Meet The Team

VCN SERVICES DIRECTOR & PEER MENTOR: BEDFORDSHIRE & NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

I founded The Veterans Community Network in 2019 and, as well as the founder member, I am VCN Service Director. I have over 25 years’ experience working in mental health and substance misuse services with both the statutory and third sector providers. Prior to this current role, my last post was working in the NHS as a Service Manager in substance misuse services. 

PEER MENTOR CLUSTER LEAD - WEST: BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE AND BERKSHIRE (B.O.B) & BEDFORDSHIRE LEAD FOR FINDING VETERANS IN CARE HOMES.

I am a veteran of the army having served with the RAMC for 9 years.

Since leaving the army, I have worked as a nurse in various organisations including Prisons and the NHS.

After taking early retirement in 2023, I decided to have a change of direction away from nursing and look to how I can support my former colleagues who like me, are veterans of military service. I am delighted to now be one of VCN’s peer mentors, working as the  Southeast Thrive Together Network Cluster Lead – West, covering Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

GENERAL MANAGER

I work part time as a self-employed member of the VCN team as the General Manager  for VCN, working on all the business administration elements to support VCN in the background. I have approximately 15 years experience in a variety of administration roles, a BTEC National Diploma in Business Studies, qualified to Associate Level CIPD Membership in Human Resources and an AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping with plans to further my education in order to continue to provide additional support to VCN in the near future. I have personal experience living with and supporting a Veteran within close family and therefore have an understanding and appreciation for the support and service that VCN offers to Veterans.

VCN CHAIR PERSON

   Coming from a military background it was natural that I joined the WRAC back in the early seventies, marrying a soldier who served for 22 years and raising two children in the military environment.

Before retirement, I worked for a local NHS organisation and part of my role was Armed Forces Covenant lead which led to the organisation achieving the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

In 2017, I was named as the most inspirational woman in Northampton for my commitment to improving the health and pastoral care of Veterans in the county.

VCN TRUSTEE

 A career soldier, joining the Army Apprentices College Harrogate at 16 years of age and completing over 38 years’ service in the Royal Corps of Signals attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Service life has provided the opportunity to serve in many locations around the world, including on operational deployments across the globe.

I hope to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from the many varied roles held during my military career that will help maintain the strong reputation that the Veteran Community Network has already established.

I truly value the opportunity I now have to contribute towards the development of the Veteran Community Network’s great work.

VCN TRUSTEE

From a young age I was never far from a uniform or rank structure. So it was no surprise I followed my Grandfather into the R.A.F when I turned 17yrs old. I worked in various location both home and abroad centred round vehicles, close protection, fleet management and instructing. After 18yrs I took redundancy and joined the police spending nearly all my career in detective roles and travelling across the U.K. and Europe and eventually global matters as well. I am never far from my ever growing family, music, football and the gym. So when I retired early I looked for a new challenge and VCN and being around Veterans has given me a drive and passion, I feel at home with.