Meet the Team

Voices of Hope has a dedicated and passionate staff team working across our three project areas.

Sarah Clay
Sarah Clay

CEO

Candice Roggeveen
Candice Roggeveen

Women’s Services & Operations Director 

Marie-Anna
Marie-Anna Gallès

BRITE Box Project Lead

Ronald Ranta
Ronald Ranta

BRITE Box Operations, Policy, and Research Lead

Steve Gawthrop
Steve Gawthrop

Financial Director

Rhiannon Bone
Rhiannon Bone

Choir Tutor & Repertoire Manager

Nola Dooley
Nola Dooley

Women’s Hub Outreach Worker

Heni Nagy-Kasza
Heni Nagy-Kasza

Choir & ABC Tutor Manager

Lakshmi
Lakshmi Rai

BRITE Box Events & Fundraising Lead and Project Coordinator – Kingston

Jiska
JISKA STIELER

Kingston Women’s Hub Coordinator & Modern Slavery Outreach Worker

Eman
eman shahid

Operational Support

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Sylvia Mcallister

Office & Volunteer Coordinator 

Serhiy V
Serhiy Voznyak

BRITE Box Coordinator – Richmond

Allen E
Allen Kirungi-Enotu

ABC Project Coordinator

Tamiza
Tamiza Sinclair

BRITE Box Coordinator – Elmbridge

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Joy Rand

Elmbridge Women’s Hub Coordinator

Volunteering

We are supported by a fantastic group of self-employed staff who run choirs, teach our Active Breathing Course, facilitate art sessions and cook for the masses. AND of course we have a small army of incredible volunteers, who make everything happen!!

Meet the Trustees

Meet our trustees, find out more about them and put a face to a name.

LisVernonPic
Lis Vernon

Chair of Trustees

Jeevan
Jeevan Mehesan

Treasurer

Rebecca H
Rebecca Harrington

Trustee

Keath
Keath Gaitskell

Trustee

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Clive Harrington

Trustee

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Sarah Jarvis

Trustee

Meet the Patrons

Meet our empowering team of patrons who champion all we do.

Nigel
Nigel Cooper

Patron

Andrew
Andrew Wooldridge

Patron

SushilaAbraham2
Sushila Abraham

Patron

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Richard & Margaret Thompson

Patrons

Paul
Paul Cox

Patron

Sarah Clay
Sarah Clay

CEO

The reason I founded Voices of Hope in 2019 was because of a compelling desire to see people thriving within the community. We all need others to believe in us, to help support and empower us. Hope is such a key to people walking a journey of healing, restoration and empowerment and I love to see people believing in themselves and taking steps towards fulfilling their potential. As a music graduate from Cambridge University and an Associate of the Royal College of Music, one of our core values from the very first project we ran, is to be creative and inspiring in the way that we reach out to people and in doing so to restore dignity and self-confidence. It has been incredibly rewarding to see Voices of Hope grow from strength to strength, and I will be forever grateful for the support, encouragement and empowerment that many from within the community have given to me personally – most of whom are listed somewhere on the pages of this website!

Sarah is a 2022 recipient of the British Empire Medal for services to the community in the London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames during Covid-19 and a winner of the Rotary Great Britain and Ireland’s Community Champion award in 2023 in “recognition of outstanding humanitarian service to improve the lives of others”.

Candice Roggeveen
Candice Roggeveen

Operational Director & Women’s Hub Manager

I have a deep passion to see people and communities thrive. Joining Voices of Hope in 2022, as Women’s Services and Operations Director, I came with over 15 years experience in project and risk management, people wellbeing and development, as well as organisational management.

Within the Women’s Services, I lead on implementing our strategy and service delivery across our local Hubs and services.  As Operations Director, I am responsible for the daily running of the organisation’s operations, whilst collaborating with the CEO to provide vision, strategy and achieve our organisational objectives.

