Brigstowe are proud and thankful to have a skilled board of trustees from various disciplines and backgrounds managing the overall strategic direction of the organisation. Here’s a little about each of them.
Tom (Chair)
Tom was born and raised in the Northeast, came to the West Country to study social work at Bath University in the late 80’s. Back then he was a volunteer with the Aled Richards Trust and Gay Switchboard in Bristol. He coordinated Bristol’s LGBT Youth Group for a couple of years in the early nineties. After qualifying as a social worker, he worked in Bristol with children and families and in the courts. Inspired by undertaking work in the courts, he embarked on a change of career to law, qualifying as a solicitor in 2001. As a solicitor he has specialised in representing two vulnerable client groups: children in family law cases and those lacking mental capacity in the Court of Protection.
Since 2006 Tom has been a partner in a law firm gaining experience in management, finance and business development.
Sheila Ollis(Vice Chair)
Sheila was born and educated in Zimbabwe. She has been a qualified nurse for 24 years both in Africa and in the UK. Sheila worked for 2 years in HIV and AIDS awareness in Zimbabwe with special interest in mother-to-baby transmission and management of HIV+ under 5s.
Sheila has volunteered at THT for several years and helped to run the Positive Women’s Group and also the Black and Ethnic Minority Group.
She is currently in the process of setting up and establishing her own home care business.
Diane Perry
Diane has been a trustee for Brigstowe since 2002 when the project operated as a landlord and was just embarking on developing a Housing Related Floating Support Service. She had been working in Social Housing for 20 years in roles relating to Practice and Service Development, Information Services and Training & Development, during which time she worked in the HIV organisational lead team for Service Development and Training & Development of staff, in relation to HIV and AIDS. More recently Diane has been working in Senior Operation roles in the Social Care sector.
She joined Guideposts Trust in August 2011 as Director of Services to take operational responsibility for all services including Quality and Health and Safety Systems and Policies. She is interested in the changing landscape and modelling of services to continue to meet needs.
She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and gained an MSc in Management Development and Organisational Change in 2004.
Diane is interested in the visual arts and holds a BA (Hons.) with the Open University. She enjoys making ceramics, gardening, designing and making jewelry and has some interest in photography.
Alison Scott
Alison is originally from Manchester and studied history at Bristol University. Following university she worked for an accountancy firm, then Bristol City Council in a variety of teams, including managing benefits, homelessness, rents, repairs and now tenancy management, which includes lettings and tackling antisocial behavior. She is also responsible for a youth project that includes refugees and care leavers. Alison brings useful knowledge of housing and commissioning. When she is not busy working, Alison enjoys watching football.
Simon Purkiss
Simon has over 10 years fundraising and marketing experience in the voluntary sector and is currently the Individual Giving & Legacy Manager for Above & Beyond. Born in Bristol, he is passionate about the city and equality.
Dominic Eastham – Treasurer
Dominic is a not-for-profit accountant. In his own words, he is ‘trying to make the world a better place one spreadsheet at a time’.
David Henshaw
Having lived in Bristol for 37 years I consider myself an adopted son of the city. I live with partner of 32 years Colin and our dog Tad, we enjoy all the normal socializing activities including good food, good company and good holidays!
My career has mainly been spent in recruitment, predominately working for specialist recruiters before moving into the third sector 9 years ago to take up a position with a national employment charity whose aim is to help those furthest away from the labour market back into employment.
I am keen to support the good work that Brigstowe continue to deliver and ensure that they are able to do so for many years to come.
Jeremy Horwood
Jeremy is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol. He specialises in developing and refining health interventions and evaluating their implementation in the ‘real world’. He is passionate about health services being designed and delivered to ensure equity of access, use and acceptability. He has worked in health research for over 20 years and lived in Bristol for over 25 years
Vicky Harwood
Vicky graduated in Classics from Newcastle University, and after volunteering in a homelessness hostel, has since remained working in the supported housing sector for 25 years, including 20 years as a manager/leader and in organisations ranging from national housing associations to local, grass roots charities, currently working for a Bristol based charity providing housing and support services for young people. Vicky is passionate about the support sector, fairness, professional standards of service delivery, innovation and improvements.
Vicky has lived in Bristol for over 15 years, and is interested in history, quizzes, and football (Grimsby Town FC – her hometown team!)
Jonathan Downing
Jonathan is originally from Sunderland and has lived in Bristol since 2015. In that time, he has worked as a campaigns assistant and policy advisor for senior local leaders, specialising in adult social care, public health, education and transport. He is passionate about reducing inequality and improving health outcomes across communities.
When not working, Jonathan plays as an enthusiastic but erratic defender for Bristol City Panthers FC – a local LGBTQ+ football club. He has in the past been persuaded to take up running (but only really enjoyed it when raising funds for charities like Brigstowe!).
Mark Hubbard
Mark Hubbard is an experienced leader, collaborator and strategic thinker. Educated first in science, then in marketing and management he brings professionalism, experience, curiosity and commitment. Works with many social enterprises, community and public organisations, creating, developing and implementing successful strategies, projects and programmes, delivering high impact services to a wide range of clients. Mark’s work has been recognised with a Leadership award. Key skills: Partnerships/collaboration; Project/programme management; Strategic development; Leadership; Facilitation and group work; Creative solutions.
Carole Johnson
Being of Afro Caribbean descent and growing up in Easton Bristol, I attended the local schools and always carried a deep concern and awareness of social injustices and inequalities.
This has motivated me to pursue roles which positioned me to better serve the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. This has included working as a primary school teacher and also a social worker. Serving as both school governor to four schools consecutively and hospital governor for University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust also as a Bristol Magistrate and Deputy Bench Chairman for all Magistrates across Avon and Somerset and serving as Local elected Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor. Representing as Chair of the Equalities and Communities task and finish group, BME Officer and Women’s Officer for the elected Labour Group.
My on going vision is to lay firm foundations, to sow seeds which create a climate and legacy of positive change and improvements that impact future generations to re-address the current societal imbalances and inequalities in our city, including those living with HIV/AIDS. To raise awareness and increase equity and equal life chances across all communities.
Matthew Areskog
Matthew is passionate about the charity and our vision. Having being diagnosed as HIV positive in 2014, Matthew knows first-hand the importance of community support for people living with HIV. Matthew started his journey with Brigstowe as a Peer Mentor, supporting newly diagnosed people locally. Matthew believes in the importance of connection and community and encouraging conversations about HIV as a way to reduce stigma and prejudice.
Matthew has worked in the health and social care sector across the South West for 17 years and is currently the Patient Experience and Voluntary Services manager at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. Matthew brings experience in partnership development, community engagement, strategic planning and volunteering and is really keen to ensure services are inclusive for everyone.
