Meet Our Team
Lynda WilliamsCEO
Lynda joined the team in January 2023, feeling incredibly privileged to be leading such an amazing organisation empowering members to be at the heart of everything. Most of her working life has been within the Charity sector. She gets a buzz out of making sure people have access to opportunities, ensuring they can be the best they can. From her first visit, she was struck by the relaxed atmosphere and following that, the reality that members really do have a voice here. One of her main priorities will be to find new premises which will allow Paul’s Place to develop the offer for members.
Outside of work, she spends time with her Springer Spaniel, walking her for miles on end and taking care of her beehive.
Outside of work, she spends time with her Springer Spaniel, walking her for miles on end and taking care of her beehive.
Gabbey AbbottSupport Worker
Gabbey joined the team in August 2022. She has worked in many different care settings, including dementia care, mental health support and residential care. During the pandemic she even took on the role of non-emergency support for an ambulance service. Her knowledge of care work is vast, which makes her ideal for Paul’s Place. She chose care as a career as she loves being with people, but also as she has taken on care duties for her family members. In her spare time, she is a brilliant baker, skilled beautician and a lover of a good DIY project! She lives with her husband and two cats Stanley and Catsby.
Andy CarterTeam Leader
Andy started as a volunteer cook in 2013 and became a Support Worker in 2015. He works closely with service users in the day facility, is a Boccia coach and organises our all-important day trips and short breaks. Since becoming a Team Leader in November 2020, he now supervises the support team together with Heather Gartland. He also continues to work closely with service users to help them achieve their goals. Andy, in his own words, says he feels the help and support he provides to others, has been given back to him even more. Outside of Paul’s Place Andy is completing a degree in Psychology and enjoys walking his Labrador.
Joe CarterSupport Worker
Joe joined Paul’s Place in 2014. He helps the team with the range of activities on offer in the day facility. Joe is heavily invovled with our boccia team during practice and competitions. He also enjoys going on day trips and holidays. Joe loves seeing the confidence grow in people as they step outside of their comfort zone, whether its through Boccia, day trips or holidays. The ability to offer such a wide range of services is what makes his role so rewarding, as there is something for everyone to take part in. In his spare time, you will find Joe dancing or volunteering at festivals, mountain biking and dabbling in learning to play guitar.
Bob FoxSupport Worker
Bob joined the team in 2011 and is a Support Worker and Fire Marshall for Paul’s Place Daily. His previous career was in the travel industry, which took him all around the globe – from South America to Bora Bora. He loves to keep active, something which he brings to the role of Support Worker. Co-ordinating many of Paul’s Place’s activities outside, he loves nothing more than encouraging people to try the range of adapted sports like archery. The most rewarding part of his roles is seeing an individual achieve something they thought was out of bounds due to their disability.
Heather GartlandTeam Leader
Heather started at Paul’s Place in July 2017 as a Support Worker. In her own words, ‘the relaxed atmosphere, banter and sense of accomplishment found in the day facility is what makes Paul’s Place truly unique’. Heather is one of Paul’s Place’s most travelled support workers, having spent many years backpacking around the world starting from her previous home In South Africa. She brings her expertise and world knowledge into her role to create varied activities. Since November 2020 she has been Team Leader. Outside of work Heather loves spending time outdoors with her Scottie dog and catching up on the latest sporting news.
Mikhaela GartlandSupport Worker
Mikhaela became part of the team in March 2021. Her previous role was working with adults with learning difficulties at the Bingham day centre, part of Care Futures.
Mikhaela was raised in Cape Town, South Africa for the first 10 years of her life. Her globetrotting nature has taken her as far as Lapland and New York. Her favourite place was Lapland where she could experience husky and reindeer rides, as well as visiting a village in the arctic circle. In her spare time, she loves being creative with crafts and baking, as well as spending time outdoors and with animals.
Mikhaela was raised in Cape Town, South Africa for the first 10 years of her life. Her globetrotting nature has taken her as far as Lapland and New York. Her favourite place was Lapland where she could experience husky and reindeer rides, as well as visiting a village in the arctic circle. In her spare time, she loves being creative with crafts and baking, as well as spending time outdoors and with animals.
Sheila HewittSafeguarding Manager
Sheila joined Paul’s Place in August 2007 as a Social Worker, having worked in the social care sector for a long time. Sheila looks after new people coming to Paul’s Place, by carrying out initial assessments to ensure individual needs are met. In addition to this, she has led our Carers Project, which supported carers of the disabled adults at Paul’s Place. Sheila is passionate about helping people become more independent and achieve their goals and aspirations. She loves walking her dog Ted and mainly being in the great outdoors, enjoying nature.
Sophie KinsmanTrust and Grants Fundraiser
Sophie joined Paul’s Place in May 2024 specifically to raise funds for our work from trusts and foundations. From her first visit to Paul’s Place, Sophie has loved the welcoming, lively, and positive atmosphere here. She first got into fundraising by volunteering in New York at a children’s charity called, Green Chimney’s Children’s Services, while living there in the 1990s. On returning to the UK, Sophie joined Marie Curie UK for sixteen years and, more recently, Arnos Vale Cemetery for over three years. Outside of work, Sophie spends time with her family – walking the family dog, swimming and camping, when the weather allows!
