In recent years JHC has professionalised its administration to keep pace with the times and its evolving charitable remit.
Our staff team and trustees undertake regular professional development in topics such as effective governance and liability management. This ensures we have the right skills and knowledge in place to operate confidently and remain relevant, and to future-proof the charity too.
As well as contributing specific skills and experience, our team is always prepared to go that ‘extra mile’, helping JHC to be far greater than the sum of its parts. This was particularly relevant during 2020 when it helped us to respond deftly to the challenges of the global pandemic.
Jill Hayden – Charity Manager
Jill’s winning mix of business and people skills, gained from a commercial background in retailing, underpins the charity’s stability today. Her role is pivotal in connecting the team and Trustees whilst engaging regularly with clients and external stakeholders.
Under Jill’s leadership the charity continues to thrive and remain relevant, including the successful development of John Huntingdon Centre in 2016. Since then, this purpose-designed HQ has enabled JHC to better support a number of key stakeholders to provide a programme of specialist services to local people.
Anticipating national changes to the Social Services’ system, Jill recently created two Support Worker posts. These have proven invaluable for ensuring JHC can respond effectively to people’s widening range of issues around benefits and support.
The charity has also added more properties to its almshouse portfolio, and has more plans under consideration.
Trudy Carder – Office Manager
Trudy has worked for JHC since 1996. As Office Manager, she provides office facilities and IT support, and liaises regularly across colleague, trustee, client and stakeholder networks. Trudy also maintains the charity’s website as well as being its first point of contact for the general public.
Corinne Hammond – Family Support Worker
“JHC works with local schools and partners, often over several months, to give children and families specialist support.”
Corinne provides children and their families with flexible, confidential support and help with accessing other agencies, either 1:1 at the John Huntingdon Centre, in school or at a venue that’s more convenient for the client.
Sensitive to each family’s unique circumstances, she has almost 40 years’ experience of working with children who have struggled to attend school or socialise or who have experienced traumatic events.
A qualified Nursery Nurse (NNEB), Children and Family worker and Domestic Abuse worker, Corinne assesses, safety plans and works independently with children and families. When required, she will also signpost or help access appropriate third-party services to meet a family’s needs.
Amanda Smith – Support Service Co-ordinator
Amanda joined the team in January 2024.
Amanda has worked for CHS Housing Association within its Community Investment team. She started off at CHS teaching information technology to groups and also on a 1:1 basis in client’s homes. Also running a beginners’ information technology evening course at Impington Village College for the over 50’s alongside her full time job.
For the last 6 years with CHS, Amanda has coached clients who needed support with topics such as money management, wellbeing, getting online and employability. She also worked with and supported young homeless clients aged 18-25 living in supported housing and was a money guider on a cost of living project that helped tenants who were struggling financially.
Last year Amanda completed a leadership and management course.
Kay Deering – Administrator
“JHC works proactively to support people in need who live or work in Sawston and its neighbouring villages.”
Kay has been part of our team since 2000. Based front of house alongside Trudy, she always ensures visitors to the John Huntingdon Centre are met with a warm, supportive welcome.
She also undertakes dedicated administrative roles for our Support service and researches communications’ topics and opportunities. This includes co-ordinating a regular newsletter and interpreting data to create reports for the Charity Manager and Board of Trustees.
Debra Darlow – Advice & Benefits Support Worker
Debra joined JHC in March 2025 as an Advice and Benefits Support Worker. She has worked in housing management in the Cambridge area for nearly 40 years and has a wealth of experience in managing social housing and advising on housing related and welfare benefit issues. She is now looking forward to working with the team at JHC and supporting the local community in Sawston and the surrounding areas.