Who We Are
ACE is about people working together to build community and to improve their own, and each other’s, lives. We rely on the skills, knowledge and good will of our trustees (elected from amongst our members), our volunteers and our staff (many of whom live locally). You can learn more about them here!
Our Trustees
The ACE Board of Trustees have overall control of the charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do. The board meet monthly to discuss the development, delivery and finances of the organisation. With a mix of skills, expertise and experience the board provide a firm structure to enable ACE to succeed in its charitable purpose.
Marian Dixey
Marian lives in Fairwater. She has worked for the NHS for over 30 years. She started volunteering on a Good Neighbours scheme and is now involved in her local PACT group and sits on the Timeplace steering committee. She is committed to supporting a multi-agency response to local issues.
Martin Hulland
Martin is the head teacher at our new Cardiff West Community High School. He has been working hard to engage the local community as he seeks to work collaboratively to create a world class educational establishment. He has been teaching since 1994 and a Senior Leader since 2003.
Helen McCarthy
Helen lives in Ely and her parents are from Ely. She and her husband set up a successful haulage company where she has been a company director and office manager. She has also been active on school governing bodies and Parent Teacher Associations. She volunteers on ACE’s CAER Heritage project and sits on the project’s management committee.
Jean O’Keefe
Jean attended Windsor Clive Primary School and has lived in Ely and Caerau since she the age of 3. She has volunteered on a number of local projects including: Ely Grapevine, Ely Festival, Ely Wheelies cycling group, and summer play groups at Western Leisure Centre. She acts as the vicar’s warden at St David’s Church, Caerau. She is a member of the Timeplace Steering Committee and a strong advocate of co-production principles.
Anne O’Regan
Vice Chair
Anne lives in Caerau. She worked for 32 years in the NHS in both community and hospital environments. She was also an equalities officer for Unison and is passionate about equalities issues. She brings expertise in Human Resource management.
James Roach
James lives in Ely. He is an active volunteer and contributes finance skills.
Oonagh Scott
Oonagh grew up in Ely. She is a local business Owner.
Mel Witherden
Chair
Mel is a retired community development consultant with 40 years’ experience in the voluntary sector. He has worked as an advisor and volunteer with ACE since 2012. His work in Wales has included establishing development trusts and supporting Communities First projects. He is the author of books on developing social enterprises and running charities.
Our Staff Team
Michelle Powell
Co-Director
Dave Horton
Co-Director
Anna-Elyse Young
Curiosity Youth Support Officer
Becci Booker
Arts Development Officer
Becki Miller
Senior Development Officer
– Working
Well
Becky Matyus
ACE Arts Sustainability and Accessibility Officer
Charlotte McCarthy
Caer Community Development Coordinator
Charlie Jones
Youth Support Worker
Christina Evans
Wellbeing Connector
Dale Ovenstone
Estates Officer
Danielle Afferion
Youth Worker
Donna Hurley
Working Well Development Officer
Fiona McCormick
Training Development Officer / Health Team Administrator
George Keane
Communications and Web Content Officer / Dusty Shed Officer
Hannah Bees
Youth Support Worker
Hasan Roap
ACE Finance Officer
Hazel Cryer
ACE Health and Wellbeing Coordinator / Operational and Development Manager
Harriet Cleal
ACE Cares Development Officer
Helen Bull
Volunteer Development Officer
James Thomas
Wellbeing Connector
Janine Campbell
Community Health Development Worker
Julie Evans
ACE Senior Administrator
Jumah Mpakulah
Senior Youth Worker
Lynette Hartman
Wellbeing Connector
Mags Lyons
Senior Wellbeing Officer / Yourspace Coordinator
Maria Ross
Assistant Administrator
Nerys Sheehan
Senior Development Officer - Community Support / Working Well
Nicola Parsons
Community Arts Coordinator
Rachel Hart
ACE Cares Development Officer
Rosie Freeman
Hidden Hillfort Curator
Sabrina Driscoll
Macmillan Development Officer / GriefSpace Facilitator
Sam Froud-Powell
Community Support Coordinator / Operational and Development Manager
Sarah Griffiths
Together for Trowbridge and St. Mellons Development Officer
Scott Bees
Benthyg Development Officer
Sharon McGrath
ACE Receptionist / ACE Fuel Voucher Administrator
Stacie Leek
Community Support Assistant / Food Project Officer / Fridge Officer
Taela-Mae Davies
Macmillan Development Officer / Project Coordinator
Vaida Barzdaite
Community Health Development Worker / Diana Garden Development Officer
Olly Davies
Archaeological & Project Director for CAER Heritage
ACE Vacancies
Volunteers
ACE offers a range of volunteering opportunities far from the normal volunteering placement. We work with the volunteers to co-produce a role together. This way of working is an integral way of ACE working, for both the volunteer and organisation. ACE is built on working on people’s strengths and offers the chance to develop and empower people to reach their full potential.
Activities such as:
- Setting up or supporting a community group
- Attending community courses,
- Working together to spread the word of ace,
- Building a community garden together,
- Supporting and growing the community together,
- Having pride in your area with clean ups
And much, much more – earning Time Credits along the way!
Please read our ACE Volunteering page, for more information on volunteering, or view our Volunteer Opportunities, to see what is available.
Partners
We have a wide range of partnerships and collaborations to help us deliver a range of activities supporting the social wellbeing and the economy of our communities.
Please view our Partners page to see who we work with.
Becoming an ACE Member
The benefits: When you join ACE you automatically become a member of Timeplace too, which means you can earn time credits for your efforts in the community. Members who are over 18 can vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and can put themselves forward for election to the board of trustees. Every registered member receives an invitation to the AGM with information on making nominations to the board.
All members are asked to make the following pledge:
I will…
Act with others to help make Ely and Caerau an ace place to live.
Care for the streets and parks and places we share as a community.
Encourage my family, friends and neighbours to do the same.
How to be an ACE Member
To become a member of ACE, please fill in the ACE Membership Form and send to info@aceplace.org or bring to the ACE reception at:
Our Place : Dusty Forge,
460 Cowbridge Rd W, Cardiff CF5 5BZ.
ACE Code of Conduct
ACE members are expected to abide by a simple Code of Conduct which you can view here
