has also led the Summerfield Community Chest, which concluded in June 2026.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance?
Meeting people, visiting projects, learning about the huge variety of initiatives going on in the county and the fabulous things that communities, organisations and individuals are doing.
How did you get to where you are now?
From the Army in Cyprus to social care leadership, my career path has taken many twists and turns. Prior to my current role, I led the social care elements of NHS England's STOMP campaign, working to end the over-medication of people with learning disabilities which has a massive, often hidden, impact on many people's quality of life.
What would you like to achieve in 2026?
As Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (the local NHS management organisation) prepares to merge with Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, I'm focussed on how we support VCSE organisations to collaborate across this new, expanded geography - sharing ideas, pooling resources, and ensuring our sector has a powerful, unified voice.
What makes Gloucestershire such a great county to live and work in?
Gloucestershire has a fabulous blend of creative talent and a beautiful natural environment. I love sharing my home county with friends and family when they visit, whether we’re soaking up the atmosphere at a local event or heading out for a classic, muddy Cotswold walk.
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
I've recently joined a games night at Stroud Brewery. My current favourite game is Cascadia.
Who inspires you the most?
I often think of Nell Gifford - how she reached for, and realised, the most unlikely of dreams: creating a nomadic, village green circus. She gathered an extraordinary group of talented people and left us with the remarkable legacy that is Giffords Circus.
Finally, what has life taught you so far?
We're only here briefly. By not getting hung up on the things that don't matter, I’ve found more space to appreciate the moments and people that do.
Karen
Business Director
Karen looks after our operations (including finance, HR, compliance and governance) and ends up being involved in most things!
Recently Karen has been helping with Go Volunteer Glos events, and our new sector intelligence.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance?
It's very varied! We're a small team and we have to be quite responsive so it's unusual for me to spend a week as I'd planned. It can be quite full-on, but it's impossible to get bored.
Tell us about your background.
I was brought up in Gloucester, attending Moat Primary and (as it was then) The High School for Girls. I went to university in Birmingham and met my now-husband back here during the holidays. I worked in finance within the private sector for many years, then switched Cheltenham Borough Council and the University before taking a break to raise my three sons. Returning to work in the voluntary sector is obviously the best.
In your current role, what would you like to achieve in 2026?
I'd like to bring a bit more cohesion to our work... a lot of people know about us because of the Funding Bulletin or because they've attended some training, but don't tap into our other services.
What makes Gloucestershire such a great county to live and work in? And what's your favourite thing to do in it?
It's a truly beautiful county, and the people here are totally unique and have a great sense of humour! When I'm not working, I can be found in my garden near Tewkesbury, bemoaning the pigeons eating my veg.
When you're not working, how do you like to spend your time?
I have three school-age children, so I spend a lot of my non-working time cleaning and nagging.
Who inspires you the most?
I was massively inspired by all of the winners of the Gloucestershire Volunteer Awards recently, but most of all by Will Cook, the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award who has done so much for Tetbury. He's an absolute gent, and so inspirational.
What has life taught you so far?
Don't expect anything to go to plan!
Wendy
Communications Co-ordinator
Wendy is responsible for our mailings, including our News Bulletin, Funding Bulletin and Inclusivity Matters.
She’s behind our book competitions and special features. If you have a story or event you’d like to share, get in touch!
What do you enjoy the most about your role at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance?
It's great to work with such a passionate and creative team. I'm inspired by their commitment to making Gloucestershire a better place to live.
Tell us about your background.
After a stint in book publishing I did a magazine journalism diploma and honed my editorial skills while working in tennis, rowing and also on Guiding Magazine. Over the last few years, I've thoroughly enjoyed learning about digital content - it's so creative and the possibilities are almost endless!
In your current role, what would you like to achieve in 2026?
A key part of my role is compiling the monthly Funding Bulletin and also our weekly list of New Funders - a new addition to the News Bulletin. It always makes my day to hear that a local charity has secured funding and their success is so inspirational for everyone. As we're all aware, it's a particularly tough time for the VCSE sector, so I hope that we can help bring more funding to Gloucestershire in the coming year.
What makes Gloucestershire such a great county to live and work in? And what's your favourite thing to do in it?
I moved to Gloucestershire three years ago to live in the countryside. It's captured my heart. I absolutely love the rolling hills and the unfolding vistas as the seasons change. Living in Stroud, I enjoy the sun setting towards the Severn in the summer, but also the mist, so atmospheric, in the valleys during colder months.
When you're not working, how do you like to spend your time?
I like nothing better than working up a sweat in those same hills, then stopping at an old Cotswold pub for a quick pint afterwards!
Who inspires you the most?
Michelle Obama - what an incredible role model.
What has life taught you so far?
That being kind is a simple thing, but possibly the most underrated.
Matt
CEO
Matt is the CEO and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation. He’s a passionate advocate of the VCSE sector and spends much of his time representing the sector on various boards and panels.
What do you enjoy the most about your role at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance?
