Our team

We have a dedicated team of staff and a passionate Board of Trustees who together have contributed to our success.

Head office

smart

Julian Mines

Chief Executive

Julian joined Bristol Charities in May 2022 following five years as CEO of FareShare Southwest where he led the surplus food charity through a period of rapid growth and diversification. Prior to this, Julian has held several senior leadership roles in the Public and Voluntary Sectors, including for one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts, a children’s cancer charity, CEO of a re-use social enterprise, and work for the Department for Education. Julian also set up, developed and sold his own business, following several years in education, as an Adviser and lecturing Economics and Marketing in Further Education. Julian is a Trustee of Feeding Bristol.

Paul Smith - Finance Director

Paul Smith

Director of Finance & Operations MSci, ACA

Paul is a Chartered Accountant and has been Finance Director of Bristol Charities since joining in July 2020. Prior to this Paul has held a number of finance leadership and management roles within not-for-profit organisations, including Finance Manager for a large ecclesiastical charity and Chief Financial Officer for a South West-based education trust. Paul initially qualified in accountancy practice, specialising in educational and charitable organisations, and has since also undertaken a number of non-executive roles, including trustee of a local charity and governor of his local primary school.

rbt

Charity Wallis

Head of Community Development

Charity joined the team in September 2020, and is Head of Community Development. She has worked across numerous sectors such as the NHS, Finance, IT and Construction. She is a Prince2 qualified, green belt Lean Six Sigma trained project manager. She is devoted to driving change forward, and has an unquenchable optimism and vision of a better future. Charity is ebullient, and all about having fun, which is the pillar to how she lives her life. She is passionate about childhood enrichment, reducing isolation, and community. Charity agrees that “Having fun is not a diversion from a successful life, it is the pathway to it”.

Zoe Photo

Zoë Williams

Community Centre Manager

Zoe’s passion lies in bringing people together. For her day job as Community Centre Manager, that might look like a networking event for charities working within the Vassall Centre, or getting the community together to hold events that foster connection and conversation. Outside of work, she’ll be rounding people up to attend cultural events the South West has to offer. Zoe says “the world is a wonderful place, but we don’t hear much about that at the moment! My aim is to contribute more good news stories into the fold and give something positive back.”

smart

Hannah Smith

Grants & Centre Administration Officer

Hannah joined Bristol Charities in November 2022, initially as a Project Support Officer to help facilitate the charity’s move from central Bristol to the Vassall Centre. She is now both Grants Officer for Bristol Charities and Centre Administration Officer for the Vassall Centre. Hannah initially trained as a teacher at the University of the West of England and went on to work in primary education across Bristol. During a career break while her children were young, she set up a business making children’s clothes and accessories, and still enjoys sewing in her spare time. 

Website Photo Laura

Laura West

Office Manager

Laura is dedicated to raising awareness around mental health, and reducing the stigma that surrounds it. Since joining Bristol Charities in November 2022, she has implemented a Wellbeing Strategy, and is now Wellbeing Lead. She can usually be found helping her colleagues with queries, organising work or social events, and carrying out vital HR tasks. Her long-term goal is to found a mental health charity that can provide both one-off and long-term support for individuals in need. Laura enjoys singing & music, solo travelling, and swimming (or more likely floating) in the ocean! 

smart

Claire Leonidou

 Finance Officer

Claire joined Bristol Charities in February 2020 as a Grants and Finance Administrator. As the organisation has grown, her role has changed, and since November 2022 she has worked as Finance Officer. Claire has over 20 years of experience in the Finance sector, and works with Paul Smith on the day to day administration. She is passionate about working for an organisation that brings positive change to the community of Bristol. In her spare time, Claire likes to play board games and go out to the theatre.

 

Housing Team

Stuart Turner - Housing Officer

Stuart Turner

Housing Officer

Stuart has over 25 years experience of working for local authority and housing associations, in tenancy management and finance roles, before joining Bristol Charities in 2022. Stuart has a professional housing qualification, and began working in the sector after noting the positive difference that the housing officer could make to residents' quality of life. He believes that housing is more than bricks and mortar and is about helping people to overcome problems and enjoy their time with us. Stuart enjoys walks in the countryside, and has a lifelong passion for cinema, particularly film noir and 20th century British cinema.

Eileen Francis - Support Coordinator

Eileen Francis

Support Coordinator 

Eileen has now been working in the Housing Sector for 29 years. She previously managed supported accommodation for people with substances issues, struggling with mental health, and experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Eileen has now been with Bristol Charities for 2 years as a Support Coordinator, based at both Barstaple and John Fosters House in North Bristol.

Lyndsey Photo

Lyndsey Bartaby

Community Development Officer & Support Coordinator

Lyndsey has a dual role, working as a Support Coordinator for our Haberfield scheme, and as Community Development Officer for the surrounding area of Stockwood. Prior to Bristol Charities, she worked as an Independent Mental Health Advocate and in various care roles, and also has experience in activities and events. Her passion for improving and raising awareness on mental health issues and social equality is one of the major driving factors that has led her to work for us. Her interests include travel, photography, reading, live music and most things creative.

Helen Carter ID Photo

Helen Carter

Support Coordinator

Helen works as a Support Coordinator at Cwrt William Jones almshouse in Monmouth, Wales. Helen has worked in older peoples’ housing services since 2006; she worked for a Local Authority, a Housing Association and privately owned retirement developments. Her work has been in supporting people to live as independently as possible, and in facilities management. Helen has her own jewellery business, and is very engaged with her local community as chair of the local Village Hall committee and the Wye Valley Craft Association. She is also on the village fete committee, memorial green management committee, and is secretary for the local Church Lads’ and Church Girls Brigade.

Mel Easton - S.C

Mel Easton

Support Coordinator

Mel works part time at Haberfield House alongside Lyndsey. She has worked for Bristol Charities since 2022.

“I cannot thank you enough for helping me get a proper bed. I have been on a camp bed for 5 weeks. I have a spinal problem…that has got worse. Today I got an orthopedic three quarter bed, with a nice metal frame. It is so comfortable. Thank you so much. I medically needed a bed and I am looking forward to sleeping in comfort.
With gratitude.”

— Ms R. R - Grant recipient

Dear Sir, Madam and all who do the magnificent work at Bristol Charities,

You recently donated £120 to my mother, who has a damaged spine and neck; making sleeping very painful.

I got a memory foam from Bristol Bed Maker with other funds to make up the shortfall. It is wonderful!!! Thank you so much it really makes a difference!

— Mr G. B

Thanking you very much for the carpet you supplied to me. After many months of homelessness, I am now settled in my new flat.

Your generosity and kindness has helped me greatly and the contractors did a great job. Once again, Thank you.

— Mr R. M

Thank you to Bristol Charities and supplier for the Russel Hobbs oven which is brill! I had my first roast dinner this week.

Well done and I hope I can give back one day.

— Mr R. A

The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Bristol, BS16 2QQ