Claire Smith
Interim Charity Director
Since 1997, we have been a vital lifeline for unpaid carers in Swindon - championing their rights, enhancing their wellbeing, and providing tailored services that address their unique needs.
Our mission is to create a strong, inclusive network where unpaid carers feel truly valued and supported. Through a variety of activities and events, we foster both peer and professional connections, while offering opportunities for relaxation, enjoyment, and personal growth.
At the heart of our work is a compassionate and knowledgeable team that deeply understands the challenges carers face. We are dedicated to improving their quality of life, offering a safe space where they can decompress, take a break from their caring responsibilities, and focus on their own physical and emotional wellbeing.
Interim Charity Director
Claire is the Charity Director, having joined Swindon Carers Centre in 2022 as Head of Development she took on the Director role in 2025, and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Claire provides overall leadership for Swindon Carers Centre, ensuring the delivery of our agreed vision, strategy, values, and specific objectives. She is dedicated to making the best use of resources to achieve our long-term strategy and plays a significant role in promoting Swindon Carers Centre and advocating for carers' rights and issues both locally and nationally.
Head of Service Delivery
Debbie joined Swindon Carers Centre in 2014 and is our Head of Service Delivery, as well as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. She provides strategic leadership and oversees the operational management of our carer support services, ensuring high-quality support for carers across Swindon.
Passionate about advocating for carers' rights, Debbie works to raise awareness among professionals and the wider community within Swindon.
Debbie is the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead for Adults, Children, and Young People, and represents Swindon Carers Centre on the Swindon Safeguarding Partnership Board.
Deputy Service Delivery Manager
Tina is our Deputy Service Delivery Manager, and reports to the Head of Service Delivery.
Tina supports the Adult Carer Team with day-to-day operations, including overseeing Carers Conversations and Carers Relief applications. Tina works hard to raise awareness of carers rights across Swindon and between other professionals.
Tina is our Deputy Safeguarding Lead for Adults.
Deputy Service Delivery Manager
Andrea is our Deputy Service Delivery Manager, and reports to the Head of Service Delivery.
Andrea supports the Parent and Young Carer Team with day-to-day operations; including managing referrals and assessments, and overviewing groups, activities and 1:1 support.
Andrea is our Deputy Safeguarding Lead for Children and Young People.
Adult Carer Support Practitioner
Amanda is one of our Adult Carer Support Practitioners within the Adult Carer Support Team.
Amanda speaks to many carers offering them information, advice, Carer Conversations (Care Act), and support. She can be contacted through our Adult Carer Support Services line on 01793 401090.
Adult Carer Support Practitioner
Katie is one of our Adult Carer Support Practitioners within the Adult Carer Support Team.
Katie speaks to many carers offering them information, advice, Carer Conversations (Care Act), and support. She can be contacted through our Adult Carer Support Services line on 01793 401090.
Adult Carer Support Practitioner
Tanya is one of our Adult Carer Support Practitioners within the Adult Carer Support Team.
Tanya speaks to many carers offering them information, advice, Carer Conversations (Care Act), and support. Tanya is also an accredited LGBTQ+ Ally. She can be contacted through our Adult Carer Support Services line on 01793 401090
Adult Carer Support Practitioner
Adela is one of our Adult Carer Support Practitioners within the Adult Carer Support Team.
Adela speaks to many carers offering them information, advice, Carer Conversations (Care Act), and support. She can be contacted through our Adult Carer Support Services line on 01793 401090.
Carer Support Line Practitioner
Becky is our Carer Support Line Practitioner within the Adult Carer Team and leads on handling all calls into our Carer Support Line.
Becky speaks to many carers every day supporting them with queries and provides carers with information and advice. She signposts and refers carers to many other support services available for the carer and their dependant(s).
Becky can be contacted through our Adult Carer Support Services line on 01793 401090.
Emergency Card Scheme Administrator
Nick is our Emergency Card Scheme Administrator.
