Staff

Cotswold Friends has a dedicated and friendly team of staff.

Joanna Hammond BSc DipM

CEO

Joanna worked for Cotswold Friends for four years with responsibility for all aspects of Marketing before stepping up to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Her previous Marketing role involved spreading the word about Cotswold Friends and the work we do in the Cotswolds community. She has many years of Marketing experience, gained mainly within the healthcare sector, as well as three years working in direct sales. Joanna has planned, developed and launched numerous marketing campaigns from market research and analysis through to print and press work, events programmes and website development. Whilst working in the pharmaceutical industry her specialist areas of knowledge included Diabetes, Elderly Care, Cancer Care, Contract Manufacturing and Corporate Marketing. She has also worked for a Medical Devices company developing and launching online educational training resources for nurses. Joanna plays league badminton and enjoys sport, gardening and reading.

Sue Thomas

Finance and Office Manager

Sue joined Cotswold Friends in November 2015 as administrator and bookkeeper. Sue’s charity sector knowledge combined with her event management experience and organisational skills make her a valuable member of the Cotswold Friends team.

Sue spent time in a variety of administration roles during her career and was also front of house manager for a wedding events company and the principal of a drama academy. She has also set up and managed a Sixth Form College for special needs students as well as being very active in charity work, setting up events and fundraising for a variety of organisations. In her spare time, Sue loves spending time with family and walking her super-cute Scottie dog Roman.

Sheryl Murray

Volunteer Manager

Sheryl has re-joined the team, having worked for Cotswold Friends in both Volunteer and Community Activity roles in the past. Sheryl is responsible for bringing volunteers on board, looking after them and making them feel like part of the Cotswold Friends family.

Claire Harrison

Community Transport Manager

Claire is responsible for the overall management of our Community Transport Service, having previously worked as the Planning and Scheduling Manager at the Fire Service College in Moreton for four years and served over 22 years with the College in many different roles. She has a wealth of experience in customer service, resource and project management, scheduling, planning and IT.

Claire has lived in Moreton-in-Marsh for over 30 years. Having moved to the North Cotswolds for a job, she then met a local who was to become her husband and raised two children who have now moved in with their own partners. When her children were young, Claire ran the local Mother and Toddler group, then volunteered on the Moreton Playgroup Committee, followed by the Friends of St David’s Committee. At the Fire Service College, Claire was the Treasurer for the Mess Club charity for many years. She is now putting her experiences to good use for Cotswold Friends.

Bridget Salvage

Support Services Manager

Bridget joined Cotswold Friends in October 2015, having worked for Gloucestershire County Council as a care needs assessor and dementia day care facilitator. Bridget has a vast knowledge of the care needs of vulnerable and older people which enables her to manage all of Cotswold Friends Support Services.

Bridget lives with her family in Moreton-in-Marsh and is committed to the North Cotswold community, with a thorough understanding of the resources available to support it, both from the statutory and voluntary sectors. Bridget has gained her NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care and Promoting Independence and has completed her Dementia Link training. She is a warm and caring team member, keen to promote Dementia friendly awareness in the North Cotswolds.

Jane Stephens

Community Programme Support

Jane joined Cotswold Friends in April 2023 as our Community Activities Programme Manager covering as maternity leave. She brings experience with over 25 years in banking and Practice Management for a rural surgery.

Jane recently moved to the area from Mid Wales and is enjoying exploring the area, while on her off time doing some yoga and swimming.

Karen Saffarian

Fundraiser

Karen is the newest member of our Fundraising team.

She is a non-practising solicitor and has spent years as a Business Development professional. She speaks four languages after having lived overseas. Karen became familiar with Cotswold Friends when an elderly neighbour told her that she was a volunteer driver for them. This lady was the inspiration behind Karen wanting to know more about the charity.

Karen enjoys walking her dog and volunteering at a local stables.

Katy Gunn

Marketing Co-ordinator

Katy joined Cotswold Friends in August 2023.

She originally grew up in the area and has returned home after 12 years away in Brazil, South Africa, London, Oxford, and a motorhome!

Katy has worked extensively in Marketing, Design, and Communications throughout her career, primarily in the theatre and charity sectors and enjoys bringing her skills to Cotswold Friends to broaden the reach and exposure of the wonderful work that is done here.

Lucy Stockley

Community Activities Manager

Lucy is responsible for managing our Community Activities, overseeing our Men in Sheds projects as well as Lunch Clubs, Knit and Natter, Community Singing and Walking Football. She helps ensure that activities run safely and smoothly, and keeps an eye out for new ideas for activities.

Lucy has a broad range of experience managing activities on different scales, working with and training volunteers and organising events, and she is now using her experiences to ensure that Cotswold Friends activities programme meets its aim of reducing social isolation, bringing people together to share a chat and a laugh, learn a new skill, or stay active.

