Winton House Centre

Run by the community...

...for the community

Where People Matter

Enabling people to come together

The Winton House Centre Team

Meet the people who look after the Winton House Centre.

The Winton House Centre is run by a dedicated team of staff, trustees and volunteers. See below to find out more about them.

We are always looking for more volunteers, if you want to join our fantastic team visit our Volunteering page for more information.

Staff

Winton House Staff have extensive experience of the Voluntary/Charity Sector. They have the knowledge and know how to provide support to the local community groups. Volunteers in the Winton Community Café have current Food & Hygiene and Safety Level 2.

Sarah Moss

Centre Manager

My career began in retail, working and training with the John Lewis Partnership. Whilst bringing up my two daughters, I undertook accounting and administration work. For the past 25 years I have worked in the Voluntary Sector managing community projects and buildings, including a role with Hampshire County Council supporting Voluntary Sector Organisations. I am delighted to be working now in the heart of my community, in Petersfield at Winton House Centre.

Alice Hithersay

Finance Administrator

My career began as a sales assistant at B&Q where, after four years gaining all sorts of skills which would serve me well in years to come, I decided to explore other sectors. I spent the following 30 years working in accounts and administration for various companies. Recently, I had been considering how to achieve a better work/life balance and wanted to discover what goes on in my local area with a view to contribute in some way. I have been lucky enough to find the ideal position here at Winton House Centre, utilising my existing knowledge and experience and helping to support the Petersfield Community.

Pippa Charlier

Administrator, Community Café

My early career was in London as a PA in the media world working in publishing and radio. Originally from Kent, I moved to Hampshire 28 years ago and am happily settled in Liss, living with my 3 children. When my youngest started school I began working for the charity Home-Start and have very much enjoyed my last 10 years working in various admin roles, in the latter years I was working from home. I am now delighted to be joining Winton House Centre and be more involved in my local community.

Trustees

We have a professional, dedicated and hands on team of trustees that oversee and direct the business side of the Winton House Centre, but who also get involved in the day to day activities of the charity. This might be through doing volunteer shifts, helping out at fundraising events, and even stripping wallpaper! Everyone’s contribution is valued.

Robert Venables

President (non-trustee)

A retired solicitor with wide experience of charity law and administration, I have lived in the area since 1955. I joined the Charity Commission in 1989 a Commissioner and Head of Legal.

I was a member of the Petersfield Urban District Council from 1968-71, and served on the Standards Committee of EHDC while it existed.

I have been involved in helping to register a number of local charities and have been actively involved at times in the Red Cross, Citizens Advice and particularly the Scout movement in the Petersfield District in various capacities since about 1967. I proposed and arranged the merger of the Petersfield Voluntary Centre and the Winton House Trust to form the Winton House Centre and in its administration 2009 – 2021. I volunteer in the office and the Pop In Tea Room.

Richard Phillips

Chairman

After starting my career as an academic research chemist in the UK, I moved into an international career working variously for Voluntary Service Overseas, HM Diplomatic Service and the British Council, from which I retired in 2010.

Since retiring, I have worked as a consultant with various UN agencies, international charities and NGOs and have also rekindled a lifelong passion for Greece, pursuing research in ancient Greek history and classical archaeology with the University of London. Originally from Brighton, I moved to Petersfield in 2006 although my connections with the town go back to the early 1990s when my children were at school in the town. I have long admired the work of the Winton House Centre, which I believe makes an exceedingly important contribution to the local community, and I was delighted to join the Board of Trustees in 2023.

Mike Waddington

Vice Chair

I am a communications professional, with a law degree from Manchester University, and worked in the NHS for the last 20 years. My job was to tell the story of the people – staff, patients and carers. Public involvement and listening to people was then, and is now, what I am most interested in.

I volunteer in the Winton Cafe and there’s nothing quite like the hub-hub of the conversation around the tables to hear a community. I am married to Jane, a teacher of French and English, also an actor; we have no children but plenty of niblings. I am writing my novel. Lovely to live in the centre of Petersfield and work at its heart.

Mel Hughes

Treasurer

I spent 35 years as a chartered management accountant working for NHS finance. I worked in various organisations and hospitals across the south east. This gave me experience in budgeting and making the most of scarce resources, but also of how to get along with people from all walks of life.

I have lived in Petersfield for 10 years and am treasurer of the Petersfield Gardeners Club. I was pleased to be invited to be a part of the Winton House story and hope I can make a useful contribution to its future.

Sue Crawford

Trustee

I have spent my working life involved with children and adults with a variety of special needs and in that time have worked for various statutory and voluntary organisations. Originally from London, I have lived in Petersfield for over 40 years and have become involved with several community based activities in that time. I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with some new colleagues and interests in the community through being connected to Winton House Centre.

Linda Hathaway

Trustee

Following a career in the law, I started volunteering with Citizens Advice as an adviser in Petersfield. After seven years I felt it was time for a change and have been volunteering on the Information Desk at Winton House Centre since 2019.

I am very impressed with how every volunteer or member of the public is made to feel welcome and valued here, and the caring way each query is dealt with. I want to ensure that the Winton House Centre flourishes and continues to be a wonderful resource for the local community. I am sure my hands-on experience and insight into the running of the Centre will help me to be a useful and constructive trustee.

John Wilderspin

Trustee

I’ve been involved with public service throughout my career, in a variety of leadership roles with the NHS as well as Chair, Trustee and Governor roles with local and national charities.

I now work as a leadership coach and facilitator, and volunteer with local charities. I’m married with a grown-up daughter who was educated at The Petersfield school and I’ve lived in Petersfield for twenty years. During my working life I commuted to various locations and didn’t have the time to get involved with my local community; this is my opportunity to give something back.