Tell us about your background.
In your current role, what would you like to achieve in 2026?
What makes Gloucestershire such a great county to live and work in? And what's your favourite thing to do in it?
When you're not working, how do you like to spend your time?
Who inspires you the most?
What has life taught you so far?
Sophie
Events Co-ordinator
Sophie is responsible for the running of our Go Volunteer Glos platform and is always happy to help!
Sophie also coordinates our training programme, managing the bookings and liasing with trainers.
What do you enjoy the most about your role at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance?
The absolute best part for me is hearing people’s volunteering stories, especially at the Gloucestershire Volunteer Awards, where you hear so many amazing and inspiring stories about the difference people are making. It’s always a reminder of the positive impact volunteering has on Gloucestershire, and I would be lying if I said it doesn’t get me a bit emotional.
What would you like to achieve in 2026?
For 2026 I’d like to help organisations make their volunteering roles as accessible and welcoming as possible, so more people feel able and confident to get involved in volunteering. Everyone should have a right to volunteer and make a difference in their local community.
How did you get to where you are now?
Volunteering has been a defining part of my life. I started volunteering when I was 13 and honestly never imagined where it would take me. Through volunteering, I’ve had some incredible experiences, meeting and interviewing MPs, chairing an action group and receiving the High Sheriff’s Award for voluntary contribution. More than anything, I’ve made amazing friendships along the way. Volunteering really does open doors and takes you to places you’d never expect.
It led me to work for a university volunteer programme, encouraging students to get involved in volunteering, before moving into the charity sector supporting people with a learning disability to volunteer.
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
My kids have recently got into Geocaching, so we do spend some of our time randomly in the middle of Gloucestershire fields looking as if we are lost. As the main finder of school shoes, water bottles and coats in our house, these honed skills are finally getting some appreciation.
My youngest son is really keen on History and loves Charlie Cooper so we are hopeful that he will be at the Cirencester History Festival this year. We are also excited about the new Tewkesbury History Festival.
My favourite thing to do is go and see comedy with my friends. Gloucestershire gets so many great comedians but I would absolutely love it if I could see Bridget Christie in her home city one day!
-
Chair
Julie is our Chair and the CEO at Headway Gloucestershire.
At Headway Gloucestershire, Julie is responsible for ensuring that the organisation operates effectively and delivers the right services, to the right people at the right time.
Julie has over 30 years’ leadership experience in the charity, public and private sectors, including change leadership, human resources, and all-round support for businesses to help increase turnover, profit and productivity.
Julie has worked intensively with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion matters in every sector and always puts the individual at the centre of the organisation. Her ethos is very much about Communication, Collaboration and Courage.
-
Trustee
Megan is a Creative Health & Community Producer at The Roses Theatre Trust in Tewkesbury. She has over 12 years' experience in the VCSE sector across the Southwest and has worked for and with organisations such as Stir To Action, The Arts Development Company and Visual Arts Southwest.
Megan brings a particular knowledge of The Arts & Culture Sector, successfully delivering and co-developing creative opportunities and experiences for communities' with a particular focus on vulnerable adults and young people.
When appointed Megan said "It's an exciting opportunity to join such a brilliant team of trustee and help guide the work the Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance is doing to ensure we have a healthy, ethical and forward thinking VCSE sector in the county. I look forward to the challenges that will come along and to be able to inject a creative and community driver perspective".
-
Trustee
Karen is the CEO of Mindsong.
Mindsong creates and provides services across Gloucestershire that are tailored for people living with dementia and their family and friends, helping to support wellbeing, decrease isolation, develop new relationships, and bring joy through music. Mindsong offers clinical Music Therapy sessions, community singing groups and volunteer-led singing with residents in care homes. They also aim to increase awareness and understanding of dementia through training and education.
Mindsong uses the same skills to deliver supportive singing groups to improve breathing and quality of life for people with respiratory conditions, heart failure and Long Covid.
Karen has spent her entire career in the arts (in some form or another), celebrates the fact that we are surrounded by good people doing good things most of the time and is never without a book or a biscuit.
-
Trustee
Abdul is currently Head of Inequalities & Prevention Programme at NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Abdul has over 30 years’ experience of in working in community, health and social care settings. Formerly a CEO of a health charity and a Healthwatch in Blackburn (Lancashire) for 12 years, Abdul also worked in local government developing community development projects and involving community in major regeneration schemes, as well as, as a youth and community worker for 10 years.
Abdul has spent over 20 years in governance roles in a voluntary capacity which include primary schools, high schools and special schools. Becoming chair of a CVS and a board member of a large social landlord as well as a member on the Lancashire Police Crime Commissioners Panel.
Abdul is passionate about giving people a voice, in particular those who are most vulnerable and on the margins of society.
-
Treasurer
Janette is Grants & Social Value Officer for Bromford Housing.
Janette has a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit and charitable organisations, supporting Charities across Gloucestershire to obtain grant funding and to support improvements in Governance.
-
Item description