Staff & Volunteers

Piers Denholm-Young is Centre Manager, Ann Hawker is Service Manager, Simon Philips is Facilities Manager. Other posts include Support Workers and Catering Supervisor.

Volunteers do a lot of the work. We have about 70 active volunteers at Coventry Jesus Centre, mostly members of the local Jesus Fellowship congregation.

Comments from our volunteers:
‘Helped me by being confident with people I don’t know and also being patient and understanding with them’
‘Have received training on various issues, mental health, drug and alcohol awareness, blood born viruses’
‘Has made me less lazy. Being spiritual means getting my hands dirty, so I have become more spiritual’
‘Given motivation after retirement’
‘It’s good to see you can help make a difference in peoples’ lives'
'Good team to work with, fun, and sense of serving God. Very organised and professional in approach, whilst retaining Jesus at the centre of all works.'
'Have been helped a lot so would like to volunteer to help in the kitchen'
'More confident in setting my own pace and not feeling pressurised'
'It has given me more confidence and changed my perception of the homeless and disadvantaged. The love I feel for some has grown to include many others and I have more compassion.'
'I like being part of the team I am in.'
'Feel fullfilled by helping here'

Induction & Supervision

All volunteers fill in an application form, we take up references, interview them and give relevant training including our own training videos to watch. There is an induction training package and volunteer handbook. Each volunteer is assigned someone to give regular support.

Council of Reference

Mr David Butler
Chartered Civil Engineer and Co-ordinator of City Vision Network of Churches, Coventry
Mr Maurice Markham
Minister of Meredith Road Baptist Church, Coventry
Mr Winston Pinnock
Secretary, Coventry West Indian Community Association, Spon Street, Coventry
Peter Cordle
Elder, Lower Ford Street Baptist Church, Coventry

The Council of Reference have attended functions or been kept informed by periodic letters and personal contact. The Trustees and Management Committee meet regularly and monitor and drive progress with various subcommittees in action too.