Meet the Team
The Volunteering Team is always on hand to answer any questions or have a chat – our door is always open.
Don’t forget to join the closed Volunteer Facebook Group – another great way to stay in touch!
Contact our team:
Email: volunteering@turning-tides.org.uk or Phone: 01903 680743
Volunteer Team
Ali Nicholson
Deputy Head of Development & Quality
WHY DO YOU WORK FOR TURNING TIDES?
I had known about Turning Tides for a number of years with some friends and family working for the charity. I had done some fundraising for them and loved that I was able to support such a great local charity, so when I came back from travelling, looking for a career change, I was really happy to see a temporary opportunity to work for the charity. Initially I picked up a 8 week temporary contract and now 4 years later, I am still here!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It sounds really cheesy, but genuinely I love every aspect of my job. I appreciate all the wonderful people I get to meet on a daily basis; volunteers, clients and colleagues. It is a very friendly place to work and I am constantly learning.
The job gives me hope…. Sometimes it can be hard to see kindness in the world and feel part of a community, I feel that working with volunteers on a daily basis with shared values, I get to see so much kindness and compassion.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD OF?
I am proud to work alongside some incredible people. I am proud that we have people in our volunteer team who have supported the charity since the outset. I am proud that we have opportunities for everyone in our community to get involved, whether its 1 day a year or 1 day a week.
I am really proud that our incredible volunteers have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service!
Gabriella Pearson
Volunteer Coordinator
WHY DO YOU WORK FOR TURNING TIDES?
When I moved to Worthing in 2020 I wanted to donate to a charity and came across Turning Tides and was incredibly impressed at what they were trying to achieve and seemed like such an incredible cause within the local community. I really wanted to work for them as I was already working within the charity sector at another organisation and love being able to work within such an important sector whilst contributing to making a change for so many people, I applied for the role totally convinced I wouldn’t get it, but I have now been here since June and honestly have never felt more at home and welcomed! I have always been someone who has felt really strongly about helping homeless people wherever possible so feels a big achievement and so rewarding to be able to work for Turning Tides.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I really love every part of my job and it is so refreshing to work somewhere that encourages growth, autonomy and creativity and really giving so much understand and flexibility. I enjoy meeting everyone within the different services from the clients, to staff, to volunteers… everyone is so passionate and helpful.
I love no day is ever the same, I am constantly learning and evolving my skills and experience whilst feeling supported. I enjoy making and building relationships and feel I really get the greatest of opportunities to do that here at Turning Tides as Volunteer Coordinator and the chance to make things my own.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD OF?
I am proud of being part of such an incredible team who work so hard to ensure everyone across the organisation feel welcomed, included and equal. I am proud how much we have to offer to help people and how much we are evolving as a charity to ensure we are always doing the most.
Danielle Huet
Mentoring and Befriending Coordinator
WHY DO YOU WORK FOR TURNING TIDES?
I have always wanted to work in the charity sector and after having the opportunity to work for a local charity which make an impact in my community I delved for the chance. I want to help make a difference in people’s lives for the better and working for a charity that does that is an amazing feeling.
It’s also great to work for a charity that supports you and understands that being a single mother of three can be challenging in itself sometimes! Turning Tides are flexible, encouraging and supportive I feel very lucky to find my dream job!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I honestly love it all! I am definitely a people’s person and knowing that I get to meet and speak to so many different souls is wonderful. Throughout my working life I have worked for companies that their main desire is the financial rewards of their work but working in the volunteering team it’s about how we make an impact on people’s lives. Not only for our clients but for the volunteers themselves.
I feel so fortunate to be part of a team that allows me to learn use my initiative and creativity!
Working with likeminded people who have a common quest for change and a shared cause is really quite affirming.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD OF?
I am proud of the opportunities that the Volunteering team give to so many individuals. Being so inclusive and non-judgemental opens so many doors for those that may have not had the chance to thrive and develop before.
I am proud that Turning Tides are a co-produced organisation, by listening and learning from those individual that have lived in the homeless community enables us to understand and help change lives, this is invaluable.
I am also very proud to be working for an award winning team!
Get Support
If you are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, we are here to support you. Please visit our help section for advice, information and support from Turning Tides and other local services.