Our Team

See the full Manchester House team below or click on the buttons to see the team for each area.

Management and Administration

Our services are managed and administered by a team of executive staff who ensure the smooth running of Manchester House.

Ann (Executive Manager)
People are at Ann’s heart so working within the for-community sector is perfect for her; never dull and always challenging. Her role involves vision, the ability to listen, motivation, adaptability and trust and Ann aims every day to meet those qualities. Ann lives rurally with her husband of 38 years whom she met in Nepal. They still love to travel and have inspired their four adult children to do the same.

Jacqui (Reception/Admin)
Jacqui is that welcoming first impression as you come through the entrance to our offices and along with her reception duties, takes care of the foodbank and is the Manchester House Health and Safety Officer at the Social Services Hub.
Jacqui has worked at Manchester House for over eight years.

Belinda (Financial Administrator)
Belinda has worked at Manchester House for over six years and is part of our financial mentoring team and also the accounts administrator. Belinda’s background is in banking and business. She is now a grandmother and enjoying every minute of her grandmotherly duties.

Maxene (Funding Manager)

Max comes from a background of health and volunteered at our Op Shop for a while before moving onto the Funding Role. She keen on gardening , sewing and enjoys hand crafts so frequently finds bargains in the op shop to re-purpose.

Governance Board

Current board members:

David Scammel (Chair), Pat Ashton (Patron), Dianne Wildbore (Board secretary), Ann Williamson (EM), Harvey Bell, Peter McKenzie, Bobbie Nicholls, Steve Tatton, Kathryn Graham, Rod TeWhatu, Gary Rose, Thomas Gilchrist.

Social Services

Robyn (Social Services Manager)
Robyn is our Centre Manager and has been working for Manchester House for 15 years. She has a strong, enduring passion and commitment to assist family/whanau in need and feels privileged to live in such a generous, giving community. Robyn’s work is well known and appreciated in the community; In 2011 she received the Member of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), and in 2015 she received both the NZ Regional Hero and National Hero awards. Robyn’s role at Manchester House is varied including on demand family/whanau support work, foodbank coordination and facilitating the Methamphetamine Support Programme. She is an excellent baker and makes a formidable pavlova.

Sarah (Social Worker)
Sarah is a registered Social Worker who has 9 years experience in care and protection, youth justice and emergency accommodation. She is also a trained TRIPLE P facilitator and offers TRIPLE P in both individual and group settings. She works with children and young people as well as parents. An area of interest is working with parents and children who have special needs and helping to navigate the health and education system. She is a great advocate and will journey alongside clients. As a mother of 4 children she understands that parenting comes with a lot of challenges and is here to listen and offer advice to anyone that comes through the door at Manchester House.
She looks forward to working and meeting with you.

Monica (Social Worker)
Monica graduated from Massey University with a Masters (applied) in Social Work in November 2020 and brings to her role at Manchester House over 20 years experience in the fields of social work, education and community cohesion. Monica is passionate about what matters to her clients and walking alongside them in their journey and experience at Manchester House. Her practice is strengths based, client centric and thoroughly wholehearted. Monica has lived in New Zealand for the last 11 years with her husband and three daughters, has an affinity for the ocean as a space of balance, and a sincere appreciation for coffee.

Karl (Counsellor)

Karl enjoys forming trusted working relationships across cultural boundaries, building rapport with people of all ages and helping marginalised members of the community find their voice and express their needs. Karl is competent in person-centered counselling, narrative therapy and cognitive and behavioral approaches. He mainly uses acceptance and commitment therapy. He considers it a privilege to help clients uncover, recognise, cultivate and celebrate their abilities to face daily challenges.

Sue (Financial Mentor)
Sue has a strong background in banking and a degree in Business Studies. She has been with Manchester House for almost four years and enjoys seeing the change in people as they achieve their financial goals and obtain financial freedom

Manchester House Op Shop

Megan (Manager, Manchester House Op Shop)
Megan loves all things second hand and she is deeply passionate about showing people how to do a lot with a little! Joining the Manchester House Opshop in September 2019 was a perfect fit for her as she values what Manchester House Opshop means to the community and how it benefits those in need as well as the avid Opshoppers out there. Megan feels lucky to work with a wonderful group of volunteers who make her job so much easier. She warmly invites the community to visit and enjoy the Opshop on 96 Fergusson Street.

ASAP - After School Activity Programme

Vicki (Manager, ASAP)
Vicki has been with ASAP since 2004. She originally started as a supervisor/administrator and has been manager of ASAP since 2011. Vicki has a real passion for growing children into well rounded socially confident members of the community and works towards this goal by ensuring the children in our care are valued and included.

Senior Hub

Sandra (Manager, Senior Hub)

Sandy has a background in horticulture/landscaping and has worked as an interior consultant. She has always worked in Feilding. She has spent 9 years at the Manchester House Senior Hub, has a passion for people and is committed to improving the wellbeing of older New Zealanders right here in Feilding. Her hobbies include painting, poetry, knitting, sewing, gardening and her dog Bozz.

Lee (Programme Facilitator)

Lee is the Programme Facilitator at the Senior hub. She comes from a background is in sport and exercise, which has enabled her to expand and grow Manchester Houses exercise programmes. She describes herself as a people person and thoroughly enjoys getting to know and meet the many amazing people who come through the Senior Hub doors