Meet the team
“Teams are incredible things. No task is too great, no accomplishment too grand, and no dream too far-fetched for a team. It takes teamwork to make the dream work.” (John Maxwell)
At ROG, we have a wonderful team of Staff, Volunteers, Trustees and Patrons who make the survival and smooth running of our charity possible. We are so grateful to the incredible people who give up their time as volunteers to make such a positive difference to the lives of the children and families who attend our group.
Staff
Pauline
Manager
I am privileged to be the Manager at ROG. I have been in post since June 2024, and I love my job. I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric First Aid Trained, and I am a Fire Warden.
Lauren
Deputy Manager
I have been the Deputy Manager and Administrator at ROG since November 2024. I first heard about the charity when my own son attended. I am Deputy Safeguarding Lead, First Aid Trained, and I am a Fire Warden.
May
Playroom Support
I started volunteering 25 years ago after my son came through the group. I am employed as the Playroom Support, am First Aid Trained and a Fire Warden.
Volunteers
Ellie
Volunteer
I have been volunteering since 2021. I have a passion for looking after children and young people with disabilities and volunteering at ROG has helped me know what profession I want to go into in the future.
Angela
Volunteer
I have been a volunteer at ROG for 14 years now and thoroughly enjoy supporting our amazing children to develop and progress while having fun and exploring new activities. My daughter attended the group from 2003, and the volunteers were so welcoming. My daughter thrived and grew in confidence. I already knew ROG was a special place and that I would like to be a part of it one day and in due course I was able to join their wonderful team.
Sarah
Volunteer
I have been volunteering for ROG since November 2021 after my son came through the group.
Sister Catherine
Volunteer
I have been volunteering with ROG since the early 1990s when I moved to Romsey. I had worked with children before and wanted to volunteer my time in a children’s charity.
Bridget
Volunteer
I started volunteering in 2019 after losing my husband. I knew another volunteer and had always loved working with children.
Sue D
Volunteer
I love coming into ROG and have been volunteering for 2 years. I found out about the charity because my daughter worked here. I am First Aid Trained.
Maggie
Volunteer
I became a volunteer for ROG 3 years ago after I was a teacher for 20 years.
Anne
Volunteer
I volunteered for a few years in the late 1990s and then I returned after I retired in 2006.
Liz
Volunteer
I have been volunteering for ROG for 12 years and I run the group music sessions.
Sue F
Volunteer and Trustee
I have been volunteering for 12 years and I am also on the Board of Trustees. I am First Aid Trained.
Mavis
Volunteer
I have been a part of ROG since 1978. I joined originally as a volunteer, then I became Playroom Coordinator. After retirement I got bored and missed the children, so I returned as a volunteer once again. I am First Aid Trained.
Jenny
Volunteer
I first came to ROG in 2021 when my Grandson was a member. When he reached school age, I was delighted to be asked to join as a volunteer.
Kate
Volunteer
I have been volunteering for 11 years. My son attended ROG, and I became a volunteer when he moved onto school.
Emily
Volunteer
I really enjoy working with children and have previously worked as a Learning Support Assistant in Primary Schools. I started working at ROG in 2024. ROG is such a lovely, welcoming place for everyone, and I have great fun helping the children explore all the toys and activities.
Sharon
Volunteer
I joined ROG in 2024. I live locally in Romsey, and I am a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 5 gorgeous children, 2 of whom have additional needs. I have always enjoyed helping and supporting children and young people. Volunteering at ROG enables me to continue to do this and watching children and their families benefit from the support given by ROG is inspiring and rewarding.
Trustees
Helen
Trustee
I became a Trustee/Chair of the group 16 years ago when I retired from my position as a headteacher. One of my school teachers was a volunteer and she suggested that I take on the role of Chair at the time when ROG needed a new Chair. I have recently stepped down as Chair but continue to support the charity as a Trustee.
Dick
Trustee
As Treasurer, I’m responsible for the finances of the organisation. I became the Treasurer in 2014 when I retired from employment and my wife Anne (a Thursday volunteer in the group) suggested I could help.
Ruth
Trustee
I live in Southampton with my husband Nick. I have a son, a daughter and two grandchildren. I have been retired for 6 years now, having worked in education for 40 years – 25 years as a teacher and 15 years as a head teacher. When I retired, I wanted to find something worthwhile to do, so when a friend of mine who volunteers for ROG told me that the charity was looking for another trustee, I thought what a great idea.
I really enjoy the role – ROG is such a special charity, making a huge difference to the children we support and their families, and the time I spend fulfilling my role feels such a privilege.
Becky
Trustee
I have been a Trustee of ROG since March 2024. My son and I attended ROG from when he was a baby until he started school. After my son left the group, I wanted to be able to give something back to the charity which helped our family so much.
Emma
Trustee
I have been a Trustee since April 2023. I found out about ROG because I had previously worked with the Chair at the time. Having worked in schools for many years, she knew that I would enjoy giving back to the community and helping a local charity.
Patrons
Jonathan Whettingsteel
Patron
I’ve been a patron of ROG since January 2024 but have supported the charity for a number of years before this. I’m the Head of the Family Department at Dutton Gregory Solicitors, and have worked as a family lawyer for over 15 years.
It’s an honour to be able to support and raise awareness for such a wonderful charity, that has also helped my family and I on a personal level.
Cllr Mark Cooper and Dr. Susan Tippett
Patrons
Mark is the Romsey Town’s County Councillor, past Mayor of Romsey and also of Test Valley. Sue is a retired General Practitioner who co-founded the original Nightingale Surgery.
They have both been Patrons and supporters of ROG since Mark became a Councillor, around 2005. They are big supporters of ROG and the work that we do.
Do you know a child who would benefit from a place at the Romsey Opportunity Group?
Anyone can refer a child to us using our online referral form. Simply click the button below.
Refer a Child