Catherine has worked within the Homelessness Sector for the last 9 years, starting her career as a Support Worker before moving into a number of leadership positions with both Stonepillow and Turning Tides. Catherine has worked for Turning Tides for the last 5 years within the Operations Leadership Team, with a particular strategic focus on our work in the North of the County and in Littlehampton.

Catherine started her career after leaving university working in Television Production, specialising in producing documentaries and aerial filming for the BBC. Outside of her work for Turning Tides she is a qualified Psychodynamic counsellor working predominantly with those that have experienced childhood trauma.

Niall has lived in the Worthing area for the last 50 years and has seven children. His interests include cycling and kayaking (British Canoe Union Coach).

Niall has worked in the homeless field for the past 15 years including previously working for CRI and Stonham Housing Association and previously in a role with Turning Tides setting up Manor Road, a Stepping Stones Project. Working for Turning Tides gives Niall the autonomy to develop and grow services in line with the needs of clients and local communities. 

Niall originally moved into a social care field of work through interests developed in voluntary roles coaching young people. Niall is currently the Registered Care Manager of the Recovery Project with a First Class Honours degree in Substance Misuse Management from Kent University.

Ruth worked in a number of different fields before joining Turning Tides in 2020. Ruth’s early career saw her exploring academic life having gained a first class Bachelor’s degree and a Masters with distinction. Later on, she moved into Tourism and Heritage holding senior posts at Arundel Castle and Chichester Cathedral.

Nowadays, Ruth is also a trained Mediator who works for West Sussex Mediation Service. She is also proud to be a Trustee of two mental health charities, Solent Mind and Mayfield Nurseries in Southampton.

Ruth’s experience spans Communications and Marketing, Fundraising, Public Relations, Operations and Events, and Volunteer Management. Here at Turning Tides, Ruth is responsible for our Fundraising and Communications teams who work tirelessly to reduce stigma towards homeless men and women and raise much-needed funds to help them build a brighter future.

Becky joined Turning Tides in January 2022 as Head of Human Resources.

She has over 30 years’ experience of working within HR mainly within the private sector. Her earlier career was working for Daewoo Motor Company, IKEA and Argos and the later part for large outsourcing companies such as Xafinity and HireRight. Her career allowed her to travel and learn about different cultures in the workplace and provided amazing learning opportunities in all areas of HR.

In 2019 due to personal life changes, Becky decided to shift gears and worked for herself as an HR consultant. At this time she supported several small charities and found the work rewarding. She soon realised that working with people and doing a job she enjoyed was something she missed greatly and in 2022 joined Turning Tides.

The love of her job drives’ Becky to want to make it a better place for people to work and this now working for Turning Tides where the people we are employing are helping the lives of others makes coming to work a rewarding experience.

Family, dogs and everything food related are Becky’s’ other passions.

Following my degree from Manchester, I worked for around 35 years in Human Resources. I initially worked for Kimberly Clark and then for 23 years with GlaxoSmithKline. It was GSK that brought me to the Worthing area in 1990, as I was Head of HR for the Worthing factory, although I then went on to work in a number of international HR roles.

I was a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I have retired and apart from rediscovering the joys of West Sussex, I enjoy running, failing to learn French and watching cricket (in my playing days I was a dour opening bat who could make Boycott look like an attacking batsman!).

I am married with two grown up daughters. The reason why I volunteer with Turning Tides is that it is a local charity with very focussed objectives of not only helping homeless people with their immediate needs, but also providing support to help clients find a way out of homelessness.

A fair chunk of Nick’s life has been spent living abroad, both as a child and through work, in Brazil, Argentina, and Bermuda.  Those experiences broadened his horizons and helped develop a profound appreciation for diverse cultures and communities. 

Equipped with an impressive background in Genetics (University of Nottingham) and also Chartered Management Accountant, Nick became a global financial controller with teams in 7 countries around the world (not an easy task!).

As a Volunteer before becoming a Trustee, Nick used his skills as an independent member of the Finance and Audit Committee at Turning Tides for three years.  As a Trustee, Nick looks forward to helping Turning Tides navigate the challenges ahead and continue its amazing and vitally important work.

Now retired and living in Worthing with his wife (and two dogs!), between them they have four grown up children and four grandchildren; Nick loves living by the sea, even if it’s not quite as warm as some of the other places he’s lived!

Some of Nick’s hobbies include walking with the dogs, reading science fiction, being a Liverpool FC supporter, listening to music (particularly Bruce Springsteen) and dance nights with his wife.

Nick believes everyone deserves a warm bed, a safe haven, and a chance to rebuild their life.

Richenda has been volunteering with Turning Tides since before 2000, so has a long history sharing its journey! Her involvement with homelessness started with soup running with St Mungo’s Trust whilst at University (and very alarmingly driving the van with the soup!). Later she visited clients in prison or the police cells which gave an insight into the links between, and the complexity of, the issues our clients face.

