Meet the team
Paula Da-Silva – Charity Manager
I started volunteering for the charity in October 2013 when I got made redundant from my job and wanted to fill my time productively. My background is predominantly in administration so I offered my help whilst looking for a new job …. and never left! I lost my brother in law to leukaemia after a
Joe Lycett – Charity Ambassador
We all know too well the damage and heartache cancer causes, but also how scary and lonely it is for those who have been diagnosed. The Tamworth Wellbeing & Cancer Support Centre is essentially a big box of angels who provide a ton of different support, advice and compassionate care. I’ve visited the centre and
Adrian Bell – Chair and Trustee
Having being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 I soon realised what a scary, lonely place that can be. I turned up at the centre and was not only given genuine support and care from the the staff and volunteers but also practical help from people who have been there and done it. There is always
Cathy Tibbles – Vice Chair and Trustee
I have been involved in this amazing charity from the very beginning, before we even had a ‘Centre’. I volunteer in personal tribute to a marvellous friend who was inspirational to me 20 years ago during her illness. I know how important it is to have a place to turn to – somewhere with a
David Palmer – Trustee
I am an insurance broker specialising in charities. I visited the centre in an official capacity and was so impressed I wanted to get involved. It is the kind of place you come into and never want to leave. Having had experiences within the family of cancer I understand the difficulties and enjoy being a part
Jeanette Taylor – Trustee
I first heard about the Tamworth Wellbeing & Cancer Support Centre through my daughter Abbie when she started volunteering. I attended a few events and found out what wonderful work they really do. I wanted to get involved and knew it would be a valuable use of my time. I love volunteering here and meeting
Julia Fallon – Trustee
My involvement with the charity began in 2011 when I was a client and received much needed support after my diagnosis with breast cancer. Upon recovery I then became a volunteer to help others in a similar situation to myself. I became a Trustee in 2014 when we moved to the new Stonydelph building to
Abbie Jenkins – Volunteer
I am a psychology student hoping to work in mental health. I volunteer at TWCSC because it is great to give back to the community and it helps me gain some experience and more confidence in talking to people in difficult circumstances.
Cathy Ward – Volunteer
I chose to volunteer at the centre because I was looking for something worthwhile to do with my time for a few hours each week. It is a wonderfully warm and friendly place to be and it is great to be a part of something that supports families within the community at the toughest of
Chrissie Chadwick – Holistic Therapist
Hi, my name is Chrissie. I am a beautician, nail technician and holistic therapist. I have recently started volunteering at the Tamworth Wellbeing & Cancer Support Centre because I wanted to give something back to the community. Being at the centre, has given me no greater pleasure than to give others something to look forward
Christine Harris – P.R. & Fundraising Co-ordinator
My name is Christine and have been involved with the Centre just prior to it moving to its present venue. I supported fundraising, facilitated free training for the volunteers and did what I could to help in any way. Then one day I had to walk into the centre and announce I had just received
Hayley Smith – Foot Health Practitioner
I am a mum to triplet girls and I qualified as a Foot Health Practitioner in June 2015, but did not start my own business until January 2016. I approached the Centre to volunteer to gain experience and confidence. Both my mum, uncle and mother-in-law have died from Cancer within the last 8 years so
Helena Pickin – Holistic Therapist
As well as working as a clinical pharmacist for the NHS, I run my own well-being therapy business providing coaching, reiki and clinical hypnotherapy. Sadly, I recently lost my mum to bowel cancer. Knowing how much the reiki helped her, TWCSC is the perfect place for me to give something back and share my skills
Janet Marsh – Volunteer
I was aware of TWCSC long before I became a volunteer because I had attended a few of their fundraising events; it was very apparent that the manager, trustees and volunteers are all passionate about the service they provide and will go the extra mile to help those who need it. I was also struck
Jo Woodley – Volunteer
I have known about TWCSC since my best friend and centre manager Paula started with the charity. I have always helped her with events that I have attended and really enjoyed doing so and finally Paula suggested I become a volunteer. It’s an amazing centre that deserves all the recognition it can get and I’m
Kath Kelly – Volunteer
I have known about the centre for some time but it was after a talk I attended about the charity that I decided to look into volunteering at the centre. I have been a volunteer for other organisations for many years and always found it a very fulfilling role. I decided to volunteer at the centre
Louise Vernon – Fundraising Volunteer
7 years ago at the age of 35 a scared women walked into the cancer centre looking for help after a breast cancer diagnosis, fearful of what the future held for her. After 9 months of treatment, with many up and downs along the way, I finished treatment, but not my association with the centre.