Marie-Anna
Marie-Anna Gallès

BRITE Box Project Lead 

I’m honoured to lead the BRITE Box project at Voices of Hope, which I joined in January 2025. My role focuses on driving the development and growth of the project, setting its strategic direction and ensuring its impact continues to expand and deepen for the families and communities we serve.

From a young age, I’ve been deeply moved by the challenges faced by those enduring profound hardship. This has led to a strong calling to walk alongside them, empowering them not just to survive, but to flourish – to experience transformation in every aspect of their lives and discover their true potential.

After completing studies in Public Health and Dietetics and many years of involvement in the charity sector in France and internationally, it is a privilege to be part of this incredible initiative. Witnessing the positive changes it brings to women, children, families and entire communities is truly inspiring.

I look forward to continuing this journey, working alongside a dedicated team, and engaging closely with the community to make a meaningful and lasting impact in many lives!

Ronald Ranta
ronald ranta

Operations, Policy, and Research Lead

I have been privileged to be part of the BRITE Box project since 2021—first supporting the project with independent research, then in a part-time role from 2024, and now as Operations, Policy, and Research Lead. In this role, I work closely with hub coordinators, volunteers, schools, and families to ensure the project runs smoothly. I also lead on research into BRITE Box and its impact, ensuring that our learnings continue to inform and strengthen the project.

Steve Gawthrop
Steve Gawthrop

Financial Director

As Financial Director, Voices of Hope has encouraged me to grow and stretch in terms of depth and breadth of experience in the Charity Sector. My job role involves managing the day-to-day finances and daily, weekly and monthly controls surrounding the finances and their safe-keeping.

I am hugely and ably supported by the Trustees, Senior Management, Staff and Volunteers who all play a part in the smooth running of Voices of Hope and its major projects.

Rhiannon Bone
Rhiannon Bone

Choir Tutor & Repertoire Manage

I joined Voices of Hope in 2020, and as a repertoire coordinator, choir and ABC tutor I can often be found singing and waving my arms around whether I’m in front of a choir or not! I love to share the joy of singing with the people I work with and seeing people grow in confidence and build community through singing. I’m also the office tea lady, unofficial IT support and general creator of noise and chaos!

Nola Dooley
Nola Dooley

Women’s Hub Outreach Worker

My name is Nola. I joined Voices of Hope in 2022 as the pastoral outreach worker for Kingston Women’s Hub. Within my role, I have the privilege of being able to stand alongside the ladies we support, offering directions and building connections with them.

That is what I love the most about my role, building connections through the heart to heart interactions I share with the ladies, creating a safe space for them to come for a chat or to relax.

Heni Nagy-Kasza
Heni Nagy-Kasza

Choir & ABC Tutor Manager

I joined our team in 2022 as our Choir and ABC Manager. Within my role, I coordinate and manage our ever growing choirs across Kingston and surrounding boroughs.

I am a passionate musician, spanning various genres including classical, jazz and contemporary. I have a BA Diploma in Music and 20 years of experience as a chorister, orchestra conductor and piano teacher.

Lakshmi
Lakshmi Rai

BRITE Box Events & Fundraising Lead and Project Coordinator – Kingston

I started out as a volunteer for BRITE Box in 2020. After contributing to this meaningful initiative and seeing the positive impact it had on children and families, I knew I didn’t want to leave. I’m now proud to serve as the BRITE Box Events & Fundraising Lead and Project Coordinator – Kingston.

The journey so far has been both enriching and rewarding. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting volunteers from all walks of life, whose dedication and encouragement have been a true source of inspiration over the years. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and excited for what lies ahead!

Jiska
Jiska Stieler

Kingston Women’s Hub Coordinator & Modern Slavery Outreach Worker

As the Kingston Women’s Hub Coordinator, I work with women who join our various services in the hub and communicate with our wide network of amazing support partners. In my role as Modern Slavery Outreach Worker, I am working on mapping our borough’s extent of human trafficking/modern slavery. The goal is to be able to adequately respond to those who have become victims of this harmful crime. Furthermore, I have the honour to lead one of our choirs where a whole bunch of precious women gather together to enjoy the power of singing songs they love and being in community. 
 
