Cheltenham Housing Aid Centre is overseen by a Board of Trustees with a wide range of complementary skills and experience. The advice workers at CHAC run the organisation as a flat management structure and as such all staff are involved in the delivery of front-line services as well as being managers of the organisation.
The Advice Team
Mary
Mary has worked in the voluntary sector for over 30 years. She came to CHAC after working in services for young people and in supported housing for people with mental health challenges.
She has worked at CHAC for over 23 years in a range of roles, setting up a volunteer programme called Housewarmers, running a deposit bond scheme and delivering housing advice to people with mental ill health.
Louise
Louise has worked for CHAC for over 23 years. She has delivered general housing advice services and specialist services; providing advice to people with mental health challenges and those with substance misuse issues.
Prior to working at CHAC, Louise worked as an Outreach Worker for Rethink and has worked in a supported housing projects for homeless people.
Charmaine
Charmaine previously worked for a young people’s homelessness project as an advice worker before coming to work for CHAC. She has been at CHAC for over 17 years. She has delivered a deposit bond scheme, a general housing advice service and a specialist housing advice service for people with substance misuse issues.
The Trustees
Sara – Chair
Sara has been a Board member since 2020 and Chair of the Board since 2022. She worked in Cheltenham for over 25 years for a local social housing provider and now works for a social housing provider in Bristol in a senior role.
Sara has also been a non-executive Director for Gloucestershire Credit Union and a Governor at Naunton Park School in Cheltenham.
Hazel – Secretary
Hazel has been on the CHAC board ever since its formation 36 years ago. She is also active in local politics, her village and church life.
Tom – Treasurer & Vice Chair
Tom Cadogan has been on the Board of Trustees since 2013 and is the Treasurer and vice-chair. He is currently employed as the Chief Financial Officer for the Balcarras Trust. He is also the chair of Governors for Glenfall School in Cheltenham and a leader in the Scout Association.
Alan – Trustee
Alan joined the Board of in 2020. He volunteers for and is on the Board of Community Connexions and served on the Board of Age UK Gloucestershire for nine years. Alan’s career was spent in education, in the UK and overseas, management training, and as a senior manager in the overseas development sector with Save the Children and WaterAid.
Gwen – Trustee
Gwen joined CHAC in 2023 and brings experience in marketing and business management. Her expertise in strategic planning and implementation means she has guided organisations through complex transformations. As a trustee for CHAC she brings strategic vision and problem solving skills.
Kelly – Trustee
Kelly has worked in housing and community work in Cheltenham for nearly 20 years and joined the board of Trustees in 2023.
Kelly was keen to support CHAC after her family were helped by them in 2005.