Staff

Cotswold Friends has a dedicated and friendly team of staff.

Cotswold Friends Team Photo cropped
Joanna Hammond BSc DipM

Joanna Hammond BSc DipM

CEO

Joanna worked for Cotswold Friends for four years with responsibility for all aspects of Marketing before stepping up to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Read more

Her previous Marketing role involved spreading the word about Cotswold Friends and the work we do in the Cotswolds community. She has many years of Marketing experience, gained mainly within the healthcare sector, as well as three years working in direct sales. Joanna has planned, developed and launched numerous marketing campaigns from market research and analysis through to print and press work, events programmes and website development. Whilst working in the pharmaceutical industry her specialist areas of knowledge included Diabetes, Elderly Care, Cancer Care, Contract Manufacturing and Corporate Marketing. She has also worked for a Medical Devices company developing and launching online educational training resources for nurses. Joanna plays league badminton and enjoys sport, gardening and reading.

Sue Thomas

Sue Thomas

Finance and Office Manager

Sue joined Cotswold Friends in November 2015 as administrator and bookkeeper. Sue’s charity sector knowledge combined with her event management experience and organisational skills make her a valuable member of the Cotswold Friends team.

Read more

Sue spent time in a variety of administration roles during her career and was also front of house manager for a wedding events company and the principal of a drama academy. She has also set up and managed a Sixth Form College for special needs students as well as being very active in charity work, setting up events and fundraising for a variety of organisations. In her spare time, Sue loves spending time with family.

Holly Townsend

Holly Townsend

Office Administrator

Holly is our Office Administrator, bringing warmth, efficiency, and a friendly face to the team. She lives in Moreton with her husband and their two young sons, having relocated from the Midlands in 2017.

Read more

Before joining us, Holly spent 15 years working in the weddings and events industry, where she developed a strong eye for detail and a talent for organisation—skills she now brings to her role every day. Whether she’s keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes or helping the team stay on track, Holly is a key part of what makes our office tick. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find Holly enjoying a walk through Batsford Arboretum—her favourite local spot to unwind and soak up some fresh air.

Georgia Wyld

Georgia Wyld

Volunteer Manager

Georgia joined Cotswold Friends as our Volunteer Manager in May 2025.

Her previous experience is in Project Management, working primarily in the technology industry. Most recently she worked managing projects that created bespoke software for other companies, councils and universities to bring their ideas to life.

Read more

Georgia is originally from South Wales, and when living there volunteered for a few different charities all supporting young adults with Down’s Syndrome. These activities encouraged members with socialising, independence, and life skills.

When not working, you’ll find Georgia spending quality time with her family, going for long doggo walks or at the theatre or concerts.

Julie Lawton

Julie Lawton

Young Friends & Volunteer Administrator

Julie supports the Volunteer Manager and is also responsible for coordinating student volunteers aged 14-18 years in our Young Friends programme, where there are various projects from Befriending, supporting Community Groups, Marketing, Arts & Crafts, and Fundraising which they can get involved in.

Read more

Befriending and supporting Community Groups aims to bring younger and older generations together to help reduce loneliness and isolation which can impact the health and wellbeing of any age group.

Claire Harrison

Claire Harrison

Community Transport Manager

Claire is responsible for the overall management of our Community Transport Service, having previously worked as the Planning and Scheduling Manager at the Fire Service College in Moreton for four years and served over 22 years with the College in many different roles. She has a wealth of experience in customer service, resource and project management, scheduling, planning and IT.

Read more

Claire has lived in Moreton-in-Marsh for over 30 years. Having moved to the North Cotswolds for a job, she then met a local who was to become her husband and raised two children who have now moved in with their own partners. When her children were young, Claire ran the local Mother and Toddler group, then volunteered on the Moreton Playgroup Committee, followed by the Friends of St David’s Committee. At the Fire Service College, Claire was the Treasurer for the Mess Club charity for many years. She is now putting her experiences to good use for Cotswold Friends.

Anne Holmes

Anne Holmes

Community Transport Booking Desk Administrator

Anne is a member of our Transport Booking Desk team. Anne has previous experience working with the residents and visitors of a care home and puts her knowledge to use working with our clients in this busy department.

Read more

Anne works with our Booking Desk volunteers to organise the transport our Community Transport members, liaising with the volunteer drivers to arrange transport for medical, practical, and social appointments. This enables people who are unable to drive themselves, or use public transport, to remain independent and socially active.

Kathy Fossey

Kathy Fossey

Community Transport Booking Desk Administrator

Kathy joined Cotswold Friends in November 2021 as a member of the Transport Booking Desk team. Kathy has a wealth of experience in the transport industry and puts her knowledge to excellent use within this busy department.

Read more

Kathy works with our Booking Desk volunteers to organise the transport our Community Transport members, liaising with our volunteer drivers to arrange transport for medical, practical, and social appointments. This enables people who are unable to drive themselves, or use public transport, to remain independent and socially active.

Community Transport Drivers

Community Transport Drivers

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

We operate a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle as part of our Community Transport Service, with the help of a generous grant from the Weston Anniversary Fund. We have drivers operating this service who are fully trained members of staff.

Read more

The Volkswagen Caddy has been specially adapted to carry a person whilst seated in a wheelchair, meaning that transfer from wheelchair to car and back again is no longer needed. A wheelchair can be provided if required. The vehicle can carry three additional passengers and also features an adapted front passenger seat which swivels, allowing people with limited mobility to get in and out more easily.