I have a M.A. in Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery, Organised Crime and Migration and a B.A. in Social Work. And apart from that I love  sunshine, deep talks, coffee and long walks in nature. And I usually have a very open heart to listen, give a hug and oh, there’s always something to laugh about!
Eman
Eman Shahid

Operational Support

Hi, my name is Eman and I am currently on a student placement at VoH. I assist in smoothly running daily projects and activities. This includes supporting administrative tasks, ensuring comms for different services are up to date, drafting content for newsletters and social media and also making sure resources are available to allow for a cohesive work environment. I also collaborate with the women’s hub by helping sessions be well prepared and accessible to create a welcoming and supportive environment for women. 
Working at Voices of hope offers valuable insight into how community and charity can bring individuals from different backgrounds together to offer them the support they need towards resilience empowerment. 
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Sylvia McAllister

Office & Volunteer Coordinator (Maternity Cover)

For the past three years, I have volunteered with the Kingston Women’s Hub Sisterhood Sanctuary, where I assisted in preparing lunches and engaging in conversations with the women about any challenges they were facing.

I have now transitioned into a new role within Voices of Hope as Maternity Cover for the Office and Volunteer Coordinator role. 

Serhiy V
Serhiy Voznyak

BRITE Box Coordinator – Richmond

I’ve been involved with the BRITE Box Project as a volunteer since 2023. During this time, I’ve witnessed firsthand the positive impact it has on local families. I’m proud to now be supporting this work in a new capacity as the Richmond Project Coordinator.

I love being part of a project that brings people together through cooking and nutritious food. It’s incredibly rewarding to help families spend quality time together, develop new skills in the kitchen, and build healthy eating habits. Knowing that our boxes help make everyday life a little easier and more joyful for families means so much to me. I’m truly grateful to be part of the VOH team.

Allen E
Allen Kirungi-Enotu

I have had the honour of working with some of Africa’s most impoverished communities, collaborating with cross-cultural teams from around the globe. 

I am passionate about community transformation and firmly believe people can overcome their circumstances and flourish with the right tools and support.

With nearly two decades of experience in the international development sector, focusing on programme, organizational development, and later consulting, I have joined Voices of Hope as the Project Coordinator for the Active Breathing Course (ABC) Project. I coordinate ABC’s activity implementation with partners, staff, and volunteers for effective project delivery.

I am also pursuing a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership and Management. Outside of my professional commitments, I enjoy spending time in the sunlight, whether taking long walks in the park, immersing myself in a book on a quiet bench, or a place for heartfelt worship. 

Tamiza
Tamiza Sinclair

BRITE Box Coordinator

I am the Coordinator for BRITE Box in Elmbridge. I work out of Lower Green Community Centre and look after food ordering for the BRITE boxes each week, supporting the volunteers with preparing the boxes and getting them delivered to the schools by 2pm on Fridays.

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Joy Rand

Elmbridge Women’s Hub Coordinator

I joined the Voices of Hope team in April this year. With extensive experience as a Primary Teacher, I value the importance of meaningful connection and see relationship building as a top priority to enable children to thrive and succeed.
 
In more recent years, I have developed a real passion to help women who have suffered trauma or faced multiple disadvantages, empowering them to transition towards a secure future where they can truly flourish. I now work with a fantastic team, coordinating services for women living in the Elmbridge area.
 
Choosing walks out in nature, spotting those changes and surprises with each new season is something I love, as well as spending time with my granddaughter, whatever new adventure she finds to share!
LisVernonPic
Lis Vernon

Chair of Trustees

I am delighted to be a Trustee for Voices of Hope, having volunteered with the Charity since its early months, initially in the Sisterhood Choir, then in running one of the elderly choirs and, during Covid, helping in the food hub preparing meals and sweeping! Since then, I have weeded in the women’s Community Garden at Fishponds, tutored on the Active Breathing Courses, driven for the Good Food CoOp and helped with part of a BRITE Box outreach programme in a community cooking scheme.

