Julia Street – General Manager

I joined VIH on 28th March 2022.

I have lived and worked in Teignmouth for 16 years, 12 years in the voluntary sector running a local community centre, Alice Cross Centre, providing services for the over 50’s. I have a background in Sales & Marketing and general management, in a number of industry sectors, both in the UK and abroad. More recently working for a housing association, managing a leasehold retirement complex for the over 55’s.

I have always believed in collaborative working and through my Coastal Engagement group role, I have been very involved in scoping how the voluntary sector would work more closely with GP Surgeries and NHS services, providing connected health and wellbeing support in our community and the design for the new health and wellbeing centre, to be built next year.

I am passionate about connecting people to services, and the community, and empowering everyone to achieve their goals, so the chance to work for VIH was an excellent opportunity.

Jeannette Osmond – Team Leader

Jeannette joined Volunteering in Health in 2014 as our first Hospital Link Worker before becoming the first Wellbeing Co-ordinator in 2016.
In 2018 she became the first Wellbeing Co-ordinator in the area to train to facilitate the Helping Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) course, which has been a great success and is now rolling out across
Devon.
In 2018 she also took on the added responsibility of becoming the Team Leader for all client-facing staff.
Jeannette enjoys kayaking and spending time with her three teenage children.

Nicki Engert – Office Manager and Finance Officer

I moved to Devon in September 2013, whilst I was still working as an IT Project Manager for a large international software company.  Following a decision to change my career path, I left this role in March 2018 and embarked on retraining in accountancy.  I joined VIH in August 2018 as the Accounts Administrator, working part-time for the charity as I completed my AAT Bookkeeping qualifications.  I completed my qualifications in June 2019 and shortly afterwards I was promoted to the role of Finance Manager, overseeing all aspects of the financial side of running the charity.

In June 2021, I took on the additional responsibilities of the Office Manager role which now also gives me the opportunity to utilize the experience I bring from my former career as a Project Manager to ensure the smooth day-to-day organization and running of the office.

Having a dual role can be challenging at times, but coming from a large corporate background, I find working for a small local charity is really rewarding.  Every single member of our team is valued and everyone is appreciated for the varied skills and experience they bring to their roles.

Julie Dingley – Support Worker

Julie has been volunteering for Volunteering in Health since the very beginning when she joined as a transport desk administrator.
All those years on the transport desk mean that she knows the service and our clients and drivers inside out!
Julie took on paid employment in 2015, setting up a Telephone Befriending Service, where she and a small team of volunteers call lonely people each week for a chat.
More recently she has now taken on more responsibility by taking on clients who have completed the HOPE course and supporting them over the phone with wellbeing calls.
Having benefitted from the HOPE course herself she can co-facilitate.
As someone who has experienced our services from all angles, Julie does a lot of public speaking for the charity, sharing her story as a way of illustrating what we do.
You can find Julie in the sea, she loves sea swimming and swimming with a group called Healthscape.

Yasi Jeffrey – Wellbeing Coordinator

I joined ViH in May 2024. I am an experienced teacher, latterly specialising in SEN, and currently training to be a counsellor. I left teaching to join the Alzheimer’s Society providing support and signposting to those newly diagnosed with Dementia. I have had a lot experience in sourcing and securing funding for SEN through qualitative outcome data collection.

I have a passion for connecting with people.

Tracey Aldridge -Dawlish Hospital Support Worker

I joined VIH in April 2024, I work in Dawlish Hospital. I see every patient on the ward, have a conversation with them around their discharge home. Recently I have provided clothing for those who have very little, I have the VIH “Boutique” in my little office, I have Men’s and Ladies clothing, this has been donated by members of the public/patients from the ward. I also have a larder which is mainly dried goods (biscuits, tea, coffee, tinned goods).

My background is predominately community based, I have worked with Community Nurses, supported End of Life patients, cared for people with dementia and their families – dementia is my passion, aside from my paid role with VIH I currently run 2 groups for younger people with a diagnosis of young onset dementia and their carers.

I really enjoy my job role, I like meeting new people and being able to help them once they are discharged from hospital.

I have 2 grown up daughters and 2 gorgeous grandchildren, I also have an elderly border collie and 2 cats!!

Kayleigh Aldridge – Personal Assistant/ Enabler

I joined ViH in June 2024. I have worked in Health and Social care for the last 10 years performing a variety of different roles. My work as an enabler means I can help people with more complicated tasks, managing their paperwork, organising appointments, and helping them to access further support. I also get to work with people on what they would like to do to improve their quality of life and can take people out on trips or to attend activities to meet new people.

I have a young daughter that has just started school and she keeps me very busy

Annabelle Murray – Volunteer Coordinator

I started with ViH in November 2022 as the Volunteer Coordinator.  I come from Shaldon but have lived away for 25 years, working in the Charity Sector in Northern Ireland and Kenya specifically around Disability. 

I passionately believe in collaborative working across organisations, people groups and locations – getting people together to make an impact on a community. 

 Connecting with the ViH volunteers I have witnessed the genuine impact they are making on vulnerable adults in the Teignbridge area, and it is a privilege to be part of this Charity. 

When I am not doing this, I am a mother of 3 and I kayak, sea swim and generally I am mad about the sea! 

Anna Lavis – Services Co-Ordinator

I joined ViH in March 2024. I am responsible for managing the Home Help and Transport Services. I really enjoy working in the Charity Sector and have worked in several other charities locally. I am really keen to bring my skills and experience to ViH to help them make a difference in the community.

Nicola Cole – Home Helper

Gabby Maurice – Home Helper

Sharon Holmes – Home Helper