Who We Are

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​

Chair

Marian lives in Fairwater, and retired a few years ago after working in the NHS for 36 years. She started volunteering for a Good Neighbours scheme, then was involved in Communities First, and chaired her local PACT.

She is now an active volunteer for ACE, and is committed to supporting a multi-agency response to local issues.

Mel Witherden

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.

Oonagh Scott

Oonagh grew up in Ely. She is a local business Owner.

Eva-Elliot-sml

Eva Elliott

Eva is an Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University School of Social Sciences. Eva’s relevant research and evaluation experience focuses on inequalities that influence health, social and economic factors that impact communities, and how to improve health and wellbeing to influence wider systemic social change.

James Roach

(Vice Chair)

Leyton Devril Smith

Leyton has lived and worked in this area all his life, nearly 60 years, and is now semi-retired. He is a keen and active volunteer for the community on issues including health and well-being, and is an ambassador for the Welsh Blood Service.

Chris Lannen

Janice Refalo

Our Staff Team

Michelle Powell

ACE Director

Becky Matyus

Community Plan Coordinator

Beth Leek

Volunteer Development Officer

Clare Westcott

Wellbeing Connector

Dale Ovenstone

Estates Officer

Danielle Afferion

Young People Wellbeing connector

Dave Horton

ACE Learning and Training Director

Fiona McCormick

Training Development Officer

George Keane

Communications and Web Content Officer / Dusty Shed Officer

Hannah Bees

Community Health Development Worker

Hasan Roap

ACE Finance Officer

Hazel Cryer

Operational and Development Manager

Hywel Squires

Community Engagement Officer

Jamie Hallett

Wellbeing Connector

Julie Evans

ACE Senior HR Administrator

Lois Atkinson

Caer Centre Development Officer

Lynette Hartman

Wellbeing Connector

Mags Lyons

Senior Wellbeing Officer / Project Coordinator Yourspace

Maria Ross

Assistant Administrator

Nerys Sheehan

Project Coordinator Community Support / Grand Avenues Coordinator

Nicola Parsons

Community Arts Coordinator

Rachel Hart

Community Health Development Worker

Robert Jones

Yourspace Monitoring and Admin Assistant

Ruth Mumford

Benthyg Development Officer

Sabrina Driscoll

Wellbeing Connector

Sam Froud-Powell

Operational and Development Manager

Sarah Griffiths

Together for Trowbridge and St. Mellons Development Officer

Sharon McGrath

ACE Receptionist

Sophia Farrugia

Wellbeing Connector

Stacie Leek

Hafan Project Development Officer

Steve Lyons

Diana Garden Development Worker

Susan Beese

Wellbeing Connector

Taela-Mae Davies

Yourspace Project Coordinator

ACE Vacancies

If you are interested in working for ACE, please view our Job Vacancies page to see current roles available.
Volunteers of the Growing Club at the Community Garden.

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.

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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

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