For most of my life I have been a trustee in one form or another; post university, working for Lloyds Private Banking administering wills and trust funds, then re-training as a Primary School teacher and latterly working as a Money Adviser with students at Kingston University, during which period I served on my church’s PCC.

I am now ‘retired/repurposed’, volunteering with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in the Kingston and Wimbledon area alongside working with VoH.

When I am not being a trustee of any kind, I love walking (currently pounding along the Pilgrims’ Way), playing or making music (piano, voice and bass) and am a keen gardener.

Jeevan
Jeevan Mehesan

Treasurer

I work for Kingston Hospital as their deputy head of contracts. I have been a trustee and also the Treasurer of Voices of Hope since 2020. As such, I oversee the management of the charity, with particular responsibility for its finances.

I am continuously inspired by the work of Voices of Hope and it is my pleasure to help support all they do through my role as Treasurer.

Rebecca H
Rebecca Harrington

Trustee

I’m Becca, a senior workforce consultant at PwC. My involvement in campaigns spans various issues, especially those impacting women and girls. During my university years, I spearheaded initiatives like a sexual violence reporting mechanism and campaigns tackling period poverty on campus. 

In an increasingly polarised world, I believe in the vital role of charities in combating societal challenges like food insecurity, social isolation and the impact of domestic violence. Joining Voices of Hope as a trustee, I aim to both amplify young voices on boards and support the charity’s impactful work in the community.
Keath
Keath Gaitskell

Trustee

I have been part of the Voices of Hope story from the very beginning and it has been wonderful seeing so many lives impacted by the work that has been done through the amazing people who are part of the VoH family – both staff and volunteers. It is a privilege to be part of an organisation that is committed to making this city a better place for everyone.

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Clive Harrington

Trustee

I met Sarah and members of her VOH team a while back – I discovered a remarkable, authentic group of people who are genuinely and selflessly responding to an urgent need. The team are embedded in their communities, building relationships, and working together with people who are going through overwhelming crisis in their lives.

VOH is adopting a holistic, long term approach in transforming people’s lives for the better, and I am confident that the positive impact of their efforts across their various projects will be felt for years to come – I felt humbled and inspired when asked to join the VOH trustees, I hope to support the organisation in whatever way I can in achieving its mission.

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Sarah Jarvis

Trustee

I have 20 years’ experience working with and for charities and I currently work in the IT department of a large international development charity. I love technology and I’m passionate about the power of charities to make a difference to people’s lives in so many different ways, so I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to give my time, my knowledge of technology and my charity experience to help Voices of Hope continue its great work in the wonderful town of Kingston and beyond.

Nigel
Nigel Cooper

Patron

I see my role as trying to support the charity in any way I can. I am as happy volunteering as encouraging friends to contribute, but I am particularly happy when acting as a sounding board to staff and volunteers.

I am fortunate to have had a long and varied career in business and I look to use the skills and resources I have to make sure that Voices of Hope is successful and sustainable in the long term.

Andrew
Andrew Wooldridge

Patron

As a Councillor, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing first hand the incredible work this group does within our community.

Their commitment to change and empowerment resonated with me. I quickly came to realise that “Voices of Hope” truly lives up to its name.

SushilaAbraham2
Sushila Abraham

Patron

Voice of Hope has had an impact on so many people in the borough, and I am so happy that I am able to support this organisation as I have seen and heard from so many people who have benefited from the help given by Voices of Hope.

They have been able to bring about the good in so many people and have touched them with their love and the activities they do. Whether they are the young, the vulnerable, the elderly, they have made a great impact on those they come and meet.

K Reekie
Karen Reekie

Independant Advocate – Women’s Services 

Karen is our independent advocate who works supporting women who need help with accessing services or rights they are entitled to, and admin needs. She works at Kingston and also at our Elmbridge Women’s hub.

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