Lucy is a qualified Geography teacher and in the past worked as Education Manager for Twycross Zoo in north Warwickshire, for a social inclusion project in East London with the RSPB, and as an outdoor teacher at a busy city farm. She grew up in South London and now lives near Leamington Spa in Warwickshire with her husband, daughter and four rescue cats. When she’s not at work, she’s chasing after her toddler, weeding the garden or playing board games with friends.

Lindsey Smith

Office Administrator

Lindsey joined Cotswold Friends in November 2022 as an administrator to assist the Finance and Office Manager.

Lindsey has lived in Moreton-in-Marsh for almost 4 years. She has over 20 years’ experience working in the healthcare sector undertaking many roles including finance, administration and recruitment.

In her spare time Lindsey enjoys holiday, travel and spending time with her family.

Anne Holmes

Community Transport Booking Desk Administrator

Anne is a member of our Transport Booking Desk team. Anne has previous experience working with the residents and visitors of a care home and puts her knowledge to use working with our clients in this busy department.

Anne works with our Booking Desk volunteers to organise the transport our Community Transport members, liaising with the volunteer drivers to arrange transport for medical, practical, and social appointments. This enables people who are unable to drive themselves, or use public transport, to remain independent and socially active.

Kathy Fossey

Community Transport Booking Desk Administrator

Kathy joined Cotswold Friends in November 2021 as a member of the Transport Booking Desk team. Kathy has a wealth of experience in the transport industry and puts her knowledge to excellent use within this busy department.

Kathy works with our Booking Desk volunteers to organise the transport our Community Transport members, liaising with our volunteer drivers to arrange transport for medical, practical, and social appointments. This enables people who are unable to drive themselves, or use public transport, to remain independent and socially active.

Charlotte Murray

Community Activities Project Worker

As our Community Activities Project Worker, Charlotte is responsible for the day-to-day administration of our Community Activities, including our many Lunch Clubs, Knit & Natter, Community Singing and Walking Football. This involves regular contact with our members, ensuring they are booked into the clubs they wish to attend and managing the excellent team of volunteers who help run the clubs alongside the various venues.

Mark Perryman

Shed's Project Worker

Mark joined us in July this year! He is responsible for the day-to-day running of Men in Sheds to promote the valuable practical skills to work on both community and individual projects while uplifting the camaraderie and peer support that the shed environment provides for all those who attend.

Mark has lived in Moreton in Marsh for over 12 years, his connection to the town goes back to his apprenticeship in the 70s, with a wide experience in crafts, design & programming, Mark hopes to bring new ideas and increase public awareness of the Men in Sheds throughout the North Cotswolds.

Julie Lawton

Young Friends & Volunteer Administrator

Julie is responsible for coordinating student volunteers aged 14-18 years in our Young Friends programme, where there are various projects from Befriending, Supporting Community Groups, Marketing, Arts & Crafts, and Fundraising which they can get involved in.

Befriending and Supporting Community Groups aims to bring younger and older generations together to help reduce loneliness and isolation which can impact the health and wellbeing of any age group.

Harriet Salvage

Support Services Co-ordinator

Harriet supports full-time carers and arranges for volunteers to visit and befriend the person they care for, so that they can take some regular time off. It is often difficult for carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities, but regular breaks are vital to allow carers to stay well themselves. By carefully matching the clients and volunteers, she aims to ensure long and successful relationships.

Harriet is very well connected with the local community having spent 2 years on the local playgroup committee, organising many fundraisers and charity events. Harriet has three young sons and worked as a dental nurse for five years before becoming a mum. She also volunteered for Cotswold Friends for a year, before applying for her current job, giving her significant experience with respect to the volunteering roles, training and support that we can offer. In her time working for Cotswold Friends, Harriet has gained an extensive knowledge of Dementia related illnesses completing her Dementia Link Training, Mental Health Awareness and Safeguarding Adults.

Jessica O'Hara

Deputy Support Services Manager

Jess has worked in the Care Sector for over 10 years and has extensive experience with nursing, residential and domiciliary care. Jess is very passionate about supporting individuals to remain as independent as safely possible.

Jess has previously worked as a Registered Care Manager and knows the North Cotswolds well. During her time working in care, she has achieved her level 3 & 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Jess grew up in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. Before becoming a mum of two, Jess enjoyed travelling and spent one year living in Australia. Jess moved to Moreton-in-Marsh in 2016. She enjoys living in Moreton and enjoys supporting people in her local community.

Community Transport Drivers

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

We operate a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle as part of our Community Transport Service, with the help of a generous grant from the Weston Anniversary Fund. We have drivers operating this service who are fully trained members of staff.

The Volkswagen Caddy has been specially adapted to carry a person whilst seated in a wheelchair, meaning that transfer from wheelchair to car and back again is no longer needed. A wheelchair can be provided if required. The vehicle can carry three additional passengers and also features an adapted front passenger seat which swivels, allowing people with limited mobility to get in and out more easily.

The Living Wage

Cotswold Friends is an accredited Living Wage employer.

The Living Wage is a voluntary higher rate of base pay above the minimum wage. It provides a benchmark for responsible employers who choose to pay their employees a rate that meets the basic cost of living.