Our team
Our team
We have two part-time paid members of staff and a Befriending volunteer lead who work closely to manage the day-to-day business of Hands. The team is actively supported by the Trustees and a loyal team of office volunteers.
Tracey Merrett
Coordinator
Tracey has lived in Twickenham for over 30 years and joined Hands in 2024 following a successful career in Marketing with FMCG, retail, and travel businesses. She made the move to the charity sector in 2000 by volunteering for Samaritans and is delighted to now be working at the heart of her local community.
Rhiannon
Cruise-Cooper
Administrator
Rhiannon has lived in Twickenham for 10 years and joined Hands in April 2024 alongside her part-time role working for Mind in Kingston. Following her studies in psychology and MA in gender studies, she has worked in the voluntary sector with several charities, including Richmond Mind and RUILS and currently also works part-time for Cruse Bereavement Support.
Maggie Pope
Befriending
Maggie has lived in Twickenham for over 50 years and joined Hands upon her retirement following a successful career in nursing, health visiting and teaching. She is passionate about Hands Befriending services and truly understands the importance of visiting lonely, isolated local residents.
Trustees
Chris Webborn
Chair of Trustees
Chris moved to Twickenham in 2016 which was when he joined Hands and became Chair in 2023. Chris held senior roles in different manufacturing sectors and enjoys gardening, DIY, walking and photography and tries to keep fit with the Parkfit Bushy Park group. Both Chris and his wife, Liz befriend and shop regularly for clients.
Maurice Austin
Treasurer
Maurice has lived in Twickenham with his family since 1986 and became involved with Hands in 2017. He was a Partner in a London based firm of Chartered Accountants where he specialised in the 'not for profit' sector and has been Hands Treasurer since 2019. He’s also a Trustee and Treasurer of a local school’s charity and enjoys outdoor activities, DIY, food and wine.
Emma Slater
Emma joined Hands as a Trustee in November 2024, having held a variety of senior management positions in the financial sector. She has lived in Twickenham since 2006 with her husband and two children. A keen amateur singer, Emma co-founded and Chairs local Community Choir the Teddingtones and in her spare time enjoys walking her dog, water sports and travel.
Tom Blacksell
Following a long career in senior leadership positions across professional services, technology and data businesses, Tom started volunteering with Richmond Aid in 2021. He became a Trustee of Hands in 2023. He's lived in the Borough of Richmond for over 30 years and loves to spend time with family and friends, enjoys travel and various sports.
Shirley Patton
Shirley joined Hands in October 2024. Originally from Northern Ireland, she moved to England for university and has lived in Twickenham with her family for the last 30 years. With a 40-year career in publishing, Shirley enjoys travelling, painting, cooking, yoga and walking. She is a volunteer for the charity Dose of Nature.
Clara Stevenson
Clara has been a trustee of Hands since 2020 and also shops regularly for one of our clients. She enjoys working with Hands as a way to give back to the local community. She works in corporate sustainability and has previously worked with several charities. She lives in Twickenham with her family.
Tamasin Little
Tamasin has been a Twickenham resident for over 25 years and started volunteering for Hands in 2020 when her need to do something to help matched its need for new volunteers. She is a retired solicitor, having worked for many years as a partner in City and international law firms. She was a trustee and vice chair of Bipolar UK charity for nine years and became a Hands trustee in 2023.
Malcolm Johnson
Malcolm has worked across a diverse range of industries from insurance to music tuition and was registered Visually Impaired in his 30s. He joined Hands initially as a volunteer, then a Befriender and became a Trustee in 2023. Being now registered Blind, he knows how easy it is to become isolated and lonely when we are unable to do all we once did.
Office staff
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Chris Webborn
Chairman
Maurice Austin
Treasurer
Tracey Merrett
Co-ordinator
Rhiannon Cruise-Cooper
Administrator