Julie Day
Chair of Trustees
“I joined Helping Hands as a Soup Kitchen volunteer back in 2018. I am still part of our Thursday night team and love the insight this gives into the challenges facing homeless and vulnerable people in our community. Professionally, my background is in teaching and fundraising, and I am currently Director of Marketing with Gifted Philanthropy. I am keen to support Helping Hands in telling its story and growing its diverse and dedicated local community. I am also a listening volunteer with the Samaritans.”
Lucy Kelly
Deputy Chair of Trustees
“I started volunteering with the charity back in 2017 and still run their Tuesday night soup kitchen which I absolutely love doing having seen first hand what a difference the charity has made to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Prior to Helping Hands, I also volunteered with Leamington Night Shelter and recognise how important it is for local charities to work together to enhance the support and services on offer. Outside of volunteering, I have a background in PR and communications, and currently work as a Corporate Communications Manager in the public sector.”
Laurence Clark
Trustee
“I’m an active member of my church in Leamington and enjoy getting involved in charity events. I’ve participated in the shoebox appeal, volunteered at a campsite supporting people with special needs, raised money through sporting events like climbing Snowdon in fancy dress, and even joined the big sleepout with Helping Hands! Originally from Oxford, however much of my life has revolved around Leamington and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community through Helping Hands. I hope to use my background in Quantity Surveying to support with future projects for the charity.”
Stewart Bell
Trustee
“I’ve lived in Warwickshire for nearly 40 years, working for a large medical group. I qualified as a chartered accountant many years ago and have spent the whole of my working life in financial roles, until retiring15 years ago. Since then, I’ve been keen to use my financial skills to help local charities and have spent a number of years as a Trustee and Treasurer. I took on the Trustee role at Helping Hands in early 2025 and already appreciate the fantastic work the staff and volunteers do to help those in need to step up in life. As an ex-CFO of a major corporate, I’m really pleased to be bringing my finance skills to the Charity.”
Joanna Deffley
Trustee
“I work as a solicitor and partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau with my day-to-day area of legal expertise focusing on land promotion and development. Outside my professional life, I served 7 years as a local primary school governor and could see the importance of volunteering in the education sector. At Helping Hands, there’s the same opportunity to give back and in my role trustee, I’m keen to help the charity move forward with key strategic priorities during its next phase of growth.”