Meet the team

Staff

Jo Stokes

Chief Executive Officer

Jo has over 20 years’ experience of working in the not-for-profit sector. Before joining LinkAge, Jo was Director for Individual Services at The Care Forum, managing services focused on supporting local vulnerable people.

In her spare time Jo enjoys growing fruit and veg on her allotment and spending time with her two bumptious boys.

07738 104 100

joannestokes@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Kate Constance

Fundraising Manager

Kate previously worked at Cancer Research UK for four years as the Local Fundraising Manager. Whilst working there she supported a variety of community groups, events and corporates.

In her spare time she enjoys singing in a jazz and blues band, spending time with her two children and popping up as an extra in the background of TV shows.

07841 921 946

kateconstance@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Hannah Somers

Marketing, Communications and Support Officer

Hannah first joined LinkAge over 4 years ago as an Apprentice, before moving into a support role in Marketing and Communications. Hannah has grown and developed within LinkAge and now leads on the Network’s Marketing and Communications.

In her spare time she enjoys keeping active, getting creative in the kitchen and spending time with her family and friends.

0117 353 3042

hannahsomers@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Jenny Pearce

Administrator

Jenny has a broad range of work experience which was gained from working in support, customer service and management roles in a variety of sectors including telecommunications, financial services, the NHS and most recently, education.

When not at work Jenny likes to keep active by playing netball for her local club. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

0117 353 3042

jennypearce@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Sally Crocker

Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement Project Manager

Sally spent a year on the project as an Assistant before becoming Project Manager. Previous to her work at LinkAge, Sally worked in the photographic industry for 3 years before getting involved in volunteering roles abroad and in the UK, as part of her move into the charity sector.

Sally is passionate about road cycling and staying active – especially if this involves being outdoors. Sally also loves to grow her own vegetables and any opportunity to travel abroad.

0117 353 3042

macmillansupport@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Fran Garland

Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement Project Assistant

In her previous roles Fran worked in Care as a Support Worker, Registered Manager and more recently working for Weston College as a QCF Assessor in Care.

In her spare time she loves spending time with her young family and friends, and has 2 little boys who are incredibly cheeky and always like to keep her on her toes.

07594 089 610

frangarland@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Sarah Parkes

Post-Retirement Opportunities (PRO) Events Coordinator

Sarah has a background in arts management, with a particular interest in community and socially-engaged art. Her previous roles have included everything from managing volunteers at an art gallery to coordinating a community singing project.

In her spare time, Sarah loves getting outdoors, exploring new places, doing arty things and learning how to look after the garden she has recently acquired!

07594 090 115

sarahparkes@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Caroline McDonnell

Talking Tables Project Coordinator

Caroline has previously worked in fundraising and events management in the third sector, organising a variety of events such as sponsored walks, Christmas concerts and corporate lunches. Caroline has also worked in education in Bristol and oversees in South America.

In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, cooking and eating food and travelling the world learning about different cultures and societies.

0759 408 9565

carolinemcdonnell@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Tracy Edwards-Brown

Community Development Coordinator - North Bristol

Tracy previously worked within Bristol City Council as a Neighbourhood Officer for the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Wards. For 3 years she delivered Neighbourhood Forums and supported residents in resolving issues that were important to the community they lived in.

When she has spare time, she loves to walk, dabble in textile designs, dance, watch films and be with her family and friends.

07738 104 013

tracyeb@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Magda Kowalik-Malcolm

Community Development Coordinator - South Bristol

Magda in her previous role worked as a Community Development Officer at Bristol City Council. As part of her role she supported local people in developing their own ideas by using an asset based community development approach.

In her spare time, Magda loves to spend time with her family and friends. She is also actively involved in governance at one of her local community centres.

07738 104 101

magdakm@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Wendy Harris

Community Development Coordinator - Central/East Bristol

Wendy has over 30 years’ experience in community development and health, and has worked in regeneration and organisational development. Her experience has been gained in both the public and voluntary sectors, in the UK, Pakistan, Zambia and Liberia.

In her spare time Wendy enjoys the varied arts, music and cultural events Bristol has to offer, and sings in a community choir. She also loves travelling abroad and dancing.

07738 104 097

wendyharris@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Cheryl Martin

Project Officer

Cheryl has over 50 years’ experience in the community and youth work. Most recently she has worked for Walking for Health for over 18 years, supporting older people to develop and run walking groups across Bristol.

Cheryl’s interest include walking, photography, wildlife, holidays home and abroad, and reading.

07530 564 332

cherylmartin@linkagenetwork.org.uk

Trustees

Trevor Jones MBE

Chair of the Board

Trevor has been Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2017. His career has been spent working with voluntary organisations and young people – the last 23 years running local charity Young Bristol.

Since taking an early retirement, Trevor and his wife enjoy taking the opportunity to travel and also spending time with his four grown up children and one grandson.