Staff

Our main offices are based at the Truro Sight Centre, where all staff can be contacted, although several of us work throughout Cornwall in various locations.

Martin Pallett

Martin is the Chief Executive of Cornwall Blind Association and has been working with the charity for six years. He was initially General Manager and as Chief Executive has overseen a major programme of change and development.

Previously Martin spent nearly twenty years in a senior NHS management career in various parts of the Country. He was born in the West Midlands and following his graduation from Leeds University, he undertook a post-graduate management qualification in the West Midlands. Martin is married, lives in Carlyon Bay near St Austell and is a very keen gardener in his spare time.

Pat Fawcett

Pat Fawcett is the Volunteering and Local Services Manager. Her role involves overseeing and managing the operation of new local services in Caradon, North Cornwall and Penwith.

Secondly Pat leads in developing volunteering across the Charity. She interviews potential volunteers and aims to find the most suitable way for them to use their skills and time.

Having worked in the voluntary sector both as a volunteer and paid worker with children, young and elderly people, she is more than aware of how important the role of a volunteer is.

Having undertaken two Open University courses in History and Social Science, and later continuing her education as a mature student, she finally attained a BSc in Social Science at Plymouth University. She is able to bring both her practical and academic skills to this challenging role.

Jackie Southon

Jackie Southon is the Fundraising Manager. With 20 years management experience in sales and marketing in the commercial sector, she entered the Charity sector eight years ago and moved to Cornwall in 2006 to be closer to her family.

Jackie joined Cornwall Blind Association in January 2008 to manage and develop the fundraising strategy. She is an experienced and successful fundraiser having managed fundraising activities in both small and large charities, including Oxfam, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change.

Charles Whitehead

Charles Whitehead is a Chartered Company Secretary and is Treasurer of Cornwall Blind Association. He is responsible for the finances of the charity and reports to the Trustee Directors. He also oversees the investment portfolio and is responsible for the insurance of the Association.

After serving in the forces for over 20 years he left at the end of a term as a staff officer in the Ministry of Defence. He then worked for one British and two American multinational IT companies. He lives in Blisland with his wife Anne, who paints as the artist Lizzie Snell. He is Treasurer and fund raiser for the PCC in Blisland, is a spectator of rugby and cricket, a writer and a collector of fountain pens.

Sarah Beedell

Sarah Beedell is the receptionist at Cornwall Blind Association. Sarah is responsible for making visitors to the Sight Centre welcome and assisting with general enquiries and demonstrating the equipment on display. Her role includes organizing and training the volunteers that help on the reception desk, arranging transport for medical appointments and clubs, and coordinating the Talking Book service with the R.N.I.B.

Sarah has a great deal of experience having previously worked at Buckinghamshire Association for the Blind in a similar role before moving to Cornwall in April 2007.

Ruth Broad

Ruth Broad is the Benefits Advisor and started working at Cornwall Blind Association in June 2008. The main part of her job is to give advice to visually impaired clients and if necessary visit them at home to complete benefit applications. She also raises awareness of the benefits available by attending clubs around the county, so that she can introduce herself and the service.

Previously Ruth worked for the Department of Work and Pensions for 21 years processing Short Term Benefits and has acquired a wide knowledge of the benefits system.

Catherine Collier

Catherine Collier is the part-time Trusts and Grants fundraiser, responsible for making applications, raising vital funds, and developing CBA's relationships with grant makers and charitable trusts. Catherine works across the organisation to ensure our work is monitored and evaluated, and the impact our of services is communicated to our funders.

Catherine has worked in the charity sector for 12 years, and has 8 years fundraising experience. In her spare time Catherine studied with Open University to gain her Certificate in Fundraising Management.

Debbie Henshaw

Debbie Henshaw is the Community and Events Fundraiser.
Her role is multifaceted engaging with the community whether you are an individual who wants to get involved with the Be Bright For Sight themes of the For Sight Appeal or through groups, clubs, societies, educational establishments and companies Debbie is keen to hear from you.

Debbie works with volunteers to ensure our presence at local and regional shows, organizing events and challenges and participation in national events such as marathons. If you have a dream for a fundraising event Debbie will be pleased to hear from you.

Debbie's career spans over 20 years, 10 of those were spent working in the local Community for Cornwall County Council's Social Services Dept, three years working for local community newspapers based in Launceston and Wadebridge and seven years in Cornwall as a Political Agent for a mainstream political party managing their membership scheme, Patrons club, fundraising activities and all political campaigning activities

Cornish born, Debbie attended Wadebridge Comprehensive School and later as a mature student obtained a BSc Hons. degree in Social Policy and Politics from Plymouth University. She also studied with the Chartered Institute of Marketing attaining the Advanced Certificate.

When not working Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and researching genealogy. In fact an ancestor, Thomas Henshaw bequeathed a £20,000 legacy in 1837 which set-up Henshaw's Society for the Blind. So Debbie is following in her ancestors footsteps and has a real passion for supporting the work of the charity.

Debbie would like to invite anyone to join her in fundraising for the Charity she looks forward to hearing from you soon! 01872 266709 dhenshaw@cornwallblind.org.uk

Kerry Keast

Kerry is the Chief Executive's Personal Assistant. Kerry began her career with the Association as Receptionist before becoming a PA in 2004. As well as supporting the Chief Executive across all his duties, Kerry also has a remit for organising client holidays each year (one for young people and the other for older people). She also arranges smaller events such as the annual Christmas Dance.

As part of her role Kerry administers the Association's counselling scheme and advocacy service and liaises with outside organisations with regard to the provision of Sight Loss Awareness training.

