About us

Brief History

Cllr Ken Norchi opens our new centre at st John’s as Mayor of Tamworth in 2017

Heart of Tamworth began in 2012 in the parish of St John the Baptist, Tamworth when the Church community recognised that it had two vital resources - some great (but under-used) facilities and volunteers who were both keen and able. More importantly, parishioners recognised there was great need and that need was growing because other services and facilities being closed due to cutbacks.

One of the Parish’s first decisions was to make their struggling social club available to Tamworth Amateur Boxing who have done some wonderful community work since then, especially in educating young people who struggle in school.

The former priest’s house was taken on by Homestart as a home for 6 mothers and babies who are supported by Homestart staff and volunteers.

Most of Heart of Tamworth’s own services began at Sacred Heart in Glascote Heath until we developed another facility at St John’s. We now lease both centres from the Church. We registered as a Charity in 2014 so that we could be seen as a project that was working for the whole community and to strengthen our work by giving it the structure and accountability that is demanded of all registered charities. Our work has continued to expand.

Our aim is to help all members of the community, but especially the most disadvantaged, to realise their own strengths and to build a stronger and closer community.

This website shows where this has led us.

The Future

Our project has grown with over 200 people working as volunteers and over 2,000 accessing our services each year. There is scope for improvement, as a recent independent audit of HOT suggested.

The report advised us that these improvements will come about by employing a full time community worker and by creating a new hub at the Sacred Heart Community centre as a base for our volunteers and a place where service users can be welcomed, mix with others and have easier access to Heart of Tamworth facilitators. We have raised money for nearly 50% of the capital works and are applying for the remaining 50% and the community worker post. We hope to have images of the new design in early 2018. We are hoping this will be another good year for our community and our work.

Our Team

Sheree Peaple

(Chairperson – until recently lectured in law and is currently a Borough Councillor) Sheree leads all meetings, is heading up work on developing the organisation, establishing links with other organisations and does hands on work with cooking for marginalised people and fundraising events.

Rob Breeden

(Vice Chair - formerly worked for the Inland Revenue), does much of the charity administration, manages a number of volunteers, co-ordinates the Starfish project and HOT’s participation in a winter night shelter, as well as volunteer visits to housebound. He acts as a volunteer in these projects too.

Paul Mehew

(Treasurer) is a qualified and chartered accountant who brings financial rigour to all our financial transactions, helping prepare accounts for our annual report and the Charity Commission. He is married with two young daughters and lives in Tamworth.

Jo Watters

(Trustee / Father Hudson’s Care) Jo has been a Trustee since January 2016 and represents Father Hudson’s Care (a foundation partner) as their Head of Community Projects. She has a degree in Politics and Sociology and has had a career in the voluntary sector for over 12 years – working for both local and national charities, her roles have included Birmingham Carers Centre Manager and Head of Region at the RNID. Outside of work Jo enjoys keeping fit, in particular running and taking part in local races.

Laura Howard

(Trustee) has a background in finance. Laura’s broad range of experience living in the local community and her business connections have helped us explore new projects and recruit volunteers and help-in-kind from local businesses.

Lee Bates

(Trustee) was formerly the Mayor of Tamworth. He currently runs Community Together, a Tamworth based community project that works in partnership with HOT. Lee has managed this project for 7 years now and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as a Trustee.

Fr Michael White

(Parish Priest – background in youth and community work and has established community projects elsewhere) is involved in various aspects of management, volunteer recruitment, developing vision, partnerships etc and does ‘hands on’ work with people who are homeless or marginalised.

Wendy Quinn

(Trustee and administrator – qualified psycho-therapist) was key to establishing and running two projects - bereavement support and dementia care and continues to support them, especially through co-ordinating volunteers. Wendy also does work on bookings for St John’s centre and finance.

Dr Simon Peaple

(Trustee – Manages the Winter Night Shelter and Breakfast Club) is a retired History teacher and an active Borough Councillor. He has a great record of commitment to the local community in both his political work and through volunteering.

Barbara Kelly

(Trustee) has been actively involved in Justice and peace and community engagement in Tamworth for many years, and she works regularly with the food bank collection team.. Barbara’s background in business brings provides the board with an experienced commercial skill set.

Nora Cox

(Centre Warden) is booking secretary for all groups and activities at Sacred Heart Community centre. Nora is the key contact, the first person groups often see each day. She also offers hospitality and support to visitors and to any people who are homeless on site.

Frances Tansey

(Secretary) has lived in Tamworth most of her life. She is actively engaged in all sorts of community activities, is a trained counsellor, helps with fundraising and has a business background. Frances brings this experience and her minute taking skills to our charity.