I have been part of the team at Home-Start Cotswolds since it began in 2006. My previous experience includes supporting vulnerable people with housing issues, organising fundraising events and running a children and families team for the church. I feel very fortunate to have such a varied and rewarding job and to work with a brilliant team of trustees, staff and volunteers. I am married to Pete and we have three grown-up children.  I am very involved in my local church, Malmesbury Abbey, and enjoy gardening, running and lake swimming.

I joined the Home-Start Cotswolds team as Operations Manager in July 2024. I have previously been involved in running various stay and play groups and for the last few years I have been a senior administrator at Barnardos in Gloucester with the children centres, targeted family support and family groups. I have seen the benefits of Home-Start volunteers for families and I am excited to be supporting that amazing work. I have 2 school aged children with whom I attempt, with only mild success, to share my love of boardgames and Lego and I run, very slowly, with a social running club.

Having worked in education for over 20 years, I was looking for a new challenge and was lucky enough to join the Home-Start Cotswolds team in November 2022. As a former Home-Start volunteer, I’m all too aware of the difficulties many familes with young children face, so I can’t wait to use my skills and knowledge to help the families and volunteers I will work alongside. I know it will be really rewarding to make a difference and I feel privileged to be part of this process. I am married with two teenage children and we have a gorgeous rescue dog from Macedonia who keeps me fit on our daily walks. I enjoy dancing (any sort!) and my dream would be to go on Strictly Come Dancing! I love spending time with my family and friends and this year have ventured into the world of open water swimming.

Clare was involved with setting up Home-Start Cotswolds in 2005 and was a Trustee until 2023, when she became a Coordinator. She has lived in Cirencester for over 20 years and worked locally as a Health Visitor for much of that time, saying she found it a great help in that role to be able to have Home-Start as an additional support for families. 

I joined the Home-Start Cotswolds team in September 2024 and I’m passionate about perinatal health and empowering new parents through their matrescence and patrescence journey. I have previously worked in family support and ran my own childcare business for five years.

I have three children and we love to go away in our camper van. I’m a book worm and love all things holistic health; with a dose of heavy metal music on the side!

My desire to help mums with young children started many years ago when I was a new mum myself, juggling life with two young boys and the demanding job of a primary school teacher. My manager at the time lacked empathy and offered little support to staff with young families. It was at that point that I vowed never to forget how challenging it can be having a young family and so I was delighted to join Home Start in 2024, initially as a volunteer carrying out home visits and now as a member of staff involved in our parent and baby groups.

My two young boys are now in their twenties and I enjoy nothing more than when everyone comes home, filling the house with laughter and fun and noise!

I joined the Home-Start Cotswolds team as Group Worker in September 2026. Previously working at another Home-Start in the local area for 4years running Post-natal groups. My passion lies in creating group spaces for families to share, connect and grow. Having been a Home-Start volunteer I feel I understand what Home-Start is all about and the benefit we provide to the communities we work alongside.  I’m a parent of 2 children, facing the challenges of this role each day. In my spare time I enjoy reading, creative drawing and roller skating, preferably not all at the same time. 

I joined the Home-Start Cotswolds team as an Administrator in October 2022 and became Office Coordinator in January 2024, working in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I have previously worked for a women’s charity, supporting unemployed women back into work and for a charity supporting adults with disabilities. Outside of work, I have three children and two dogs that keep me busy (and let’s face it, slightly exhausted!).

I joined the Home-Start Cotswolds team as an Administrator in January 2024. I have been working with Home-Start since 2021 which has been a rewarding experience. I feel privileged to be able to work in an organisation that helps families to navigate the realities of life with young children. As a Dad of two school-aged children, I understand the triumphs and challenges that families face. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially experiencing new things together. I started running in 2023 which is a challenge in its own right – although one that I am secretly starting to enjoy!

Richard is married with two adult children and has lived in the Cotswolds for more than 25 years.  He has been one of our trustees since 2019 and became Chair of the board of trustees in July 2025.  He is a retired solicitor and now a part time sheep farmer having studied at the RAU between 2020 and 2023.

Steve became a Trustee in 2017 and was Chair from 2019 to 2023. He has a wealth of commercial experience, mainly gained working with NHS Trusts and local government, to Home-Start Cotswolds. Retired and living in the centre of Cirencester, Steve has four grown up sons and three grandchildren.

Having lived in Cirencester for 34 years, Pippa moved to Quenington 3 years ago. She is married with 2 sons, now in their 30’s, and she had a dog called Lettuce (who is still at home so keeps her company and very busy!)  Pippa enjoys rowing and is currently captain of the Cotswold Rowing Club.

Throughout her career, Pippa worked in Human Resources, she hopes to use these skills and experience to help the Home-Start Cotswold team.

Carla is an accountant with more than 10 years’ experience, who now runs her own company: Partridge Accountancy Services. She wants to contribute to her local community and is Treasurer for the Cirencester Scouts, as well as a care home. She is married, with a daughter and a dog and enjoys the outdoors.

David has three grown-up children and retired in 2004.  He moved into the Cotswolds in 2020 and was a trustee with Home-Start Woking & Runneymede since 2006 until then.  He saw Home-Start Woking through its successful merger with Home-Start Runneymede, which provided overall greater funding for the new scheme and optimal coverage for satisfied volunteers.

Claire joined Home-Start in January 2025 and is a mum of two young children.  Claire’s children keep her busy and teach her new things every day.

Claire is a qualified social worker and has worked in child protection and children’s services for the last 17 years.  Latterly, she managed teams including frontline social work teams, social work commissioning and fostering services.  Claire is passionate about the work of Home-Start and excited to have the opportunity to contribute to such an important service for children and their families locally.

Katy joined Home-Start as a Trustee in 2026, bringing with her 11 years of hands-on experience as a Home-Start volunteer.   As a result, Katy has a deep respect for Home-Start’s frontline service and a personal understanding of the immense challenges affecting modern families. Raising four boys herself, including premature twins, Katy has a firsthand perspective on how vital timely and empathetic support can be.

Katy knows the Cotswolds area well, her family has farmed locally for many generations, and she has been involved in the diversification of the business to now include Airbnbs and a small hotel.  Katy is looking forward to bringing this business experience together with her passion for family welfare to support the charity as a Trustee.

Marie joined our Trustee team in 2026 and lives in the Cotswolds with her husband, their 14-year-old son, and Rafa the dog.

With 20+ years in customer experience, data, and analytics, Marie is thrilled to join Home-Start Cotswolds as a trustee, and hopes that her experience can play a small part in supporting the wonderful work Home-Start already does for local families.

Carolyn was a Trustee at Home-Start Cotswolds from 2007 to 2026, with an emphasis on fundraising and profile raising. Previously, Carolyn was a home-visiting volunteer with the Home-Start Stroud scheme, supporting families there, before moving to live in Cirencester. Carolyn is also a volunteer at the Cirencester Foodbank and has four children and four toddler grandsons.  Since stepping down as a Trustee in 2026, Carolyn has taken on an advisory role.