He speaks to many carers ensuring they have the right plans in place for their cared for in the event of an emergency to the carer, enabling their dependants to be looked after if the carer can’t. Nick also does a lot of emergency scheme awareness with external professionals.
Nick can be contacted through our Adult Carer Support Services line on 01793 401090.
Benefits Service Coordinator
Kelly is our Benefits Service Coordinator.
She speaks to many carers every day to provide a proactive service, giving specialist advice to carers on the availability of welfare benefits, income maximisation, and sources of financial help.
Kelly can be contacted through our Benefits Advice line on 01793 401093.
Parent Carer Support Practitioner
Lorraine is our Senior Parent Carer Support Practitioner within the Parent Carer Team.
Lorraine offers practical and emotional support to parent carers, carries out assessments, helps them to access support they may need, and signposts to many other support services available to carers in Swindon.
Lorraine can be contacted through our Parent Carer Support Services line on 01793 401094.
Young Carer Support Practitioner
Claudia is a Young Carer Support Practitioner.
Claudia undertakes assessments with young carers providing information, advice, and support as appropriate. Claudia supports at our young carer groups and activities throughout the year, providing a friendly face for young carers to identify with.
Claudia can be contacted through our Young Carer Support Services line on 01793 401091.
Young Carer Support Practitioner
Rachael is a Young Carer Support Practitioner.
Rachael undertakes assessments with young carers providing information, advice, and support as appropriate. Rachael supports at our young carer groups and activities throughout the year, providing a friendly face for young carers to identify with.
Rachael can be contacted through our Young Carer Support Services line on 01793 401091.
Events Coordinator (YC)
Sophie is our Events Coordinator for the Young Carer Team.
Sophie organises and manages our term-time groups and holiday activities for the year, ensuring we offer a wide-variety of events for young carers to have a break away from their caring responsibilities, meet other young carers and have fun.
Sophie can be contacted through our Young Groups and Activities line on 01793 401092.
Events Manager (AC)
Heather is our Events Manager for the Adult Carer Events team.
Heather manages the Adult Carer Events service ensuring we offer a varied events calendar throughout the year for carers, which also includes events for parent carers.
Heather can be contacted through our Adult Carer Groups and Activities line on 01793 401095.
Events Coordinator (AC)
Zoe is our Events Coordinator for the Adult Carer Events team.
Zoe helps to organise and coordinate a range many of our carer events across Swindon helping carers to have a break away from their usual caring responsibilities, meet other carers and connect, and learn new skills.
Zoe can be contacted through our Adult Carer Groups and Activities line on 01793 401095.
Events Coordinator (AC)
Sue is our Events Coordinator for the Adult Carer Events team.
Sue helps to organise and coordinate a range of many of our carer events across Swindon helping carers to have a break away from their usual caring responsibilities, meet other carers, connect, and learn new skills.
She can be contacted through our Adult Carer Groups and Activities line on 01793 401095.
Adult Carer Groups and Activities Volunteer
Sarah is our Adult Carers Groups and Activities Volunteer and supports our Adult Carer Events team and carers at many of our groups.
Adult Carer Groups and Activities Volunteer
Maggie is our Adult Carers Groups and Activities Volunteer and supports our Adult Carer Events team and carers at many of our groups.
Events Volunteers
Roger is our Events Volunteer and supports our Adult Carer Events team and carers at many of our groups.
Young Carer Activities Volunteer
Gary is our Young Carer Activities Volunteer and supports the Young Carer team and Young Carers at our holiday activities.
Young Carer Activities Volunteer
Shirley is our Young Carer Activities Volunteer and supports the Young Carer team and Young Carers at our holiday activities.
Volunteer Administration Assistant
Holly is our Volunteer Administration Assistant and supports the Young Carer Service Delivery team with day-to-day administration duties.
Communications and Marketing Manager
Lauren is our Communications and Marketing Manager at Swindon Carers Centre.
She oversees all aspects of our marketing, media, and communications, including managing the website, social media platforms, newsletters, and marketing materials.
Additionally, Lauren leads the planning of our annual events, such as Carers Week, Carers Rights Day, and Young Carers Action Day.
