Call

Just Giving

Trustees

Peter Mitchener

Chair

Peter Mitchener is a pillar of the Cheltenham community for over three decades, epitomises the spirit of altruism and service. His multifaceted engagement spans leadership roles in fitness organisations, community initiatives, and governance positions in education and healthcare. Peter’s journey with Crossroads Care Gloucestershire began as a personal one, when the organisation provided essential respite during his tenure as a caregiver for his father afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. This experience ignited Peter’s passion for the organisation’s mission and spurred his desire to contribute at a deeper level. With a background steeped in Actuarial science, Peter brings a wealth of expertise in governance, finance, and strategic planning to the trustee board. His vision is not only to offer guidance and support but also to foster innovation and growth, ensuring that Crossroads continues to be a beacon of hope for carers in the community.

Richard Wheatley

Vice Chair

Richard Wheatley’s journey to becoming a trustee for Crossroads Care Gloucestershire epitomizes his commitment to societal betterment through innovation. With over two decades as an Engineer in esteemed companies like BAE Systems and Dyson, Richard’s passion for problem-solving was ignited during a transformative experience in 2020. Participating in an Engineering Hackathon focused on assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, he was inspired to seek more opportunities to contribute to societal challenges. Encountering Sheila and Helen at Crossroads Care solidified his determination. As a trustee, Richard aims to leverage his expertise in innovation and engineering to enhance the quality of care and support services, ensuring carers and those they care for receive the assistance and compassion they deserve.

Nana Addae-Baah

Treasurer

Nana Addae-Baah’s journey to becoming a trustee for Crossroads Care Gloucestershire is a testament to his commitment to community service and financial stewardship. With nearly two decades of experience spanning charity, public, and commercial sectors, Nana has honed his expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and operational excellence. His current role as Finance & Planning Manager for a large charity underscores his dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others. However, it was Nana’s personal experiences witnessing his parents’ struggles with respite care that ignited his passion for advocacy and drove him to join Crossroads. As a trustee, Nana seeks to leverage his financial acumen and strategic insights to ensure the sustainability and growth of the organisation, empowering carers and enhancing their access to vital support services.

Sheila Reynolds

Trustee

Sheila Reynolds brings to Crossroads Care Gloucestershire over five decades of unparalleled expertise in Adult Social Care. With three decades in local authorities (LAs) and subsequent involvement in social care regulation, Sheila’s journey is a testament to her commitment to the sector. Transitioning to the national level in 2002, she ascended to senior management roles, shaping policies and practices in adult social care. In 2010, Sheila embarked on a new chapter, establishing her consultancy, where she continued to advocate for quality care provision. As an Independent Consultant, she collaborated with a myriad of organisations, offering invaluable insights on regulatory compliance and delivering impactful training programmes. Sheila’s influence extended beyond consultancy, as she emerged as a prominent figure in national adult social care conferences, sharing her expertise and vision for the sector’s future. However, amidst her professional accomplishments, Sheila remained grounded by her awareness of the challenges faced by unpaid carers. This deep understanding prompted her to embrace the opportunity to serve as a trustee for Crossroads Care Gloucestershire, driven by a desire to champion the unsung heroes of caregiving and elevate their indispensable role in society.

Liz Keen

Trustee

Liz Keen is a seasoned Occupational Therapist (OT) with a rich background in healthcare and community advocacy. Commencing her career at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Liz later shifted her focus to Gloucestershire, where she played pivotal roles in enhancing OT services and integrating health and social care initiatives. Beyond her professional commitments, Liz is a co-founder of the Cirencester Spastics Society (later Scope) and served as the founding Chairman of CareShare, which later merged with Crossroads Care. With over three decades of dedicated service, Liz brings a depth of knowledge and a compassionate ethos to her trustee position, committed to furthering community welfare through her involvement with Gloucestershire Crossroads Care. Additionally, Liz assumed the role of director in her family’s construction company in 1978, which she held until 1995. Following that, Liz and her husband ventured into the funeral business, where they now oversee five outlets. Liz continues to serve as a director in these companies, contributing to their growth and operations alongside her healthcare career.

Steve Casey

Trustee

Steve has over forty years’ experience working in the life and health insurance markets in the UK, Europe and the Far East. A Chartered Insurer, he has spent a career developing solutions around the customer for the benefit of them and their family.

He comes to Crossroads Care Gloucestershire with a wealth of experience in the charity sector having been the Secretary / Treasurer for the Catharine Ball for Almshouses charity in Cheltenham for over 14 years and successfully oversaw the merging with Lilian Faithfull in 2022. As a result, he is able to provide strategic direction, robust challenge and a desire to be innovative and develop solutions that support those carers by making a meaningful difference to their lives. This is based in part by his personal experience in struggling to find the appropriate support for both his parents in the latter stages of their lives at a distance from where they lived.

He is also currently a board member for LegaCare, a charity based in Newcastle offering free legal advice and continued support to critically ill patients underpinning his support in helping those who are helping others.

Ruth Thomas:

Trustee

Ruth enjoyed a distinguished career in senior leadership within the NHS before recently choosing to take partial retirement in pursuit of a more balanced lifestyle. This transition has enabled her to engage in a range of additional responsibilities, including serving as a Trustee for Crossroads Care. Her experience in the NHS highlighted the profound influence Carers have on the lives of those they support, and she is passionate about contributing to initiatives that drive meaningful change.

Ruth brings to her role a robust skill set encompassing risk management, comprehensive human resources expertise, strategic development, and performance oversight.

Carers Training