Older people’s charity WRVS has appointed 11 new national and regional managers that will spearhead its plans to join up its services more effectively and be a better partner to local authorities, the NHS and other organisations. 

This new senior management team, to be in post by January, is the first step of a long term strategy to improve the help WRVS provides to older people and achieve its aim to make Britain a great place to grow old.

“We’ve recruited a really talented team. Together they bring experience from the private, public and third sectors and I know they will be able to quickly get to grips with our ambitious plans to improve life for older people in all the communities where we work,” explained Angela Geer, WRVS director for older people’s services.

The team includes four current WRVS managers and seven people new to WRVS with a broad range of experience including local authorities, other charities, organisations from the private sector focusing on social care and social care policy experts.

At the moment WRVS manages its hospital services, community services, emergency work and large meals on wheels services through different departments. The new structure will mean all its different services in each English region, in Scotland and in Wales will be managed by one integrated team. WRVS will be better able to join-up the support they provide at a local level and develop partnerships with other organisations in each community.

Recruitment of a team of service delivery managers who will help each head of WRVS improve services in their region or nation is taking place at the moment with appointments due to be made by the end of November.

Details of the appointments made to each head of WRVS role for Scotland, Wales and each English region, plus a general manager for UK support services areas follows:

General manager, UK support services 
Frank Garofalo 
Currently Customer Services Director at British Heart Foundation. Ex director of customer services, Euopcar and head of operations for Saga.

Head of WRVS, Scotland
Margaret Paterson 
Currently WRVS head of community development, South and Wales. With WRVS since 2003. Ex Devon County Council head of quality and performance review.

Head of WRVS, Wales 
Judi Rhys 
Currently director of MS Society Cymru, ex director of Diabetes UK Cymru and Open University tutor.

Head of WRVS, North East England
Christine Graham 
Currently WRVS head of community North/Scotland. With WRVS since 1994.

Head of WRVS, North West England
Helen Barry 
Currently Partnership manager at Lancashire County Council, ex. Burnley Action Partnership, ex Housing Manager, London.

Head of WRVS, Yorkshire and the Humber 
Sue Collins 
Currently Principal Policy Manager at Joseph Rowntree Foundation and JRF lead on older people. Social work background.

Head of WRVS, East Midlands 
Linda Jennings 
Social worker. Ex operations manager, Castlecare, and previously head of children’s services for G4S and regional operations director for Sedgemoor.

Head of WRVS, West Midlands 
Sam (Samantha) Ward 
Currently WRVS territory manager group leader. With WRVS since 2000.

Head of WRVS, East of England 
Debbi Fair 
Currently WRVS territory manager group leader. With WRVS since 1998.

Head of WRVS, London and the South East 
John Gerring 
Ex director for healthy communities, Congleton and ex head of support services, Staffordshire County Council.

Head of WRVS, South West England
Steven Hargreaves 
Currently operations manager, Cumbria County Council. Ex projects and performance manager and social worker.

For further information please contact Paul Twocock, WRVS head of media and public affairs on 07714 898625.