Grants and Impact Officer
Nicola is our Grants and Impact Officer and is responsible for developing and growing our grant-funded programmes.
Nicola leads overall grant management, monitoring reports, project evaluation, and communicating the impact of our work to support us to be a sustainable, efficient, and successful organisation.
Head of Finance and Resources
Bronte joined Swindon Carers Centre in 2016 and oversees the financial and internal resources at the organisation, ensuring effective support and quality assurance.
As part of the Senior Leadership Team, Bronte reports to the Charity Director and manages the Finance Manager and Senior Resources Officer.
Bronte contributes to the organisational strategy, oversees the finance team and operations, office management and resources, IT, HR, compliance with policies and procedures, and acts as the designated Data Protection Officer, driving efficiency and excellence in all areas.
Senior Resources Officer
Cathy is responsible for the day-to-day administration of HR, Health and Safety, IT, and general office functions at Swindon Carers Centre.
Reporting to the Head of Finance and Resources, Cathy ensures compliance with statutory requirements and maintains accurate records across the organisation.
Cathy leads HR procedures, handles office resources, supports with IT, and acts as the designated Health and Safety Officer, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment.
Finance Manager
Jacky manages the day-to-day financial operations at Swindon Carers Centre.
Reporting to the Head of Finance and Resources, Jacky is part of the Management Team and manages the Finance Officer.
Jacky is responsible for overseeing all the financial systems, budget monitoring and operations and ensures compliance with financial regulations and best practices, driving efficiency and accuracy in all financial activities.
Finance Officer
Geri is our Finance Officer and supports the day-to-day functions of all aspects of finance across the organisation.
Reporting to the Finance Manager.
She ensures compliance with financial regulations and best practices, supporting efficiency and accuracy in all financial activities.
Chair of Trustees
Hannah joined Swindon Carers Centre as a Trustee in 2016 and soon became Chair of Trustees.
She is an Occupational Psychologist specialising in recruitment, development, and selection. Previously, she taught at an independent school for children with Educational and Behavioural Difficulties, working with children and young carers. Passionate about supporting carers, Hannah is dedicated to Swindon Carers Centre's mission to engage and support carers of all ages.
In her free time, she enjoys painting, crafts, reading, and gardening.
Company Secretary
Chris has been volunteering with Swindon Carers Centre since 2016 and joined the Board in 2017, with a specialism in IT and systems.
He is mostly retired now, although still consulting in London and is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and an Independent Director of the Brunel SEN MAT.
Treasurer
Caroline has lived in Swindon since 1988, moving here to join Allied Dunbar, which later became Zurich Financial Services.
She qualified as a certified accountant while working in the Finance and Corporate Pensions team. Now retired, Caroline wanted to volunteer her skills, joining Swindon Carers Centre as a Trustee and Treasurer in 2016 and values the charity’s important work.
In her free time, Caroline enjoys painting, crafts, reading, and gardening.
Trustee
Neil, who has lived in Swindon nearly all his life, joined Swindon Carers as a trustee in 2021 after retiring from a 47-year career at TE Connectivity.
He held various roles in product development, operations, and project management, and served as the Swindon site community ambassador. This role helped him understand how companies can support local charities and build strong partnerships, including with Swindon Carers Centre. Neil brings this knowledge to support SCC's work with carers of all ages.
In his free time, he enjoys cycling, walking, and supporting Swindon football.
Vice Chair
Nina previously worked for a financial organisation with over 20 years experience, specialising in financial crime,
fraud prevention, risk oversight and compliance.
Nina has vast experience in managing and leading teams, focusing on team motivation and morale, and has always been passionate and supportive of the great work SCC have achieved and currently do day to day.
Trustee
Martyn joined as a Trustee in 2025 and is a veteran, experienced Director, and NED from the aerospace and third sectors.
He lives in Swindon and has been active within the Carers Forum of Swindon Carers Centre since his arrival. He is keen to make a difference and contribute to our community of unpaid carers in what are difficult financial times for the Public Sector.
