Our Bridge 'drop in' Centre is open daily for the Armed Forces Community - Veterans, service leavers, ex-serving personnel, widows, dependants, reservists and their families
MEET THE TEAM
SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Helen Taylor
CEO
Helen Taylor MBE
Helen co-founded the Charity with Mike Taylor, with support from family and friends back in 2010. She initially started helping with the finance and admin on a voluntary basis but soon became involved in all aspects of the Charity including welfare, fundraising, grant applications, and design. As the Charity has grown and adapted to the needs of the Charity's beneficiaries so has Helen's role. In early 2022, this meant stepping into the CEO role to ensure that the Armed Forces Community in West Norfolk continue to receive the help and support they need.
Andrew Pover
Welfare Manager
Andrew Pover
Andrew started working for The Bridge for Heroes in September 2021 following a 38-year NHS Nursing career, during which he qualified and worked as both a Mental Health Nurse and then a General Nurse. Most of his career was spent as a Ward Manager, but towards the end of his NHS career, he worked in Community Nursing where he was Matron in charge of Community Nursing and Therapy for South Norfolk. Working for The Bridge for Heroes allows him to use the skills and knowledge he developed in the NHS, plus some that he developed elsewhere, such as puttying windows and cooking lunches.
Darren Hickie
Programme Manager
Darren Hickie (MAAT)
Darren has been working with The Bridge for Heroes for over 11 years in various roles. Recently he has taken on the VPPP programme management. He is very active in the management of the charity. He is also responsible for the management of the IT and other areas of the Charity.
Gregg Baker
Welfare Officer
Gregg Baker
Gregg is a Veteran of the Royal Air Force Police having served in both the United Kingdom and Overseas. A Norfolk man born and bred, " My aim is to use all my skills and experience, along with post-incident care to aid and support all veterans, serving members and their families. Proud to serve, honoured to help.
OUR STAFF
Denise Walmsley
Admin & Finance Support
Denise Walmsley
Having taken a break from my career for family reasons for a number of years I started as a volunteer in the office at The Bridge for Heroes in March 2022 and have been employed as an Administrative Assistant since July 2022. I enjoy the variety of the work involved and also being able to chat the beneficiaries and volunteers even though I do not have a military background.
Laura Evans
Charity Coordinator
Laura Evans
Laura joined the team in September 2023. Her background is in finance, teaching and Youth Work.
Kerry Allison
Charity Coordinator
Kerry Allison
Retired from British Army after 22 years of service, where she latterly served in the QARANC as a registerd nurse. Settled in Norfolk with her husband, two step-daughters and elderly tabby cat. Fan of crochet and cocktails, although not at the same time!
Evie Lucas
General Assistant
Evie Lucas
I began volunteering at the bridge for heroes in June 2022 and later became employed as a general assistant. My aim is to make everyone at the Bridge for Heroes feel welcome and happy when they come in. I enjoy chatting, spending time with the beneficiaries and listening to their stories.
OUR CORE VOLUNTEERS
Steve
Bridge Centre Support
Steve
I’m a retired Royal Air Force Warrant Officer, having served for 38 years, retiring in 2007. My involvement with The Bridge for Heroes commenced approximately 9 years ago, and apart from a few breaks, I have been actively involved throughout. In recent years my involvement has been almost exclusively within the Bridge Centre, where I’ve made many, many cups of tea and coffee and also doing a fair amount of washing up. Arguably my most important contribution is talking with volunteers, beneficiaries and guests who visit the Centre. I am normally present in the Bridge Centre from Wednesday to Saturday inclusive. Over and above those activities previously mentioned I provide transport to bring in/take home beneficiaries who are unable to visit without this facility. I co-ordinate the production of the Volunteers & Beneficiaries Garden Memorial Board, and carry out family and military history research and providing advice to those wishing to carry out the research themselves. Image
Dorothy
Bridge Centre Support
Dorothy
I served in the WRAC from 1962 to 1967 as a clerk in Aden and Singapore. I have been coming to the Bridge for Heroes for several years. I volunteer making tea or coffee for beneficiaries and help with knitting the various military uniform key rings and blankets for end of life patients at our local hospital. I also help greet new beneficiaries at the Bridge Centre.
OUR TRUSTEES
Steve Russell BCAo
Chair of Trustees
Steve Russell BCAo
Steve served in the Royal Air Force and was stationed at RAF Halton as an Apprentice and then at RAF Marham on 55 Squadron. He saw service during the Falklands War receiving a campaign medal and a commendation.
After leaving the RAF in 1988 he settled in King's Lynn and began working with Adults with a Learning Disability, a job he still enjoys today. He is employed by Norfolk County Council as a specialist employment coordinator in West Norfolk.
In addition to his "day job" he has supported the work of The Bridge for Heroes. Initially as a volunteer and now as Chair of Trustees.
Sharon Edwards
Finance Trustee
Sharon Edwards
I was born in Norfolk and raised in North Creake. I currently live in Fakenham with my husband Tony who runs a business as a luthier as well as playing in a number of local bands. We have three sons aged 18 and above who we are very proud of! I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2000 and am a partner at Mapus-Smith & Lemmon LLP in King’s Lynn. I am very passionate about King’s Lynn and have been involved with the King’s Lynn Business Improvement District since it’s inception. I am also a member of the Soroptimists of King’s Lynn.
I love listening to and watching live music, in particular 80’s hair metal bands! We are a family of Hammers and are season ticket holders at the Olympic Stadium. I also enjoy walking holidays in the Lake District and visiting historic buildings.
I decided to become a Trustee of The Bridge for Heroes because a number of my family have served in the forces and the work the charity does to support mental health and wellbeing is amazing.
Lindsey Bavin
Marketing & Awareness Trustee
Lindsey Bavin, BA Hons, FRSA, AMA
Trustee with the portfolio for Social Media
Joined the Bridge for Heroes Trustee board in 2022. Both father, stepfather and grandfather served in the RAF, the latter most proudly as Fire Service Warrant Officer at RAF Marham.
Her day job is Curator of True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum where she has worked since 2012. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for The Marriott’s Warehouse Trust.
Siobhan Vaughan
Welfare & Mental Health Trustee
Siobhan Vaughan
Siobhan Vaughan Info.....
GET IN TOUCH
REGISTERED ADDRESS
The Bridge for Heroes
52a South Clough Lane
King’s Lynn
Norfolk
PE30 1SE
contact@thebridgeforheroes.org
01553 760230
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |