Team
Our Patrons
Gillian Reid
Gillian Reid, JP, SRN Gillian is a mother of three and grandmother of five, was a magistrate for over 28 years and also Chairman of the Youth Bench which gave her insight and interest in the problems of teenagers and young people. Gill was a Trustee for many years before taking on the role as Patron.
John Campbell
John Campbell is a Michelin starred chef. He is one of the UK’s cutting edge chefs with an international reputation for innovation expertise and flair. A passion for working with young people, he freely gives time and expertise to our young people in catering matters and cooking.
Our Trustees
Paul Greenan
Treasurer of Trustee Board and Chair of Finance Committee. Paul joined the Board in July 2018. Paul is a qualified accountant and also holds an MBA. He has worked in the technology, distribution, construction and finance sectors in commercial and financial roles. In December 2016, he bought TaxAssist Accountants in Newbury from the owner that was retiring. Since then, he has grown his own business as well as helped many small business clients within West Berkshire do so also. Paul’s experience is extremely useful, especially as our charity grows. In his spare time, Paul enjoys geocaching and being in the great outdoors.
Tim Dyson
Chair of Trustee Board and of Fundraising and Marketing Committee. Tim’s career began in sales before progressing into leadership roles in the high technology business to business sector. Since retiring he has devoted much of his time to working with young people as a mentor and business advisor. He joined YPACF as a trustee in January 2019 and took over the role of Chair in July. He is a member of Thatcham Rotary Club, a keen singer and a poor golfer.
Margaret Bhatt
Margaret worked as a qualified Social Worker for Berkshire (in Slough) for 13 years working in different child care teams including assessing foster parents and adoptive parents together with guardian and child protection work. She gave up work to foster a little boy – for 2 years before being able to adopt him. She then adopted a girl placed at just 6 days old so she has been on both sides of the fostering placement process. She returned to work and spent 20 years as an Education Social Worker often working alongside the main Social Work teams so she understands some of the pressures on both foster carers and social workers. Margaret works very closely with the young residents.
Anna Savage
Anna was a nurse before having children then returned to work for local government in a middle management role. In later life, she returned to university to become a social worker for children and families. Anna is the Chair of our Residents’ Committee and member of our HR Committee. She is experienced in listening and supporting emotional and psychological problems, relationships and difficult life experiences and situations which is essential for the charity in supporting our young people. Her interests are trying to stay fit with exercise and diet, interior design, Rockchoir, salsa dancing and taking part in a writing and a book club. She also loves travelling to different parts of the world and has lived in Poland and Spain.
Karen Salmon
Karen has 33 years in business running an Aerospace Company. She has vast experience in contracts, finance, marketing and electronic manufacturing. In 2005 Karen retrained as a solicitor dealing mainly with small businesses, estate planning and family law. Working with separated parents and local authority care applications. Karen currently runs 2 companies, Force Technologies Ltd and Marlborough Law Limited. She is married to Mike with 2 girls, Lotte aged 21 a psychology masters’ student and Becky a primary teacher at Francis Bailey School in Thatcham. Her hobbies include spending time with family, cycling, reading and weekend breaks with Mike. Karen was previously a Trustee on the board of directors with Swindon Women’s Aid and having completed her task there of assisting the Chairwoman to set up the new board and the financial systems, she left to look for a new challenge. We are delighted she is now with us!
Peter Harris
Peter is a former Police Officer, retail manager, and Independent Financial Adviser. He took early retirement following the sale of the local service-based business he ran for twenty years. Having retired slightly early he has taken on a number of unpaid roles including Vice Chairman of the Trade Association and a presenter on Kennet Radio, the local community radio station. He Chairs the Charity Property Committee and is invaluable when it comes to decisions regarding Health and Safety. Peter has a keen interest in DIY and property refurbishment. He is married with three grown up children and four Granddaughters. His interests are music, DIY, Scootering (motorised ones) and DJing/presenting.
