Meet the Team
​
Our team is dedicated to the mission of helping those in need in the Sturminster area. Get to know the people who make Age Concern North Dorset what it is. Our team is an unbelievable source of information and we are ready to share our events, and activities, for you to get involved.
Dianne Cooper
Chairwoman
Dianne joined Age Concern in the Autumn of 2013. She has extensive knowledge of the voluntary sector having initiated the North Dorset Outreach for the Volunteer Centre. Prior to moving to Dorset, Dianne set up and ran the first volunteer scheme for the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, assisted in the creation of a friends of Kew organisation and as promotions executive for the friends, ran and promoted a large number of events for Kew and the friends organisation. Dianne was a Rotarian during her working life and when she moved to Dorset transferred from the Kew Gardens Rotary Club to Blandford Forum and became the first lady president of the club in 2005. In her retirement she enjoys walking her Jack Russell terrier, visiting gardens and gardening.
Derek Gwynne
Treasurer
Derek joined Age Concern in 2015 and maintains the Charity's accounting records, as Treasurer.
Derek is a Chartered Accountant who trained with KPMG in London, qualifying in 1979. He spent most of his career working in corporate lending with a US corporation, latterly as Finance Director.
In his spare time, Derek enjoys being with his family, is a keen gardener and also enjoys fly fishing.
Gina Nelson
Office and Services Support Manager
Gina has over 30 years experience in library management in Scotland, London and Dorset.
Public and private sector posts include those in banking, publishing and most recently serving schools across the county.
Outside interests are reading, watching all sport and discovering new music.
Frances Pearce
Trustee
Frances joined Age Concern North Dorset Board of Trustees in 2011 and is the project lead/coordinator for Befriending and Bereavement Support Services.
Frances worked in both the private and public sectors in a career spanning 40 years. As a senior local government manager/head of service she experienced the full range of challenges associated with strategic planning, financial management, project management, change management, people management and performance monitoring.
Ed Crowther
Community Outreach
Working with the community and other agencies to understand the needs and improve the lives of older residents in Sturminster and the surrounding area.