ORCHARD TRUST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Stowfield Development Manager
Originally from Brazil, I moved to the UK in 2010 and I joined the Trust in June 2019, as I felt highly connected and drawn to Orchard Trust's ethos and values. In January 2021 I stepped up as Day Services Manager, which has led me to my current role of Stowfield Development Manager.
Cathy has been CEO since 2017 and worked for Orchard Trust since 2014 as Finance Manager.
Cathy's passion is people - supporting everyone to reach their potential and to have fun along the way. She is delighted to lead a charity which shares these ambitions and works daily to ensure the best environment for the Trust's clients; their families; employees; bank staff and volunteers.
Alongside her CEO role, Cathy sits on the SW Regional Stakeholder Network for the Disability Unit in the Cabinet Office supporting Government to understand and reduce the challenges faced by those with disabilities, and the Skills for Care SW CEO Network reviewing Training needs within Adult Social Care.
Prior to working for Orchard Trust Cathy's career has been either within the not for profit sector or for organisations focussed on helping people. She worked within accounts for Priory Education and Children's Services and as Finance and HR Manager for NFU Mutual. She also enjoyed many years as treasurer and payroll clerk and committee member for her local playgroup.
A passionate believer in lifelong learning Cathy achieved her accounting qualifications 2008 then, having realised her passion was people not pennies, changed her job and career focus completing CIPD levels 4 and 5 in Human Resource Management by 2014. Following her promotion to CEO she continued her personal development and undertook CMI level 7 in Strategic Management and Leadership in 2018.
Away from the Trust Cathy is a Governor with Heart of the Forest Community Special School supporting the Head Teacher and team to provide inspiring education to the pupils. In her spare time she enjoys relaxing with her family, reading, and exploring the countryside in her campervan.
Job Titles:
- Home Manager - Hilltop & Supported Living
I have worked in Social care since 2015 and have a variety of experience within Adult care focusing in areas such as Dementia, End of life and Learning disabilities.
I started working for the Orchard Trust in 2018 as a support worker in our Supported living homes and since then I have been successful in promotion to team leader, deputy manager and now registered manager
I have completed my L5 Diploma in Adult Social Care management, IOSH along with a variety of open university courses to develop my knowledge and understanding
I am extremely passionate about staff's mental health and wellbeing and am also the Lead in this area.
Job Titles:
- I Was Born in the Dilke Hospital and As a Child Lived in Lydbrook
I joined the Orchard Trust Finance Department in November 2015 and was promoted to the role of Finance Manager in Spring 2017. I have worked in finance for over 20 years and I achieved my AAT qualification whilst working in my previous role for a multinational manufacturing company.
I applied to work for the Orchard Trust as I wanted to work for an organisation where what I did made a difference. Working for a charity that enhances people's lives gives great job satisfaction. I enjoy visiting our services, it is great to see the bonds that are formed between our support workers and their clients.
I am a trustee for the Charity Finance Group, a membership body who support finance professionals in the charity sector. This is a rewarding role where I am able to not only contribute to the great work of the CFG but also provide a voice for charities within the care sector and in more rural locations.
I joined the Orchard Trust in 2013, firstly as a Deputy Manager at Hilltop and Supported Living and then became Registered Manager of these services in April 2021. In December 2024 I was promoted to Training and Operations Manager. I love my job and thoroughly enjoy working for The Orchard Trust. I am passionate about our values and the care and support we deliver across the Forest of Dean.
I have worked in health and social care with adults with learning disabilities all my working life. At age 15 I went to Deanhill Hospital on work experience and started there as a full time care assistant when I left school. When the hospital closed I was seconded to Aspire Living Ltd based in Herefordshire and worked my way up the ladder. Firstly as a team leader and then Deputy Manager by age 23. Two years later in 1998 I became a Registered Manager for the first time.
I worked for Aspire Living Ltd for 20 years, during this time I managed three different homes and finally became Service Manager for Aspire's supported living service.
In 2013 I was made redundant and decided to take a step back to concentrate on my teenage children and successfully applied for the Deputy Managers post at Hilltop.
I spent my professional career in Human Resources ending up as HR Director in a number of blue chip companies. I live in South Wales on a smallholding with chickens, horses and a small collection of dogs. I'm a keen environmentalist, walker and gardener. I have three children, the eldest Daniel is in supported living with the Trust. My wife and I helped set up the charity Headlines which supports children and young adults with Craniofacial conditions. I have been involved with the Trust since 2008.
Job Titles:
- Home Manager - Orchards Site
I started working for Orchard Trust in April 2024 as Registered Manager of Offa's Dyke and The Orchards. I have worked in social care for almost 20 years and have previous experience in managing supported living, respite, outreach and mental health services.
I have a Diploma 5 in Health and social care management, and have previously completed various other qualifications including IOSH and also held the role of fire trainer. I am extremely passionate about providing high quality care and empowering people to live their best lives. I believe strongly in supporting staff to develop and progress in their roles, to improve outcomes and services for all.
I am from South Wales and currently live in Newport. I have a young Son and Baby daughter who take up the majority of my time outside of work. I enjoy music and comedy and access live shows and festivals whenever I get a chance
I joined The Orchard Trust in 2009 as a support worker for Offa's Dyke and moved over to work at the Therapy suite in 2012 as a supervisor. I was then promoted to Therapy Suite Manager and Day Service Deputy Manager in 2021 and was promoted again in 2024 to Stowfield Site Operational Manager, which oversees the Therapy Suite, Day Service and Smallholding.
I started working for the Trust in October 2012 as the registered manager of The Orchards and Offa's Dyke. I previously worked for a similar Charity for 16 years as a registered manager of a care home and home care and support service in the neighbouring county of Herefordshire.
I became the Head of Support for the Trust in 2023. I am a qualified social worker and hold the Registered Managers award along with diploma's in Health and Social Welfare levels 3 and 4. I am also an NVQ assessor and Social Work practice teacher and Institution of Safety and Health (IOSH) trained and Positive Behaviour Support trainer.
Originally from the Forest of Dean, I still live locally on the Herefordshire border with my wife, 4 children and our dog. I am a local Scout Leader and school Governor, with responsibility for safeguarding and LAC. I enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of living in this beautiful area and enjoy walking, canoeing, climbing and camping.
I joined the Trust in early 2024 as HR Manager, having recently relocated from North East London and have a wealth of employment law, training and neurodivergence experience. Before coming to the Trust, I worked as a HR Advisor for Westons Cider and as a Network Designer for BT Openreach. While with BT I also worked as a union representative supporting members through formal HR processes, and worked up to become BT's representative for London. I also volunteered as a school governor for two years before moving to the countryside.
Passionate about helping others and supporting those with additional challenges, alongside HR and Union advising I held the post of Education and Training Officer for the campaign group Neurodivergent Labour.
Outside work I enjoy spending time with my family and two young children, listening to alternative music, making miniature models with a home 3D printer and exploring the rural area around my new home.