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I’ve enjoyed working at Progress to Change since 2011. As a CIMA qualified accountant, my role as Finance Manager includes ensuring that our funding and budgeting across both premises is managed effectively, to ensure we provide best use of all the resources available to us. I enjoy a varied role, working as part of the team in the office as well as interacting with numerous contractors, Trustees and colleagues.
Whilst we are a small charity, I believe that we all work well together to provide a safe and supportive environment for our residents. This helps to equip them to make positive changes and step forward into their future.
Working for the charity affords me flexibility, makes me feel like I am doing a worthwhile role, together with the opportunity to give something back to the local community.
I joined Progress to Change in January 2016, initially serving as the Operational Manager at Cardigan House. In April 2022, I transitioned to Ripon House as the Operational Lead, before stepping into my current role as CEO in April 2024.
Before joining Progress to Change, I worked for the Probation Service as both a Probation Officer and a Senior Probation Officer. My extensive experience within the Criminal Justice System spans various disciplines, including Resettlement, Drug Rehabilitation, Community Payback, and Court settings.
I am passionate about my work within Approved Premises, where no two days are ever the same. The impact we have is not always measurable by statistics, but it is deeply tangible. There is no greater reward than seeing a resident use their time with us to make meaningful changes in their life. While performance metrics are important, the true measure of our success is often found in a simple yet powerful “thank you” from those we support.
Resident Testimonial:
“You have treated me as a fellow human being—with respect, thoughtfulness, kindness, and honesty. Most importantly, you have given me your time.”
I joined Progress to Change as operations manager at Cardigan House in March 2022. Prior to joining Progress to Change I qualified as a Probation Officer in 2004, completing a BA degree in Probation Studies to do so. I worked for the Probation Service for 18 years in a variety of frontline settings and I had also previously worked at Cardigan House on a relief basis so I already had a good knowledge of the building and many of the processes.
I joined an experienced staff group who are dedicated in meeting the public protection and rehabilitative aims of Cardigan House. I personally have a strong belief that with the right support and positive experiences residents can learn to change their behaviour and move on to become law-abiding members of society.
I find Progress to Change a great organisation to work for, there is a strong ethos of putting resident’s needs at the forefront of their stay at our approved premises, alongside the need to protect others from serious harm. Progress to Change are also very supportive of their staff and endeavour to create a supportive environment where staff have a voice in developing innovative and effective ways to best monitor and support our residents.
In my spare time I enjoy participating and watching sport and walking my dog, Walter, who occasionally joins me at Cardigan House
Alastair joined the charity as a trustee in September 2017 and in September 2022 was elected as its chair.
Alastair was born in Glasgow, spent his childhood in southern Africa, before returning to the UK in 1966 to go to London University. On completion of his studies, he worked at London Zoo for 5 years before moving to Leeds in 1977 to join the University of Leeds to pursue his two principal interests,
which are teaching and investigating the effects of chemicals on people’s health. Alastair has now retired from the university but continues to be asked to mediate disputes between staff.
The workings of the criminal justice system were completely new to Alastair when he joined the trustees as was the importance of Independent Approved Premises like Progress to Change for supporting those leaving prison. After some 8 years as a trustee Alastair finds that there is still much to learn but that with each passing year his commitment to PtC becomes stronger. Alastair believes passionately in the ethos of PtC which is to provide support, care, and rehabilitation for ex-offenders in an environment which respects everyone.
Prior to joining Progress to Change, I worked across the voluntary sector, NHS and the Probation Service delivering homelessness, substance use, mental health and resettlement services.
I have extensive experience in criminal justice working with men and women, both in community and prison settings. I believe everyone has the capacity to change with the right people, support and mindset in place. I am passionate about working with women in the criminal justice system who experience multiple disadvantages and huge amounts of trauma. I love working at Ripon House where I’m proud to lead an incredibly supportive female staff team who work tirelessly and innovatively to enable women take control of their lives and move on to brighter future.
I love spending time away from work hiking and wild swimming, I believe strongly in the power of movement and nature and am committed to embed both in the culture for all at Ripon House.