TEAM

Our team

Contact Hostel is ran by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic women, with a passion to support the most vulnerable girls and women in our community.

The team have a wealth of experience including social care, finance, fundraising, independent living, disability issues and support work, ensuring the girls and young women at Contact have the right support to reach their true potential.

HANNAH
Operations Manager

Hannah has over 15 years banking and finance experience at management level.

‘‘Over the past 4 years I have seen the amazing work that Contact do. We help show young women that they can do anything they want to do, and with a bit of support and guidance it can be achieved. I enjoy working for Contact as you get to see first hand the good work that is done. I’m looking forward to helping the charity grow.’’

ALISON
Service Manager

Alison has worked for Contact since 2004.

She has vital first hand experience of the house, having first come to Contact for support when she needed help. She is also a foster carer.

“Contact is a charity close to my heart as they actually supported me when I was 18 and became homeless. I started working here in 2005 as a casual support worker and have moved up the ladder over time. I have supported hundreds of young women who have come to Contact over the years. 

Contact is not only a lovely supportive place to live for the young women, but its also a lovely supportive place to work. “

HELEN GAZARD
Fundraising & Income Partner

Helen joined Contact in 2023, having previously worked at a variety of local and national charities.

”I first discovered my love of fundraising whilst volunteering for my local hospice over 15 years ago, I loved knowing that my day to day work was helping to ensure the continuation of such an important charity. Since then I have worked at a number of local and national charities, as well as a few years running my own business. I was thrilled to be offered the role here at Contact Hostel, it’s like no other charity I have ever known. The positivity and support that is evident the minute you walk through the door is truly amazing. I look forward to helping Contact raise the funds it needs to continue such important work”

KAREN
Senior Support Worker

Karen has worked for Contact as a Senior Support Worker since 2010.

“I left school at 15 years old with no qualifications or aspirations but a desire to work hard and to help others. I worked in many unskilled positions before I enrolled in college at the age of 30 years and gained a BTEC Childhood Studies qualification with distinction grades. This gave me the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant in a primary school where I worked throughout all key stages.

I became a bank worker in care work before I had the good fortune of applying for a role as a support worker at Contact Hostel where I have worked for 11 years and I absolutely love it. The work is varied ranging from cleaning the house daily to supporting the girls in whichever area they may be struggling with whether this is practical living skills or emotional support. You have to work using your initiative and at times it can be very challenging, especially in the present climate where we are seeing more and more serious mental health problems but when you see the changes in every young person from moving into move-on it gives you great satisfaction. My aim is to give hope and support to young people at a time when they are at their most vulnerable and to help them move on from their past sometimes traumatic lives.”

ALEX
Support Worker

“For 3 years I worked as a healthcare assistant in a nursing home and later as a support worker where I completed my health and social course. I applied to work at Contact because I wanted to bring my previous experience of working with vulnerable individuals and their families and I feel I learnt so much during my time at contact. I met great people and I am privileged to be part of such lovely team who work extremely hard to ensure this very vulnerable part of our society is provided with a safe and loving home. I wanted to be in a place where I was supporting young people to become a better version of themselves, I wanted to do my part and contribute back to our society and being at Contact gives me that sense of achievement. I feel it’s a big responsibility, but this experience has been very inspiring so far and look forward to the future here at Contact.”

PHYLLIS
Support Worker

Phyllis has worked at Contact as a Support Worker since 2006.

CHRIS
Casual Support Worker

Chris has been a casual Support Worker at Contact since 2009 and has many years experience of working in various residential settings for children, young people and adults.

LISA
Casual Support Worker

Before working at Contact, Lisa was a Special Educational Needs support worker at her local primary school, delivering 1:1 support to children with additional needs, including those with autism and ADHD. This role increased her awareness and understanding of the challenges that are prevalent for young people today, enabling her to effectively support the young women that come through our doors at Contact.

“I feel very proud and honoured to be able to contribute to providing a safe, caring, and supportive environment for our Service Users. Our aim is to help them realise their full potential and go forward in life with confidence and positivity - and to succeed in whatever they want to achieve. With a warm, homely atmosphere and the friendliest of staff, I can honestly say it is the best place I have had the privilege to work!”