Kate Martin
Kate joined the Board in Nov 2022. She has worked in the charity sector for over a decade, for organisations such as Cancer Research UK, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Macmillan Cancer Support and Launchpad. She currently works for the Royal Berks Charity within the NHS, working with local businesses and major donors. Originally from South Wales, Kate moved to Reading to study at the University of Reading and gained a first class honours degree in Management and Business Administration. Kate has a real impact at YPACF, especially providing fundraising and marketing knowledge and guidance. Kate spends her freetime playing and umpiring netball across local leagues across Berkshire.
Karen Ferris
Karen Ferris is a highly experienced senior HR professional who has held leadership positions in a range of different business sectors, including professional services and not-for-profit, and founded Professionals in Partnership HR Consultancy in 2016. She joined YPACF as a Trustee in July 2020 and as an HR Specialist, Karen provides support to the CEO, the Finance Committee as well as the main Board of Trustees. In addition to running her business and being a Trustee, Karen is an Enterprise Adviser with the Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub and a Committee Member of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce.
Our Founders
Patsy Stone
Co-Founder Patsy and John set up Children 1st West Berkshire in 2008. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and were foster carers for over 20 years. Patsy is very ‘hands-on’ supporting the young residents, the live-in mentor and live-out manager. Patsy and John work tirelessly for the charity every day to date and have great satisfaction seeing its growth and the many successes of the young residents. John did the lion’s share of the initial administration in setting up the charity and continues to work on a daily basis within the charity in a variety of roles, including practical hands-on aspects of the fabric of Cornerstone, and working in the office managing the top level organisation of the charity and the workload of the office staff.
John Stone
Co- Founder & Trustee Patsy and John set up Children 1st West Berkshire in 2008. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and were foster carers for over 20 years. Patsy is very ‘hands-on’ supporting the young residents, the live-in mentor and live-out manager. Patsy and John work tirelessly for the charity every day to date and have great satisfaction seeing its growth and the many successes of the young residents. John did the lion’s share of the initial administration in setting up the charity and continues to work on a daily basis within the charity in a variety of roles, including practical hands-on aspects of the fabric of Cornerstone, and working in the office managing the top level organisation of the charity and the workload of the office staff.
Our CEO
Tracy Underwood
Tracy Underwood has over 10 years’ experience working in the healthcare and charity sectors, within the National Autistic Society and most recently working for Sue Ryder as National Service Improvement Manager. In this role she was pivotal in leading Hospices across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire to achieve their Outstanding CQC Inspection rating. Tracy grew up in Newbury, spent many years touring the world working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before returning to the UK and finding her ‘calling’ working in the charity sector.
Our Staff
Lauren Kingham
Support Worker Lauren has an Hons degree in Criminology with Psychology. She is an experienced support worker with four years at Priors Court as an Autism Practitioner, leading a Team. Lauren enjoys being creative (especially with our young people) and spends time pottery painting, walking the dogs and time with friends and family.
Amy Haines
Support Worker Amy has an Honours degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies. She has over 6 years’ experience of working in the homelessness, mental health and prison settings dealing with complex needs. Amy has two children with her partner. She enjoys cooking, baking, yoga and spending time with her family. She is learning to speak Russian!
Sarah Calvert
Support Worker Sarah has a Youth and Community Hons Degree. She has been working with young vulnerable teenagers and adults since 2005 and is an experienced support worker. She has recently returned from a position in Thailand to join our Charity. In her spare time she likes to go to the gym, being creative and when permitted, snowboarding holidays.
Lynne Hookway
Administrator Lynne is a performance driven management professional with over 30 years in the business and telecommunications industry. An experienced Project Manager, she possesses strong administration and project implementation skills. Lynne enjoys spending time with her son and grandson. She is interested in family history, likes reading, and gardening.
Jimmy Heath
Live in Supervisor
Mandy Brennan
Live in Supervisor
Liz Tucker
Community Fundraiser