Rod Keat

Rod Keat is the Access Technology Officer here at the Cornwall Blind Association. He is responsible for the running of this vital service that provides Assistive Technology support to visually impaired people throughout Cornwall.

From Assessments to installations and from training to the purchasing of equipment the service is comprehensive in its delivery.

Rod has over 10 years experience in working with the visually impaired. He is a qualified teacher and spent six of these years teaching Information Technology and Braille to Visually Impaired adults at RNIB Manor House.

He has been proactive in his own self-development, including further education to graduate level on a part time basis. This has further enhanced his expertise in this specialist field and being visually impaired himself, he has a particular empathy and understanding of the needs of the client group.

His post at Cornwall Blind Association started in December 2007 and Rod hopes he is able to bring his experience, skills and professionalism to what is a growing service and one that is proving extremely beneficial to the visually impaired community here in Cornwall.

Christine Luff

Chris Luff is the Project Leader for the Talking Support. She joined the charity in 2005 and set up this new service for our visually impaired Cornish community.

Chris moved to Cornwall in 2003, from Berkshire, and had planned to retire. The majority of her working career had been spent in the charity fundraising world. She was London Area Manager for Macmillan Cancer Relief for eight years and then spent a further three years as Head of Fundraising and Communications at Thrive, the Berkshire based gardening charity for people with disabilities.

However, Cornwall Blind Association approached her and she became increasingly involved over the next year. When Talking Support was being discussed, she thought that perhaps she had some experience to offer.

She says, "For me, it has been a learning experience, and, as it has developed and grown, both the service and the visually impaired constituency are something to which I am wholly committed."

Linda Petzing

Linda Petzing is the Penwith co-ordinator. She joined the association in June 2009, after a 30-year career in banking.

Five years ago, fulfilment of a childhood ambition to trek in Peru motivated her recovery from a long illness, revealing a latent passion for charity work. "The experience was incredible. Life changing, emotionally and physically challenging." She has worked with other local charities on a voluntary basis in various roles since that time.

"I love the broad people-centred, outreach aspect of my role in Penwith. Helping all visually impaired access many of the other charity's services and developing opportunities to engage in social activities. Building relationships with local hospitals, health professionals and the wider community is another important facet of my job".

In her spare time, Linda is studying for a Counselling Qualification at Truro College. A lifelong cyclist, she enjoys music, photography and is an ardent opera fan!

Julie Pomeroy

Julie Pomery is the Low Vision co-ordinator for Cornwall Blind Association. She has worked for the association for eight years.
It is her responsibility to ensure the smooth running of the Low Vision Department.
She undertakes home visits to clients across the county and is at present exploring feasible ways to decentralise the Low Vision service by setting up Assessment Clinics at Truro, Penzance, St Austell, Penryn and Wadebridge.

She is also involved with working with other agencies and departments and represents the Low Vision department at various meetings where she looks at suitable ways to improve and develop our services.

Margaret Ross-Munro

Margaret Ross-Munro is the Hospital Information Desk Coordinator at Treliske Hospital's Ophthalmology Department. She is able to offer initial advice to people attending eye clinics on equipment and services available to them. Her role also involves displaying leaflets and booklets about Cornwall Blind Association services along with copies of Outlook magazine and membership forms.

Margaret joined Cornwall Blind Association as a volunteer. She then became a befriender and carried out sighted guiding for a gentleman attending a seminar and assisted at the Truro Sight Centre in the Low Vision department.

Alison Sullivan

Alison Sullivan is the North Cornwall Co-ordinator and joined the Cornwall Blind Association in the Spring of 2008. She oversees the Resource Desks in Bodmin, Bude and Launceston. The resource desks are there to give advice and support to clients and also to families and carers.

She hopes to increase awareness of sight related problems to the general public and see where the services of the Cornwall Blind Association can be of benefit to the visually impaired in her community.

Alison strives to be available at the Resource Desks but she is helped by a valuable team of volunteers, who man the desks when she needs to be elsewhere.

Alison can be contacted on her mobile on 07973858609 or a message can be left for her at the Truro Sight Centre.

Lynda Thomas

Lynda Thomas is the Low Vision Administrator and has worked at Cornwall Blind Association since October 2004. Her role includes running the administrative aspects of the Low Vision Service by booking appointments for the various clinics held around the county and dealing with low vision related enquiries.

Lynda started as receptionist but six months later became Low Vision Administrator. She is normally the first point of contact for clients using the Low Vision Service.

Ann Mee

Ann Mee obtained her diploma in humanistic therapeutic counselling in 1999; she has worked for CBA for the past three years. She also holds a position within Brook Cornwall, a counselling service in the field of sexual health for young people. In addition, she is due to begin working for the NHS, counselling in the area where her experience lies.

Previous to this, she spent five years working in the area of mental health, supporting and improving the lives of those affected.

In her spare time she loves spending time with her family and playing golf.

Terrie Henderson

Terrie Henderson is a Counsellor with the CBA. She has worked with them since 1996 starting as an Admin Assistant. She was then asked to train as a Counsellor having already graduated from Leeds University witha degree in Psychology. At that time there was no counselling available throught the CBA. She completed an Intermediate Certificate in Counselling and then continued to undertake a 4 year clinical training in TA ( Transactional Analysis) Psychotherapy.

Terrie now has over 13 years experience with the CBA, 12 years of which she has been a Counsellor with them.

As her work is part time on a referral basis she also works with other organisations. She is a full time Counsellor with The Freshfield Service, working with people who use drugs and a part time Counselling Manager with Brook Cornwall, who offer a Sexual Health service to young people.