Her Christian faith is vital and has been attending St Mary’s Broadwater for over 30 years.

Most of Richenda’s working life has been spent as a qualified Barrister and in-house legal adviser to companies in the financial services sector. She retired in 2022, which has allowed more time to be involved with Turning Tides and to help clients with debts, benefits, and anything else related.  Also involved as a Non-Executive Director with Boom Community Bank (a credit union providing affordable loans to customers in West Sussex, Surrey and Berkshire on a not for profit basis).

In her spare time Richenda enjoys travelling (though less of that now!), going to the theatre and book group. She has always enjoyed running, having completed a number of marathons and half marathons in her day; but now it is just a gentle plod along the seafront!  She loves being with her grandchildren, two are close by but two are in California. Richenda has lived in Sussex since 1981 but was brought up in Mansfield. Living by the sea is still a source of delight.

Duncan worked in the Leisure industry for 30 years across the South East.  He started as a Lifeguard and worked his way to become CEO of South Downs Leisure, where he was involved in the design and build of three new leisure centres in Southampton and Worthing.  In 2000, Duncan had a scholarship to Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia working at the Commonwealth Games Complex.

In his spare time, Duncan was a Scout Leader in Rustington (until 2020), and currently the Event Director with Worthing Parkrun, founder member of Goodgym Worthing and organiser of the Three Forts Marathon.  His hobbies include running (especially Parkruns!) walking and bike rides.

Martin was born in Glasgow, grew up in Stoke on Trent and studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Aston in Birmingham, before moving to Worthing in 1982.  He worked for GlaxoSmithKline for 33 years and was on the Worthing site Leadership Team for around 20 years; since 2015 working as an independent leadership consultant/trainer.

Over the last few years Martin volunteered as a cook at St Clare’s Community hub and Byron Road hostel; very keen to do whatever he can to help the homeless in the area.

As a Trustee, Martin is very pleased to further support Turning Tides in the vital services the Charity provides. Married with two grown up children, in his spare time Martin enjoys watching and playing sport, walking with their dog, cooking and gardening.

Bill first became involved with Turning Tides as a volunteer because he wanted to help less fortunate people going through difficult times including poverty, social exclusion and homelessness. 

Bill moved back to Sussex, where he was born, when he retired from a career as a journalist and, later, in public relations. He has written for national newspapers, appeared on TV and radio as a commentator and, in his PR role, has written briefings and speeches for public figures, including one for a Prime Minister about social inclusion in inner-cities. One of his political campaigns helped the Liverpool-based Furniture Resource Centre gain traction for their work as a social enterprise to reduce furniture poverty in north-east England while employing survivors of substance abuse, former prisoners, and the long-term unemployed. 

Bill’s hobbies centre on travel, music and sport although his teenage musical ambitions came to nothing in the late 1960s when he and his band failed an audition for a record deal. On the sporting front, he is a life-long supporter and season ticket holder at Brighton & Hove Albion. 

He has five children and one grandchild and lives in Worthing with his wife Sally.

After studying for a degree in Drama at Bretton Hall, Alwen joined Royal Mail Group where she worked for over 34 years. Alwen qualified as a Management Accountant and held several senior Finance and Operational jobs, including leading the negotiation of the separation of Post Office Limited and Royal Mail in 2012 and setting up the independent Post Office Board. She was a Trustee for the Royal Mail Pension Scheme for 9 years ending in 2010, and the Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee for the last 4 years.

During her career Alwen put in place mentoring and support for colleagues, and her work on equality and diversity, especially focused on supporting women in business was honoured with an OBE in 2018.

Since retiring Alwen has taken on volunteer roles with four charities. She started volunteering with Turning Tides in 2018 firstly at St Clare’s, then at Lyndhurst Road and Alwen is also a befriender.

Alwen enjoys walking, cycling and reading in her spare time.

Jane was born and brought up in London, and moved to the South Coast in 2003 to take a job in Brighton, which has expanded over subsequent years to a role across Sussex.

In the working world Jane is a Senior Non Clinical Manager in the NHS, specialising in delivery of strategic approaches to ensure views and experiences of those using the NHS are sought and captured, and used to make change and improvement.  Her role also includes a significant focus on diversity, equality and inclusion which led to her interest in Turning Tides. Jane is also involved in local and national systems leadership work.

In her spare time, Jane continues to study having recently completed a postgraduate qualification in Healthcare Leadership and Commissioning.  She also enjoys musical theatre and visiting historical palaces and homes.  Gardening is another passion, usually more so in the warmer weather!

Tim worked for almost thirty years in a large multinational in the Pharmaceutical industry. Initially he enjoyed working as a management accountant, first in one factory and then with factories across the world. Later in his career, Tim moved into strategy, optimising production and supply of medicines.

Having left the corporate world and set up his own company, Tim now has more time to volunteer for roles close to his heart, including being a Trustee for Turning Tides – a charity he, his family and his Church have supported for many years.