Meet Our Tream

At Hastings & Bexhill Mencap, our team is here to help, support, and make every day the best it can be. We are a group of friendly, caring people who love what we do.
 Everyone here works together to help our members feel happy, safe, and included, our team is what makes our community extra special.

The Executive Team

CEO, Pauline Fletcher has been part of the organisation for over 30 years, bringing unmatched experience, dedication, and insight. Over her tenure, she has witnessed and led many changes, adapting the charity to meet evolving needs and challenges. Deputy CEO, Lianne Buttrey began with the organisation as an administrator in 2018 and quickly became involved in key projects, including supporting the funding and development of the Frimley Centre build. She now plays a central role in guiding the charity’s strategic direction, helping to ensure services remain high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable. Finance Manager, Andrew Vickers joined the organisation in 2023, at an exciting time of change, bringing extensive experience from running his own businesses. As Finance Manager, he enjoys analysing the charity’s accounts and ensuring that resources are managed efficiently and sustainably.

Open Door - Day Service

Val Paine - Open Door Day Service Manager – With Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2001 and manager since 2022, Val leads the Open Door Day Service, developing services to meet local needs. She works closely with parents, carers and local authorities, supports and manages staff, and ensures the service continues to provide high-quality, person-centered care for all attendees. Wendy Russell – Deputy Manager, Open Door Day Service – Wendy has been with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2008 and is a qualified Makaton tutor. She develops engaging sessions for service users and supports Val Paine in the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring smooth operations, effective staff management, and high-quality, person-centered care. Craig Russell – Senior Support, Open Door Day Service – Craig has been with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2011, supporting both the manager and deputy in running the service. He has a strong interest in gaming and digital skills, helping to develop engaging activities for service users while supporting a creative, inclusive, and person-centered environment.

Active Arts - Visual & Performing Arts Project

Ann Bloomfield – Manager, Active Arts – Ann has been with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2002, managing the Active Arts programme. She co-ordinates creative classes, arranges exhibitions, and produces the end-of-year shows, ensuring participants have opportunities to showcase their talents. Ann’s dedication supports a vibrant, inclusive arts environment that inspires creativity and confidence in all service users. Sophie Price – Senior Support, Active Arts – Sophie has been with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2016, supporting Ann Bloomfield in coordinating classes and the end-of-year show. She takes an active role in performing classes, assisting participants with performances and costumes, and ensures creative sessions run smoothly, helping to foster confidence, skill development, and a love of the arts in all attendees. Stuart Page – Senior Support, Active Arts – Stuart has been with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2010, supporting Ann Bloomfield alongside Sophie Price. He focuses on visual arts and prop-making, while also assisting with class coordination and the end-of-year show. Stuart’s creativity and guidance help service users develop artistic skills, confidence, and a love of the arts in a supportive environment.

Westwood - Residential Care Home

Heather Hall – Care Home Manager, Westwood – Heather leads Hastings and Bexhill Mencap’s Westwood care home, managing a dedicated team to support nine residents. She ensures full compliance with care standards and regulations, overseeing day-to-day operations while promoting a safe, person-centered environment where residents receive high-quality care, support, and opportunities to thrive. Megan Marston – Senior Support, Westwood Care Home – Megan has been with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2017, supporting Heather Hall in the day-to-day running of Westwood. She helps manage staff, ensures residents receive high-quality care, and contributes to maintaining a safe, person-centered environment where all nine residents are supported to thrive and enjoy daily life. Gemma Bailey – Senior Support, Westwood Care Home – Gemma has been with Hastings and Bexhill Mencap since 2022, supporting Heather Hall in managing Westwood. She assists with staff coordination, ensures residents receive safe, person-centered care, and helps maintain a welcoming and supportive environment where all nine residents are cared for, engaged, and encouraged to thrive.

Charity Shop

Ann Edgington – Charity Shop Manager – Ann manages Hastings and Bexhill Mencap’s busy charity shop on King Road, St Leonards, overseeing a team of up to 10 dedicated volunteers. Open six days a week, the shop relies on generous donations and generates vital income to support our day services. Ann ensures smooth daily operations, motivates her team, creates a welcoming environment for shoppers, and helps the community engage with and support the charity’s work.

Our Support Team

Our Support Team is at the heart of everything we do. With around 40 dedicated staff across our services, each team member brings their own unique skills, perspectives and passions—from woodwork and creative arts to cookery and specialist residential support.

Working collaboratively, they create a supportive, inclusive environment where the people we support can thrive, learn and enjoy meaningful activities. We are especially proud of the longevity of our team; many of our staff stay with us for years, building strong, trusting relationships and a deep understanding of the individuals they support.

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