Charlies Community Support

Joanne

Founder/CEO

As the Founder and Director of Charlie’s, my journey began over 20 years ago following my own diagnosis of breast cancer. During my recovery, I recognised through conversations with a close friend that there was a significant lack of support for people living with cancer and those navigating life beyond treatment. In response to this gap, Charlie’s was born in 2014. It is a privilege to lead …

As the Founder and Director of Charlie’s, my journey began over 20 years ago following my own diagnosis of breast cancer. During my recovery, I recognised through conversations with a close friend that there was a significant lack of support for people living with cancer and those navigating life beyond treatment. In response to this gap, Charlie’s was born in 2014. It is a privilege to lead Charlie’s and our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Supporting others is not only a blessing but a responsibility I hold with great pride. My role focuses on overseeing the day to day operations, guiding the charity’s development, and ensuring we continually strive to provide the highest standard of support to anyone affected by cancer. Alongside my leadership role, I am a trained Reiki therapist with extensive experience in holistic therapies, approaches that played a vital role in my own recovery. This personal experience fuels my commitment to helping others live well with and beyond cancer. Empowering people to rebuild confidence, wellbeing and hope remains at the heart of everything I do.

Paul Mount

Chairman & Patron

Charlie’s community cancer support and therapy centre is a testament to the vision set out by Jo and her team and the willingness by those being helped by Charlie’s to “give back” by being involved in the massive job of renovating the premises they use and decorating it to make it a warm and welcoming environment. People stopped being cancer victims and became builders, painters, carpenter’s, and …

Charlie’s community cancer support and therapy centre is a testament to the vision set out by Jo and her team and the willingness by those being helped by Charlie’s to “give back” by being involved in the massive job of renovating the premises they use and decorating it to make it a warm and welcoming environment. People stopped being cancer victims and became builders, painters, carpenter’s, and tea makers all with the common goal of creating this wonderful space. I have followed the progress of Charlie’s closely over the last six years, attending some of their events and contributing with my own local fundraising events, and was delighted when Jo invited me to become their Patron in March 2020. The announcement of me becoming Patron was held at the six-year anniversary celebration of Charlie’s and it was wonderful to see the centre full to the brim of those receiving support, supporter’s and volunteers. I expressed my feelings and thanks to Charlie’s, in my acceptance speech, and was a little surprised how emotional I became. Many others in the group also became emotional and it was a real reflection on how much Charlie’s means to so many in so many ways.

Ness

Families & Youth Worker, Trustee

Ensuring support for the emotional and wellbeing impacts of a family members cancer diagnoses and maintaining their need for an advocate, I have been working with children, young people and families affected by cancer for 10 years and passionate about continuing to support and promote the wellbeing of children and young people affected by cancer.

Ensuring support for the emotional and wellbeing impacts of a family members cancer diagnoses and maintaining their need for an advocate, I have been working with children, young people and families affected by cancer for 10 years and passionate about continuing to support and promote the wellbeing of children and young people affected by cancer.

Kelly

Trustee

Kelly, a Cancer Nurse Specialist, works at both our Gloucestershire hospitals. She helps Charlie’s to understand what support services are needed, and takes information about Charlie’s provision back to the consultants, clinics and patients that need us.

Kelly, a Cancer Nurse Specialist, works at both our Gloucestershire hospitals. She helps Charlie’s to understand what support services are needed, and takes information about Charlie’s provision back to the consultants, clinics and patients that need us.

Joanna Brown

Treasurer

It is my privilege to oversee the financial stewardship of our charity, having used Charlie’s services first hand I know how important the work is to support anyone affected by cancer. The Charity has grown significantly since its beginnings in 2014, and with that growth comes an increased responsibility to safeguard our resources and plan for long term sustainability. I work closely with our …

It is my privilege to oversee the financial stewardship of our charity, having used Charlie’s services first hand I know how important the work is to support anyone affected by cancer. The Charity has grown significantly since its beginnings in 2014, and with that growth comes an increased responsibility to safeguard our resources and plan for long term sustainability. I work closely with our Director, Trustees, staff team and volunteers to ensure that our finances remain stable, resilient and aligned with our mission. Most importantly, I see every financial decision through the lens of impact. Whether it’s funding a youth support session, maintaining our Gloucester Centre, or expanding our satellite hubs, my focus is on ensuring that our resources create the greatest possible benefit for the individuals and families who rely on us. It is an honour to support a charity that makes such a meaningful difference every day. Thank you to everyone, donors, fundraisers, partners and volunteers who help to make our work possible. Your generosity ensures that Charlie’s can continue to be a lifeline for thousands of people navigating the challenges of cancer. My role is to ensure that every pound entrusted to us is managed responsibly, and in a way that directly strengthens the support we provide to people affected by cancer across Gloucestershire.

Rose Sawyers

Trustee

It is an honour to be apart of Charlie’s not only as an experienced Reflexologist but as a dedicated Trustee. I enjoy advising the board based on mine and our other therapists experience as a long standing advocate for holistic wellbeing within the community. With a deep understanding of the physical and emotional challenges faced by people affected by cancer, presenting this to the board plays …

It is an honour to be apart of Charlie’s not only as an experienced Reflexologist but as a dedicated Trustee. I enjoy advising the board based on mine and our other therapists experience as a long standing advocate for holistic wellbeing within the community. With a deep understanding of the physical and emotional challenges faced by people affected by cancer, presenting this to the board plays a vital role in shaping Charlie’s approach to complementary therapies and accessible support. Bringing my knowledge of many years of professional practice, I know first hand how therapies such as reflexology can help reduce stress, improve relaxation and support overall wellbeing. I am also very passionate and active in the community of Gloucestershire about community engagement, actively promoting Charlie’s services across Gloucestershire, building relationships with local groups, health professionals and wellbeing networks to raise awareness of the support available. This helps us reach individuals and families who may otherwise feel isolated or unsure where to turn. I enjoy being a part of the board contributing to strategic decision making, governance and service development, ensuring that holistic, person centred care remains at the heart of our charity.