Meet Our Trustees

Our Trustees bring a wide range of professional skills, lived experience, and strong community connections. Together, they provide strategic oversight and governance, drawing on backgrounds across care, education, construction, finance, HR, and community work to support the charity’s mission and long-term sustainability. Find out more below:

Gill Jeffries - Chairperson

Gill has been part of our community for nearly 20 years, first as a parent when her son joined our services, and even longer as a volunteer with the Hastings Gateway Club. She has coached indoor bowls for the Special Olympics, supporting teams at competitions in Bath (2013) and Sheffield (2017). Before joining our Board, Gill worked as a civil servant with the DWP and Ministry of Defence, bringing a wealth of experience alongside her perspective as a parent carer. Today, she pops into the office each week, lends a hand at social and fundraising events, and has been serving as our Chairperson since 2024, always ready to share her skills, energy, and commitment with the team.

Richard Buttrey - Treasurer

Rich joined the organisation as a trustee after volunteering at social and fundraising events, bringing with him a strong practical and professional background. He previously ran his own electrical business and has worked in a range of roles within the NHS and within the water industry, giving him broad experience across construction, compliance, and large-scale organisations. Rich became a trustee during the Frimley Centre’s major building project, offering oversight and attending site meetings throughout the development. As Treasurer since 2024, he now oversees the charity’s finances, visiting regularly, supporting senior staff, and taking an active role at fundraising events. His practical experience and hands-on approach help ensure the organisation runs smoothly and sustainably.

Jo Dauti - Secretary

Jo has been a trustee since 2013 and brings a wealth of experience and personal insight to the board. She works within the administrative team at St Mary’s School, a local special needs school, and has been a shared lives carer for many years, supporting adults with additional needs. Her connection to the charity spans decades, having attended Hot-Shot Club as a child, a social club set up for local children with learning disabilities, their siblings, and families, here at the Frimley Centre. Her sister, who has a learning disability, now lives in our residential care home, giving Jo a deep understanding of the support and care provided. She continues to contribute her knowledge, experience, and commitment to ensuring the charity offers inclusive, high-quality services for the local community.

Wendy Bristow - Trustee

Wendy became involved with the organisation as a trustee following many years of connection as a parent-carer. Her daughter previously attended our day services and now lives in one of our residential care homes, giving Wendy valuable first-hand insight into the importance of high-quality, person-centred support across different stages of life. Having lived locally for many years, Wendy is deeply connected to the community and committed to supporting people with learning disabilities. She plays an active role in fostering strong links with the residential care home, visiting regularly and supporting staff and residents. Wendy was initially involved through the fundraising committee and remains actively engaged in fundraising events, bringing experience from previous roles in student support and a strong parent-carer voice to board discussions.

June Fletcher - Trustee

June has been a trustee since 2019 and brings a strong commitment to local community issues and a passion for diversity and cultural inclusion. As a parent-carer, with her daughter attending our day services, she offers valuable insight into the needs and experiences of families using our services. Her background includes work as a youth worker and over 20 years in the construction industry in her home county of Hertfordshire. June has also volunteered with local initiatives such as Warming Up the Homeless and Black Butterfly in St Leonards. She uses her experience and understanding of community dynamics to help the board make informed decisions and promote inclusive, equitable services.

Ruth Farr - Trustee

Ruth became a trustee in 2023, bringing a strong commitment to the local community and a personal connection to our services. She has been involved with the Frimley Centre for many years and draws valuable insight from her sister, who has a learning disability and now lives in our residential care home. Professionally, Ruth works in recruitment at the Citizens Advice Bureau and has a background in HR, giving her a practical understanding of people management and organisational operations. She is also an active PTA member at her children’s school. Community-minded and dedicated, Ruth balances her trustee role with a busy family life, supporting the charity in planning, decision-making, and ensuring the needs of service users and their families remain central.

Marc Bailey- Trustee

Marc joined the organisation in 2025, following his key role in the major renovations of the Frimley Centre. Having project-managed large-scale construction projects, he knows the building inside out and was instrumental in bringing the Frimley Centre build to completion in summer 2025. During the project, Marc became a popular member of the team, admired for his expertise, approachable style, and friendly nature. As a parent of a neurodivergent son, Marc brings personal insight into supporting people with additional needs. He has volunteered for schools and community groups, helping with trips and holidays, and now contributes his practical experience, warmth, and hands-on knowledge to the board as a valued trustee.

Dan Price - Trustee

Dan is a local community member who became a trustee in 2025, wanting to get more involved in the charity’s work. He volunteers annually at the Active Arts show, selling merchandise and programmes, and enjoys supporting other fundraising events throughout the year.  Dan works as a street cleaning operative and has also worked for a local workers’ co-operative, taking on a variety of roles and developing a broad practical skill set. An artistic and community-minded individual, he enjoys a variety of interests and has a family member with a learning disability, giving him personal insight into the challenges and joys of supporting someone with additional needs. Dan’s experience and perspective help the board stay grounded in the realities of the local community.

What our Trustees say:

  • “Being a trustee is about bringing your skills, curiosity, and commitment to something that really matters. You don’t need to be an expert — just willing to learn, ask questions, and help make a positive difference.”

  • “As a parent-carer, being a trustee allows me to give back to a service that means so much to my family. I value the strong links with our care home and love supporting fundraising events that bring our community together.”

  • “As Treasurer, I enjoy helping ensure the charity is well governed and financially sound. Being a trustee means offering practical oversight, supporting good decisions, and playing a part in keeping the organisation sustainable for the future.”

  • “Becoming a trustee felt like a natural next step after working so closely with the team. I enjoy using my project experience to support good decision-making and help ensure the spaces and services we provide really work for the people who use them.”

  • “I became a trustee to get more involved in the charity and support the local community. I enjoy helping at events, sharing my perspective, and being part of decisions that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Interested in becoming a Trustee?

At Hastings and Bexhill Mencap, we are incredibly lucky to have a dedicated and supportive Board of Trustees. All of our trustees are committed to ensuring that we provide the best service we can to adults with learning disabilities. Our trustees all have different backgrounds and skills which they bring to the organisation. We are grateful of their knowledge, skills and time that they give voluntarily to the running of our society.

Our trustees meet every 6 weeks and share thoughts and ideas on improvement of services, talk about the charities objectives and direction and get involved with fundraising events. If you would like to consider being a trustee, we’d love to hear from you!

Become a Trustee

Get in touch with us

Contact us

Get involved with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap