Meet The CARM Team

I suddenly realise that I have had quite a long career, spanning 36 years ! I didn’t think I was that old.

I’ve worked mainly in the finance and social care contracting fields, at Dungeness A and B Power Stations, Dover Harbour Board and Kent County Council Social Services. I have also worked at CARM before, and most recently I worked at John Lewis in the Ashford store as a Selling Partner.
I’ve really enjoyed all of my previous roles, and am always particularly happy when I am working in a productive team who are providing an excellent service. I therefore know that I’m going to enjoy my second stint at CARM.

My focus will be to support the team to ensure that we continue to provide the much needed services across our operating area, develop new services and ensure that we have the funds to do so.

Hi, I'm Sharon. August 2018 has seen me celebrate my first year working for CARM. My title is Finance and Administration Assistant and I usually work Wednesday; Thursday and Friday.

If you phone the office, it will probably be me that initially answers your call. I deal with everything to keep the office functioning; ordering stationery, ensuring the photocopier ink is topped up and very importantly paying the expenses claims of our fantastic volunteers.

Hi, I’m Holly. I started as Meeting Point Co-ordinator in January 2017. I have the pleasure of attending our Meeting Points and seeing CARM’s ethos in action – people making friends and having a laugh over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit, enjoying the raffle, and planning their next outing together. You’ll see me on a regular basis at each Meeting Point, but I can also help if you would like to know more about the Meeting Point closest to you, or you’d like to arrange for a ‘buddy’ volunteer to meet you for your first few visits, as we know that joining a new group can be a nervous time, although we really are a friendly bunch!

Hi, I’m Victoria. I started as Development Officer in September 2019. It is an exciting role, full of challenges. Ensuring CARM can progress and continue its good work is at the heart of all I do.
The services that CARM provides are so valuable and needed across our community and they make a real difference to people’s lives every day. I will be making sure that message gets out to businesses and across social media, drumming up funding and support so our services can extend, grow and advance in the future.

Loneliness is one of the biggest issues of our times, so it is lovely to work in a role where you can have an impact on the way people feel about having someone of their own to talk to.
Our volunteers are the glue that holds the service together. With the other two co-ordinators, my role is to ensure volunteers have a good volunteering experience and are matched to a client they feel they can really make a difference to through their weekly visits.

I’m Fiona. I’ve worked in the voluntary sector since 1999 initially working for a Countywide disability charity. I am experienced in project management, fundraising, volunteer management, safeguarding and reminiscence. CARM is a great charity to be involved with. I love my work coordinating the reminiscence service, thanks to the efforts and support of a wonderful team of volunteers. Together we enjoy encouraging and learning about the memories of all the lovely individuals that join us each week at the sessions, either talking or musical.

I’m Katie. We have many fantastic volunteers who give generously of their time to support hundreds of older people through talking and musical reminiscence. My job is to ensure they can continue to do so as seamlessly as possible. That can mean anything from booking dates for volunteers and care settings and organising rotas, to designing the reminiscence sessions and prop-bag packing, to singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’ or even (on one memorable occasion) dressing up as a daffodil!

Hiya I’m Zena, I began working for CARM in April 2014 and absolutely love it .
As loneliness has become recognised by Government as a serious problem, CARM’s role within the community is never more important. As a befriending co-ordinator we aim to provide our clients with a volunteer visitor who improves their wellbeing.
We never forget how important our volunteers are; when we match a lonely person with one of our wonderful volunteers, we make a difference, CARM makes their life better. That’s why I love working here.