Trustees

We are managed by a board of trustees who bring experience in operational and financial management and marketing at a senior level. Most of the trustees became involved because of their experience as carers.

Mary Whittington – Chair

I am a retired Architect and Project Manager. I have spent the last 20 years working in the private sector, working in partnership with the NHS and other healthcare providers, supporting them to improve the patient experience and generate savings.

I will apply my experience in project management, business development and strategic thinking to the Board of Trustees.

Jen Cheshire – Vice-chair

I am the National Implementation Project Manager for a young person’s charity. I manage the development and UK rollout 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 am excited to join the Carers Support Centre as a Trustee.  

Jen Tomkinson

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 a 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, and 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. 

Louise Manley

I have a background in health, social policy and public involvement. My most recent role for the past 8 years was as the Head of Patient and Public Involvement for South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. This experience has given me invaluable insight into how local health services are commissioned and the importance of partnership working. 

My passion has always been to ensure 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 hope to be able to bring my considerable experience in public involvement to the Carers Support Centre to genuinely improve the lives of carers in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area. I grew up in Bristol and this combined with my work experience gives me a passion and an excellent knowledge of the local area.  

I have first-hand experience of being a carer. I am passionate about supporting carers and ensuring that the views and experiences of carers help shape the support, information and advice appropriate to their needs. I believe the work of the Carers Support Centre is crucial to securing better outcomes for carers and those who they care for and hope that I will be able to contribute positively to this during my role as trustee. 

Pearl Raymond

I am a carer for my son and have previously cared for my mother. As a woman of colour, I feel it is very important to represent minorities, so becoming a trustee is an opportunity to connect with other carers and understand how difficult a job caring is. 

I volunteer for Carers Support Centre as a telephone befriender and Carers Representative, which gives me insight into other aspects of caring for our loved ones. Juggling multiple tasks in order of priority is a daily occurrence when you are a carer – finding time for yourself is not easy! 

I believe having a diverse group of trustees will help to eliminate stigma and encourage others to join. 

Sian Jones

I have worked in the NHS all my career after training as a nurse in London. I have worked in a range of senior positions in different settings. As a registered nurse I have specialised in intensive care, but my experience since then has been varied. Roles have involved evaluating and improving patient services, workforce education and training and commissioning services for the Bristol population. It was when I set up a nursing outreach service for people with long-term respiratory conditions in Cardiff that my understanding of the carers’ role and its challenges began to grow and eventually led to this voluntary Trustee role with Carers Support Centre. 

I work in Bristol at the West of England Academic Health Science Network. This NHS organisation works with acute, mental health and commissioning organisations, universities and public health teams to support the spread of best practice for improved patient safety across the West of England. 

Outside of work I volunteer for Bristol Incredible Edibles and enjoy swimming outdoors whenever possible, whatever the temperature! 

Graham Hunt

I am married with two children and four grandchildren. Trained as an accountant, I became FD and General Manager of a steel stockholding group before moving to Bristol and spending 25 years as FD of McArthur Group Ltd. where I had a wide range of responsibilities. I have also been Chairman of the Board of John Riddel & Son Ltd.. 

There have been Carers within my family: no doubt this provoked the interest which led to my being a founding Trustee and Treasurer of Frenchay Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme – a role I held for about ten years. Subsequently, I have ensured that organisations I have been involved with supported Carers and Young Carers organisations – financing projects, events and equipment for them.  

My aim is to use my business and carer organisation experience – and my enthusiasm – to help make life better for users of, and all involved with, Carers Support Centre. 

Page last updated 27.02.24