Karen Saffarian

Karen Saffarian

Fundraiser

Karen is the newest member of our Fundraising team.

She is a non-practising solicitor and has spent years as a Business Development professional. She speaks four languages after having lived overseas. Karen became familiar with Cotswold Friends when an elderly neighbour told her that she was a volunteer driver for them. This lady was the inspiration behind Karen wanting to know more about the charity.

Read more

Karen enjoys walking her dog and volunteering at a local stables.

Masum Hussain

Masum Hussain

Community Activities Manager

Read more

Coming Soon…

Laura Preston

Laura Preston

Community Activities Administrator

Laura started working for Cotswold Friends in June 2025 as the new Community Activities Administrator and she absolutely loves it. She has worked in managerial roles within fashion brands, hospitality in the catering industry and administration roles for other companies as well as her own.

Read more

She moved over the border from Oxfordshire several years ago with her two lovely Children and their dog Stella. They love spending their weekends sampling what the coffee shops have on offer, visiting family (back over the border) and taking trips to the seaside. They all love living in Moreton and being a part of this vibrant community which has really made them feel at home.

Laura is currently training to become a Psychotherapist, focusing on the skills and methodology within; Transactional Analysis, Psychoanalysis, Cognitive behavioural therapy and Person-centred therapy, helping her to build positive relationships, work ethically and alongside client diversity. Her training facilitates her when meeting new clients at Cotswold Friends, “it’s lovely to have a cross over of roles and its great to be able to put my listening skills to good use”.

Mark Prettyman

Mark Prettyman

Men in Sheds Project Worker

Mark joined us in July this year! He is responsible for the day-to-day running of Men in Sheds to promote the valuable practical skills to work on both community and individual projects while uplifting the camaraderie and peer support that the shed environment provides for all those who attend.

Read more

Mark has lived in Moreton in Marsh for over 12 years, his connection to the town goes back to his apprenticeship in the 70s, with a wide experience in crafts, design & programming, Mark hopes to bring new ideas and increase public awareness of the Men in Sheds throughout the North Cotswolds.

Katy Gunn

Katy Gunn

Marketing Co-ordinator

Katy joined Cotswold Friends in August 2023.

She originally grew up in the area and has returned home after 12 years away in Brazil, South Africa, London, Oxford, and a motorhome!

Read more

Katy has worked extensively in Marketing, Design, and Communications throughout her career, primarily in the theatre and charity sectors and enjoys bringing her skills to Cotswold Friends to broaden the reach and exposure of the wonderful work that is done here.

Jessica O'Hara

Jessica O'Hara

Support Services Manager

Jess has worked in the Care Sector for over 10 years and has extensive experience with nursing, residential and domiciliary care. Jess is very passionate about supporting individuals to remain as independent as safely possible.

Read more

Jess has previously worked as a Registered Care Manager and knows the North Cotswolds well. During her time working in care, she has achieved her level 3 & 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Jess grew up in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. Before becoming a mum of two, Jess enjoyed travelling and spent one year living in Australia. Jess moved to Moreton-in-Marsh in 2016. She enjoys living in Moreton and enjoys supporting people in her local community.

Harriet Salvage

Harriet Salvage

Deputy Support Services Manager

Harriet joined Cotswold Friends in November 2017 and though her role has changed several times over the years she has always working with the Support Services Team. She became Deputy Support Services Manager in January 2025 and is very passionate about providing the right support for Cotswold Friends Clients by building lasting relationships with their Volunteers.

Read more

Harriet is very well connected with the local community having spent 2 years on the local playgroup committee, organising many fundraisers and charity events. Harriet has three young sons and worked as a dental nurse for five years before becoming a mum. She also volunteered for Cotswold Friends for a year, before applying for her current job, giving her significant experience with respect to the volunteering roles, training and support that we can offer. In her time working for Cotswold Friends, Harriet has gained an extensive knowledge of Dementia related illnesses completing her Dementia Link Training, Mental Health Awareness and Safeguarding Adults.

Charlotte Murray

Charlotte Murray

Support Services Co-ordinator

Charlotte joined Cotswold Friends in 2022, initially covering Harriet’s maternity leave in our Support Service team. Shortly after, she also took on the role of Community Activities Project Worker, bringing her passion for connecting people and enhancing community engagement.

Read more

Now fully dedicated to our Support Service team, Charlotte thrives on supporting both clients and volunteers, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need. Having grown up in Moreton and spent time in nearby villages, she is deeply rooted in the local community. She is now happily settled back in Moreton with her husband, a local architect, and their two sons.

Outside of work, Charlotte loves spending time with her family and has a keen interest in Formula 1, enthusiastically supporting Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.

Sharon Joynes

Sharon Joynes

Community Day Club Co-Ordinator

Sharon has worked for a University in Student Support for over 20 years, previous to that she was a Homelessness and Housing Officer, working for a local authority. Originally from the Cotswolds, she left to go to Poly in Southampton and returned about 20 odd years ago.

Read more

In her spare time she has an allotment which she is still getting to grips with. She also has a converted campervan, so enjoys having adventures in that and taking her lovely pooch Woody out for walks in the countryside.

The Living Wage

The Living Wage

Cotswold Friends is an accredited Living Wage employer.

The Living Wage is a voluntary higher rate of base pay above the minimum wage. It provides a benchmark for responsible employers who choose to pay their employees a rate that meets the basic cost of living.

Read more