I’m Rick, the Foundation’s Operation Manager. I’m responsible for all aspects of running our Pain Into Power phoneline. When you contact The Maggie Oliver Foundation, mine is likely to be the first friendly voice that you hear. It’s been a pleasure to be so involved in growing the Foundation and I’ve enjoyed turning my hand to anything: supporting survivors, advocating for them with statutory services, building and managing our CRM system and growing partnerships. Prior to joining TMOF, I spent over two decades as a police officer which has provided valuable insight into how the system can fail victims, strengthening my desire to help them to turn their Pain Into Power.
I’m Jennie and I’m the Business Manager at The Maggie Oliver Foundation, supporting on fundraising and strategic development. As an accredited trauma-informed educator, I also provide training to our ambassadors. I started my career in finance, spending 13 years leading the European investment team of a NYSE listed property fund. After the birth of my son, now 6, I wanted a career that was more connected to “the real world”. I spent three years as part of the team which established Little Village, one of the country’s largest baby bank charities supporting over 6,000 children last year and becoming a leading voice in the campaign against child poverty in the UK. I’m still a proud trustee of the charity. I also am also Chair of the trustee board at Out There, a charity supporting families of prisoners who are often the invisible victims of crime.
During my second maternity leave, I trained to teach restorative justice to female offenders in prisons. Spending six weeks with small groups of women, I’d work with them to identify the ripple effect of their crimes. For many, this was a difficult journey as they reflected on traumatic past events that had led to their offending, sometimes involving sexual abuse in their childhoods. This led me to the amazing Maggie Oliver Foundation where I try my best to use my experience to give survivors a voice and to support them in turning their Pain Into Power.
My name is Charlene, but I prefer everyone to call me ‘Chaz’
I am delighted to be newly appointed to the ‘Staff’ team, as the Service Co-ordinator. I had been volunteering at The Foundation since mid-July 2020, until becoming employed on 1st September 2021.
Initially, I joined The Foundation to help where I can. It became apparent, that I needed to roll my sleeves up, and get stuck in... and the rest, as they say, is history!
I have to say, these past 14 months have really taught me a lot, and I have grown so much as a person (not in height, unfortunately).
The journey we are all on at the Foundation, is really changing lives. I personally see that on a daily basis.
The Foundation offers a personal service to survivors, that just can’t be found anywhere else.
Within my role as the Service Co-ordinator, I am there to support mainly the Operations Manager, but also the Business Manager and Founder too.
I feel, for me, the most important role I play a part in is coordinating the support calls to our survivors, that have entrusted us with being part of their journey. Ensuring, that our trained volunteers are delivering the service to the standards our survivors deserve.
I am also responsible for the onboarding of our volunteers and ensuring that they are well supported, and feel part of the team.
I have to say, I am exceptionally proud of each Ambassador at the Foundation. We all hold the same values and truly are here to make a difference to those that need us. It is great to work alongside such exceptional people, who believe in driving changes, empowering others, and challenging where it’s needed.
Alongside being the Service co-ordinator, I am also a foster carer to 4 amazing children, and I have been in this role for 11 and a half years. Making a difference to those that have suffered at the hands of others is deeply ingrained in my very being.
I enjoy being around people who love nothing more, than seeing those around them succeed. I have suffered my own struggles throughout much of my life, but this has only made me a stronger, more empathetic and kinder person. I love nothing more than giving to others and wanting nothing in return.
I am looking forward to navigating my way through my new role at the Foundation, being supported by the best people possible…. Maggie, Rick and Jennie. I will truly be learning from the very best!
I am married with a son who lives and works in London. My husband and I have recently relocated to Scotland to be near family after living in the London area for many years. I am enjoying lots of hill walking and cycling.
I left the north east of England when I was 19 years old and spent 13 years in the Metropolitan Police. After my son was born I worked in schools and was safeguarding lead and family support worker in my last role.
The reason I want to be part of The Maggie Oliver Foundation is I strongly believe in exposing abuse, for victims to have their voice heard and hold their head up high and turn their pain into power.
Hello! I am married to Steve and we have 6 grown up children.
I started my working life, a very long time ago, in advertising and marketing in a production role. Once I had my children I re-trained and eventually enjoyed a new career supporting children with additional needs in a local primary school. This progressed to a further 15 years working within Early Years. I was always drawn to supporting families and left in 2015 to start my own childminding business. I employed my eldest daughter and we enjoyed providing a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment for children where we were able to develop fantastic relationships with lots of wonderful families.
Despite my background in Education and on-going training in Safeguarding and Child Protection it came as a huge shock to discover that my youngest daughter was a victim of grooming and CSE. She was just 14 years old. This led to heart breaking events around self-harm, overdoses and drug and alcohol abuse. Around this time ‘The Three Girls’ was brought to my attention and that was when I first heard about Maggie Oliver.
In September 2020 I was devastated to have to close my business due to ill health, so when the opportunity arose to apply to the foundation as a volunteer it felt like perfect timing. I supported survivors on the phone lines, providing that much needed listening ear. For me personally, it was a hugely rewarding experience. Tragically, in November 2021, my beautiful daughter Mary lost her fight. Two weeks before her 21st birthday.
In March 2022 I was offered a job within the foundation as an outreach worker and I was honoured to accept. Despite my own pain I am determined to carry on raising awareness of CSAE, the failings of the criminal justice system and supporting survivors. Our team is the most amazing group of likeminded people I have ever met. We are going to make a difference!
Please note, our team are taking a short break over Christmas as will not be checking emails regularly. We'll respond once we are back on Tuesday 3rd January. Thank you for understanding.
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