Board of Trustees

Chair of Trustees

Nicola became a Trustee at Sheffield Women’s Aid in January 2017, now serving as vice chair. She's a Matrimonial Solicitor with a decade of experience at Norrie, Waite and Slater, specializing in helping domestic abuse survivors. Her commitment to support survivors stems from her legal work, driving her to ensure accessible and secure assistance. Nicola values Sheffield Women’s Aid's exceptional support and is proud to be part of such a remarkable organization.

Treasurer

Jacqueline previously served as Treasurer for Equation Charity, where she actively contributed to governance and presented financial accounts to the Board. She’s a qualified accountant MAAT ACCA with 40 years of diverse financial experience, ranging from grassroots accounting to executive roles. Jacqueline has spent 20 years in private construction, including 12 years as a Financial Director, followed by 20 years in the public sector, focusing on healthcare and clinical trials research financial project management. She is experienced in providing budget training to empower budget holders and am deeply committed to humanitarian values and equal opportunities. Her personal connection to domestic and sexual abuse issues has drawn her to SWA.

Trustee

Maureen has been a dedicated member of Sheffield Women’s Aid since the late-70s, bringing invaluable organizational memory to the team. With a background in management and training roles focused on domestic and sexual abuse, including Violence Against Women & Girls, she served as the Sheffield Co-ordinator for strategic efforts against domestic abuse for 15 years starting from 1995. Maureen's impactful career continued until 2022 when she retired as the Director of Vida Sheffield (formerly Sheffield Domestic Abuse Forum), a role where she pioneered trauma-focused therapy services for women affected by abuse. Even in retirement, Maureen remains a passionate feminist activist, grandmother, and singer, persistently campaigning on issues related to Violence Against Women and Girls.

Trustee

Clare became a Trustee in March 2022. She is a solicitor specialising in employment and discrimination cases. She currently works for a charity helping people who would not otherwise be able to afford legal advice about problems at work. Clare sees the real benefits that listening to and empowering people can have every day. She wanted to support and become involved with SWA in the knowledge that as well as providing the practical necessities of safe accommodation it focuses on delivering that listening and empowering support for families escaping violent and controlling situations

Trustee

Sarah joined Sheffield Women’s Aid at the end of 2023, with almost a decades worth of experience in the refuge and poverty sector through positions held in the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Sarah is also the head of business development at the Refuge Council, focusing on programme modelling, statutory commissioner engagement and statutory fundraising.

Trustee

Nicola became a Trustee in October 2023. She has a wealth of experience from her 20 year career history working in the public and charity sector, with a focus on social inclusion and creating opportunities for people facing multiple disadvantage.

In her role as Director Support Manager at DWP, Nicola is responsible for managing the office of the Director for Health & Disabilities, leading a team of support managers to ensure the work of the function is delivered and the priorities of the business plan are achieved.

In her previous role as Head of Business Development at South Yorkshire Housing Association, Nicola was responsible for identifying and securing investment to deliver health, social care, employment and wellbeing services across South Yorkshire.

In her spare time Nicola enjoys cooking, walking with her family in the peaks and travel.

Nicola is inspired by the work of Sheffield Women’s Aid. She’s excited to bring her knowledge and experience of income generation and strategy development to the organisation to support its future development and further its impact.