Our team
We have a dedicated team of staff and a passionate Board of Trustees who together have contributed to our success.
Head office
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
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.
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 passionate about childhood enrichment, reducing isolation, and community.
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.
Jo Stokes
Development Manager
Jo has worked in the local voluntary sector for the past 20 years, with a focus on advocacy, community development, and volunteering. She has experience working directly with people, as well as leading strategic change in her roles as the CEO of a small charity and as a trustee. Jo's background is rooted in her Social Work MA/DipSW.
“Bristol Charities is going through a period of significant change and I love the challenge and variety of work that this presents. Being Development Manager means no day is the same!”
Sophie Jerrold
(She/Her)
Director of Fundraising & Communications
Sophie has a proven track record in neuroscience research, the arts, and social change sectors. With a 20-year career in the VCSE sector, she has driven sustainable growth, fostered impactful collaborations, and built strong partnerships. Communicating impact and purpose has been central to ensuring initiatives create meaningful, lasting change.
“I love my city and am thrilled to build partnerships and secure funding that empower communities and the VCSE sector to tackle inequality and deprivation across Bristol. By fostering collaboration, we can create lasting, meaningful change.”
Polly Tisdall
Volunteer Coordinator
Polly has previously coordinated and supported volunteers and active residents for Shelter, The Network Bristol and a range of community and professional theatre projects. Her work as a theatre-maker and storyteller has taken her into lots of different communities and organisations, from social care charities to outdoor Shakespeare!
“I find it rewarding meeting local people and connecting them with each other - and watching how that changes things from the ground up!”
Diana Finch
Finance Manager
Diana's background is in charity finance and charity leadership, where she's held a number of leadership positions over the last 25 years. She ran the Bristol Pound in its final years, and has written a book about the changes that are needed in our economic system to address humanity's growing social and environmental problems.
“It's great to be working with an organisation that both has such a long history and is open to changing itself to keep pace with the ever-changing needs of today.”
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 change; since November 2022 she has worked as Finance Officer. Claire has over 20 years of experience in the Finance sector. 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.
Hannah Smith
Grants Officer
Hannah joined the team in November 2022, initially as a Project Support Officer to help facilitate the charity’s move to the Vassall Centre. She now works as Grants Officer. 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 enjoys sewing in her spare time.
Michelle Moorcraft
Centre Administrator
Michelle joined Bristol Charities in October 2024 following 21.5 years working as a Business Manager in primary school. The role gave experience in finance, HR, H&S and everything else that happens within a school setting! As a trustee of a local church, who support a school in Zambia, a visit to the school a couple of years ago was a life-changing.
“I'm passionate about customer care and high standards so that Bristol Charities provides an excellent resource for people and organisations to meet and achieve their objectives.”
Housing Team
Stuart Turner
Housing Officer
Stuart has over 25 years experience of working for local authority and housing associations, 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 has a lifelong passion for cinema, particularly film noir and 20th century British cinema.
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 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, in various care roles, and also 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, and live music.
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.
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