Meet The Team

Cheryl Rhodes

Director

I have been developing services for children and families for many years and spent the last four years working with Southwark’s children’s centre programme. I love working in this borough and I have developed lots of great relationships with the people that live and work here. Completing my degree in History & Women’s Studies in my late 20s helped form my belief that inequality should be challenged, and everybody should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. I am committed to finding ways to improve the lives of children and their families, so they can thrive.

I have 3 sons who have all flown the nest and a daughter who is the last one at home. I understand how hard it is to raise a family and juggle life’s challenges and I am excited to be working with Home-Start Southwark who are dedicated to helping children get the best start possible in life.

Rebecca Jones

Team Manager

I joined the team in June 2015. After spending twelve years working in children’s and infrastructure charities in London and Surrey, my next “job”, having a baby, was my most challenging, and gave me the insight and empathy to develop our perinatal project, supporting pregnant women and families with young babies. As well as co-ordinating volunteers supporting perinatal families at home, I deliver our Mellow Babies parenting programme. I love ice cream, parks, and hot lazy holidays, and my favourite part of her job is seeing new mums gain in confidence as their relationships develop with their babies.

Klaudia Hajduk

Business Support Coordinator

I joined Home-Start Southwark in September 2021. With my previous experience in cultural non-profit and private health and wellbeing clinic, I was excited to join charitable cause focused on the youngest. As I come from a big family myself, I always wanted to work with and support children and their families. My responsibilities varies from communication, website and social media management, financial and HR management and day to day admin support.

My favourite thing about working with Home-Start is supporting local community. Outside of work, I enjoy crocheting and riding my motorbike, and I love elephants!

Leonardo Greco

Data Management Coordinator

I come from Rome with family roots in Italy, North Africa, Middle East, Bulgaria and Greece! Before joining Home Start I worked at youth charity vInspired where I managed a full time volunteering programme to support young people developing skills and gaining qualification to become work ready. I look after 101 things at Home-Start including our data and reports. With no one dull moment at my desk, delivery plans are my thing in the office, as is theatre outside of it.

Juliet Thompson

Volunteer Coordinator

I joined the team as a Volunteers Coordinator in 2017. I love working with our truly amazing volunteers who transform the lives of families in need with their compassionate support. Outside work I love catching up with friends, trying to keep track of my four kids, and having lots of good intentions to do more yoga which usually come to nothing.

Mavalyn Bonsu

Family Support Coordinator

I joined the team in December 2017. Before this I spent a few months as a Home-Start volunteer while bringing up my two young children. I enjoyed volunteering as it was a rewarding and valuable experience helping families with young children deal with the challenges they face. Previously, I have worked for a school and local authority for many years supporting children, young people and parents. I have always been passionate about helping people to make a difference in their lives.

Alison Henry

Family Support Coordinator

I joined Home-Start in December 2018. I have been passionate about working with young children and their education for over 25 years, working as a nanny, a nursery nurse and then going on to teach for 17 years in London schools. I have taken the lead role in our Big Hopes, Big Future programme helping parents get their children ready for nursery and school. I am looking forward to working with families more directly and supporting parents in their very important role as the prime educators of their children.

Helen Glanville

Family Support Coordinator

I joined the Home-Start Southwark team in 2019 as a volunteer. I really enjoyed working alongside local families and seeing the difference that some extra help can make. I was delighted to join the team as a Family Support Coordinator in 2021 as I am passionate about supporting families and children during the formative years of early childhood. As a primary school teacher for 20 years, I have been able to bring her experience of working with children to the role; but I am enjoying the opportunity of working more holistically with families. When I am not working, I am busy with my three teenage children and enjoy long walks with my dog.

Luciana Schwitzer

Family Support Coordinator

I joined Home-Start Southwark as a Family Support Coordinator in September 2021, after graduating with Masters Degree in Social Justice and Education from University College London. My favourite thing about working with HSS is the process of meeting people where they are at and let them be the ones to tell our team how we can help instead of the other way around. Outside of work I enjoy ice cream, long walks with my husband and two dogs, and reading.

Ola Adegbenro

Family Support Coordinator

I joined Home-Start Southwark initially as a volunteer and in October 2021 I took on the role of a Family Support Coordinator. My passion for working with children, previous work experience as a teaching assistant for 6 years, and volunteering experience with HSS brings different perspective to work of Family Support team. My favourite thing about working with HSS is seeing everyone come together and support each other. Outside of work I enjoy reading and baking.