Melinda MartonFinance Manager
Melinda joined the team in July 2023. She moved to the UK in 2016 she’s been involved in the charity sector since then. She manages the financial health and operations of Paul’s Place as well as our lovely finance team. From her first meeting with the team and the members Melinda was very impressed by the positive atmosphere and importance of Paul’s Place in its members’ lives. Outside of work she likes cooking, having guests and going to festivals. Melinda has disabled hedgehogs living in her garden.
Niall MillarSupport Worker
Niall joined Paul’s Place as a support worker in January 2024, after volunteering with us for eighteen months. Niall loves spending time with our members and enjoys making them laugh. He supports setting up our day facility activities and encouraging our members to get involved. Outside of work Niall plays various board games. He loves watching a great film and listening to live music from local bands in Bristol.
Sarah PattenSGDEN Manager
Sarah joined the team in May 2024. She’ll oversee all aspects of the South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network (SGDEN) and advocate for physically disabled people in South Gloucestershire.
Sarah’s eager to eliminated discrimination and work towards every disabled person having a voice in our society.
Outside of Paul’s Place, you’ll find Sarah in her pottery studio or spending time in the garden. She enjoys walking or enjoying a good book alongside her cat, Atticus, and family dog, Lola.
Sarah’s eager to eliminated discrimination and work towards every disabled person having a voice in our society.
Outside of Paul’s Place, you’ll find Sarah in her pottery studio or spending time in the garden. She enjoys walking or enjoying a good book alongside her cat, Atticus, and family dog, Lola.
Paula ReeceSupport Worker
Paula joined our team in May 2022. Before Paul’s Place she was working as the day centre’s assistant manager for Autistic Adults. After working with the Avon Autistic Foundation, she changed course to work as an assistant in a school. In all her roles, she has always wanted to help people and make a difference. Since joining Paul’s Place, she has loved how her days are full of laughter. In her spare time you will find her spending days out with her 3 boys – they enjoy going geocaching together.
Simon SkidmoreSupport Worker
Simon joined our team in August 2022. Simon comes from a background in finance and decided to start his career in care after caring for a family member. His first role was helping people with independent living, but he wanted to help more people, which is why he found Paul’s Place. He loves helping people become more independent and finding their voice. In his spare time, you will find him catching up on the cricket, rugby or football.
Leanne StowellVolunteer Coordinator & Monitoring, Evaluations, Outcomes, and Finance Officer
Leanne joined the team in March 2021 as a Support Worker having previously worked at the Brandon Trust for several years. Since August 2022, she became our volunteer coordinator and in July 2023 we expanded her role to include Monitoring, Evaluations, Outcomes, and Finance. Her job is to recruit, manage and support volunteers as well as managing our Customer Relationship Management system and actioning service user outcomes. She also supports the finance team within Paul’s Place with various admin tasks. Outside of work, Leanne loves walking her dog, Archie. Her favourite place to relax is in the quiet parts of Ibiza, which shows, as she has visited the island 13 times!
David SullyCommunications Officer
David joined the team in October 2023. David qualified in Advertising and Marketing at Watford School of Business in 2002. He then grew his publicity skills while working for the NHS and Local Authority. David loves creating articles, which are easy on the eye and visually exciting. David also works as a wellbeing coach and has a passion for making physical activities and healthy eating for everyone and not the few. Outside of Paul’s Place you will see David on his road bike along the Bristol to Bath cycle track or swinging a kettle bell at Easton Leisure Centre.
Sian Thompson MinerviniHead of Operations
Sian joined Paul’s Place as Head of Operations in October 2024. Her role includes leading and developing the day programmes in Pauls Place with a particular focus on reviewing, assessing and responding to need. She has worked in the area of disability for seventeen years in both frontline and leadership roles.
She has a strong interest in disability rights, social inclusion, and community engagement.
Outside of work Sian enjoys cooking for friends, hiking, watching films, listening to music, and going to gigs!
Kayley WallerFundraising and Communications Manager
Kayley joined our team in May 2023 and has worked in the charity sector (specifically fundraising) for over 16 years, predominantly in events but has done a bit of everything! She also managed the charity programme at the Bath Half Marathon for 3 years raising around 1.75 million yearly. Having been born with an upper limb difference, Kayley is passionate about changing the narrative around disability and wants to help create a world where ability is not defined by an individual’s form or physical appearance. In her spare time, Kayley is an ambassador for the IAMPOSSIBLE Foundation, has 2 young daughters that keep her busy and can be usually found at any live music venue!
Maria WiltshireSupport Worker
Maria joined the team in May 2022. She had previously worked in community care, and as a support worker for the Milestones’ Trust. On top of that, she is currently doing her level 3 in leadership and management. She is an experienced support worker who has helped a wide range of people. What she finds rewarding about care work is helping someone get back to their true self. To see them go from a dark place of struggle to thriving again. This is what she brings to the team at Paul’s Place. She loves seeing people live their best life! In her spare time, you will find her going on long walks with her German Sheppard Takoda, spending time with her 10 grandchildren or knitting cute things for her family.