Mal Middleton – Volunteer
I started volunteering in 2014 because my daughter Paula is the Centre Manager and I wanted to support her. Her Dad and I are very proud of what she has achieved. Also, I am a breast cancer survivor and wanted to give something back. There wasn’t anywhere to go for support when I was diagnosed
Margaret Eaton – Volunteer
In 2019 I went along to the Centre with my husband, following his terminal diagnosis, to find out what support they could offer us. We were greeted immediately by a lovely volunteer and taken to Paula. She was so warm, friendly and compassionate, putting us at ease immediately. We learned how the Centre could help
Maxine Talbott – Volunteer
I’ve been involved with the charity for 10 years. I first came to the Centre as a client, and when I received the support, I wanted to give something back, so I became a volunteer, and never looked back.
Paul Da-Silva – Volunteer
I became a volunteer to help because the Centre Manager is my wife and I can see how passionate she is about the charity so I want to support her however I can. I mainly help with I.T. issues, designing promotional materials and also helping out at fundraising events. I love being a part of
Rachael Prescott – Volunteer
Cancer has come close to my home over the last few years. One of my closest friends lost his short, but very fierce fight to brain cancer. My brother in law still fights the turmoil his body has been left in after throat cancer. Two of my very close friends put a very brave face
Rebecca James – Headwear Stylist
I have been a hairdresser for over 30 years and get a lot out of making people feel good about themselves. I have been a volunteer at TWCSC since 2013 helping people to choose wigs, cutting and styling the wigs, helping with headscarves and shaving people’s hair during chemotherapy. I chose to become a volunteer
Rob Hamilton – Volunteer & Male Support Group Leader
In 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer. It came as a real shock as I was a sporty 25-year-old at the time. Thankfully after 2 operations and 9 weeks of chemotherapy I was given the all clear. While going through my treatment I would have really benefitted in talking to other males
Sally Nash – Holistic Therapist
As a qualified nurse with experience in Intensive care and Palliative cate nursing I saw first hand the positive effects of therapeutic touch. I have been lucky enough to support people with life limiting, life changing illnesses through offering various holistic therapies. One of those was my wonderful sister who lost her own battle, but
Sue Smith – Volunteer
In 2019 I first visited the Centre as a Client after being diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. I was anxious and unclear about so many things and at that point I wasn’t sure what the Centre had to offer. Three years on it has been a great source of support, friendship and fun so I spoke
Tom Fallon – Volunteer
My wife Julia was originally a client at TWCSC, then became a volunteer and she is now a Trustee. I retired from work in 2021 and wanted to volunteer to give something back to the place that helped us, as a family, at one of the hardest times we have had to endure. It is
Val Lawrence – Volunteer
I first visited the Tamworth Wellbeing and Cancer Support Centre as part of my volunteering role with Support Staffordshire, an organisation helping local charities. This role ended due to Covid but I joined the Tamworth Sewing volunteers making items for front line staff: washbags, scrubs, face coverings etc. Although I love gardening, sewing and knitting
Val Pipe – Volunteer
After my retirement I wanted to do something with my time but I wasn’t sure what. I then attended a charity event with my sister and stumbled across the Tamworth Wellbeing & Cancer Support Centre. Coincidentally I used to work with Paula so it was easy to approach her and offer my time as a