Alun Davies

Chair

I was born and raised in North Wales. I became totally blind in 1978 and went to “special Schools” in Liverpool and Worcester before studying social administration and social work at university in Birmingham. I practised as a  social worker for 2.5 years before realising my strengths and interests were in campaigning, policy and strategy.

I moved to Bristol in 1991 and spent the next 10 years working for various Disabled people-led organisations. For 15 years I was then a  planning and policy manager in North Somerset Council Adult Social care, and then for five-and-a-half year a engagement manager for Thomas Pocklington Trust supporting engagement groups of people with a visual impairment. I have also been an elected councillor, a NHS non-executive and chaired two national groups working with central government. I have been active in the community and voluntary sector in Bristol for the last 30 years being a trustee or management committee member for 11 different organisations.

I became involved in Home Start because of the statement we use “childhood cannot wait”. Sadly my daughter was born with life-limiting conditions and did not have a childhood. My daughter passed away at 11. Being involved in Home Start gives me the chance to help children and families have the childhood my daughter did not have.

Claire Gazard – interim Treasurer

I joined Home-Start as a Trustee in 2025, bringing over 20 years of experience in Programme and Transformation leadership roles across the financial services sector. My career includes positions at RBS, Brightside Insurance, Hargreaves Lansdown, Embark and Blackfinch.

Young children are our future and deserve the very best start in life. That’s why Home-Start resonated so strongly with me — it’s a purposeful and impactful charity that supports families facing challenging times through both emotional and practical assistance.

In addition to my role at Home-Start, I also volunteer as Company Secretary for Microhive, a fundraising organisation that facilitates charitable donations by rounding employee salaries to the nearest pound through payroll giving — a simple, affordable way for employers and employees to make a difference.
Outside of work, I live in Bristol with my husband, our two grown-up children, and three lively dogs who keep me active on long walks. I’m also a keen open water swimmer, with a long-term dream of one day living by the sea.

Linda Hunter

Trustee – Safeguarding lead trustee

I was brought up on the East Coast of Scotland and later moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE course. I have taught both in the inner city and on the outskirts of Bristol for 35 years. I have been involved with young people and families all my life and am an honorary aunt and big sister as well as an actual aunt and great aunt.  One of my colleagues at my last school was and is involved with Home-Start so I gradually acquired an understanding of and admiration for the work being done by the organization. Once I had retired I decided to help with fundraising by abseiling down the Avon Gorge. After which being a trustee didn’t seem quite so scary! I am now the Safeguarding Trustee – trying to keep myself informed of any developments in that and helping to monitor how we support staff, volunteers and families where there are child protection concerns. 

Cath Potter

Trustee – Marketing

I joined Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire as a trustee in May 2021. I have a background in journalism and have spent most of my working life in multi-media publishing, leading creative teams to produce content which really connects with its audience. As a trustee I’d like to help build awareness and understanding of Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire’s work externally, so we can reach more families and attract new volunteers and funding. I’m also a mum to three boys – almost grown – and believe passionately in the importance of the early years.

Tony Pachon

I was born and raised in the US, and prior to moving to the UK, I had the experience of working in pediatric dentistry. After completing my studies at the University of Nottingham, I moved to Bristol where I had a strong desire to continue my involvement with helping children and families. As a trustee, I look forward to working with Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire to foster a supportive environment, offering care, hope, and transformative change to families facing challenges.

David Leech

I joined HSBSG in June 2024, after a career as a Human Resources professional in both Commercial and Public Sectors. I have lived in Bristol since 1997 where I moved as part of my career with Lloyds Bank, although I have also worked in London, the Home Counties and Wales. During that time, I have had increasing involvement with charity work including disability, youth homelessness and mental health. Knowing, as a parent of three children, what challenges young families face and how important the early years are, I was attracted to the Home Starts mission and hope to be able to play a role in the continued support that the charity provides to the people of Bristol.

Karen Gazzard

Trustee 

I qualified as a social worker a long time ago and enjoyed a long and satisfying career working with children and young people both living in residential care or living with foster carers and also young people leaving care. During my career I worked as a practitioner and a service manager . Alongside ensuring good care of children it was also important that carers were well supported.
My last job was a chairing a fostering panel. It was rewarding being involved in the recruitment of foster carers and seeing them develop their knowledge and skills and enjoy fostering.
I am also mum to two grown up sons and auntie to several nieces and nephews, some are parents themselves.
My life experience has taught me that the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is so true. Parenting deserves good support. I have recently retired and would like to support the work with families and the important work volunteers at Home Start do. Hence my decision to be a trustee.