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, making sure 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.

Gabbey AbbottVolunteer Development Officer

Gabbey joined the team in August 2022 as a Support Worker. She has worked in many different care settings, including dementia care, mental health support and residential care. Her knowledge of care, work and volunteering is vast, so Gabbey’s transition from support worker in 2022 to our volunteer development officer in 2025 made sense. Gabbey loves being with our members and supporting them to gain the confidence and skills they need to volunteer at Paul’s Place and beyond.

Andy CarterTeam Leader

Andy started as a volunteer cook in 2013 and became a Support Worker in 2015. He works closely with our members in our 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.

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 involved with our boccia team during practise and competitions. He also enjoys going on the day trips and holidays. Joe loves seeing our members confidence grow 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.

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.

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 has travelled the globe, from South Africa to the Arctic Circle. So, she loves encouraging our members to go outdoors and experience new places. Mikhaela also has a passion for crafts, baking and wild animals and sharing this passion in our day facility.

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 make sure 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.

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. During the 1990s Sophie lived in New York and volunteered at Children’s charity, Green Chimney’s Children’s Services. Since then Sophie’s fundraising work spanned from Marie Curie UK to more recently at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Melinda MartonFinance Manager

Melinda joined the team in July 2023 to manage the financial health and operations at Paul’s Place. She works very closely with our chief Executive and Fundraising Team to make sure we can finance our service for physically disabled adults. From Melinda’s first visit she was very impressed with the positive atmosphere and importance of Paul’s Place in our members’ lives.

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. Niall brings his enthusiasm board games, films and live music into Paul’s Place.

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.

Paula ReeceSupport Worker

Paula joined our team in May 2022. Before Paul’s Place she worked as a day centre 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.

Simon SkidmoreSupport Worker

Simon joined our team in August 2022. He originally worked in finance and re-trained in care after caring for a family member. Simon helped individuals with independent living in his first caring role, but he wanted to help more people, which is why he joined Paul’s Place. Simon loves fishing and various sports and encourages our members to get involved.

Leanne StowellVolunteer Coordinator & Monitoring, Evaluations, Outcomes, and Finance Officer

Leanne originally joined the team in March 2021 as a Support Worker. She then moved into a part time volunteer coordinator role. And in July 2023 we expanded her role to include Finance, as well as monitoring and evaluating our members outcomes. At Paul’s Place, Leanne actively recruits volunteers and corporate volunteers while managing our Customer Relationship Management System.

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 publicity at Paul’s Place, which are easy on the eye and visually exciting. Please send David your stories, quotes or information to engage our members at Paul’s Place.

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.

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! 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.

Maria WiltshireSupport Worker

Maria joined the team in May 2022. She had worked in community care, and as a support worker for the Milestones’ Trust. Maria 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 Maria brings to the team at Paul’s Place.