Gary See, Chief Operating Officer - Torrington Drive Community Association (TDCA)
"It has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Ann and Cheryl over the years. Their extensive knowledge, expertise, and dedication have been truly remarkable and invaluable to our community. They have consistently demonstrated not only exceptional skills but also remained committed to providing support where it's most needed.
We at TDCA are enthusiastic about continuing our partnership with Ann and Cheryl via their newly formed enterprise - Merseyside Housing & Debt Advice (MDHA), as we jointly strive to enhance and expand the essential services offered to our community.
We are confident that, with MDHS's continued involvement, we will achieve great success and make a significant impact together."
Alan Flute, Manager - Care & Repair
"It has been my privilege to have known Ann and Cheryl for many years, having worked in partnership to resolve local issues for local people. Ann and Cheryl have a drive and a passion to do what is right and are always determined to deliver for the customer.
They have a vast knowledge second to none, providing support on a massive and diverse scale.
They have turned people’s lives around and in some cases of desperation, they have done what many other agencies simply fail to do.
I cannot recommend Ann and Cheryl highly enough, they are the right kind of people, who have the mixed qualities of empathy, drive, vision, knowledge, professionalism and passion to change people and their situations for the better every time. Delivering life changing results."
Jeane Lowe - former CEO of Centre63 Charity
"I have known Ann and Chery in a work capacity for over 15 years.
My role was to line manage both Ann and Cheryl.
Both workers have impeccable records of exceeding outcomes for young people and the wider
community.
Their work ethic is second to none and their passion for achieving the best possible outcomes
for vulnerable and marginalised people was evidenced throughout my time at Centre 63 where I held the position of CEO for 33 years before my retirement in 2022.
No number of words will ever be able to describe two highly motivated, compassionate, and
passionate women who work tirelessly for justice for all.
Their knowledge, skills and attitude mean that they can hit the ground running, build effective
relationships with partner agencies, and achieve outcomes that were deemed not possible.
In terms of administration both Ann and Cheryl are competent in all aspects of recording and
monitoring outcomes, keeping case files up to date in line with GDPR and other administrative
tasks required when managing referrals.
In short, they are outstanding, and Communities would be better equipped to positively impact
communities if we had more workers like Ann and Cheryl."
Dr Lisa Marsland Hall - Consultant Clinical Psychologist
"I have worked with the wonderful Ann Norris & Cheryl Roach for nearly 10 years. As
Associate Director for Vulnerable Complex Families for Mersey Care NHS Trust, I
have been truly inspired by Ann & Cheryl’s passion, commitment & want to go
above & beyond & make a ‘real’ difference for Vulnerable Families in the
community.
I believe strongly that C63 great reputation for engaging communities across
Knowsley & tackling inequalities & the poverty which families face, is down the the
many years of hard work, dedication to the community which Ann & Cheryl have
given.
As a Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Lead for the BABS services, I want to thank
Ann & Cheryl for all of the amazing support they have offered to families which has
helped them to break through difficult times & generational cycles.
I cannot praise Ann & Cheryl enough! I love working with brilliant change makers
like Ann & Cheryl. Birdies Song ‘People Help the People’ should be tributed to
them."
Andy Thornton - former Chair of the Board at Centre63
"I am very proud to have had ten years association with Centre63, as a Board
Member, Vice Chair and Chair of the Board.
During this period, I have come to understand the business and priorities of the
charity, and the passions of those who work so diligently to improve the lives and
prospects of vulnerable people in the community.
I use the word “passion” in a real sense, because nowhere is this more evident than
in the work which Ann and Cheryl have been doing supporting people to understand
and manage their finances, liaising with creditors, negotiating opportunities,
educating service users, and supporting people to negotiate the difficult and ever-
changing world of social benefits, as well as helping provide essential furniture and
other benefits to set people up on the path to financial independence.
Although their project was always successful in meeting its targets, it frequently over-
achieved because for Ann and Cheryl it was never about the project outcomes, their
work was always about the people.
They achieved the impossible every day, they were trusted by their clients absolutely
and they deserved this trust, because the difference they made to the lives of literally
thousands of vulnerable, frightened, confused and frequently desperate people was
amazing.
They are both very experienced and skilled in navigating the complex world of
benefits and support systems, which are changing constantly, and have networks of
people and organisations who they work with to get the best for the clients.
Potential funders and partners should be aware – the skills they bring to their new
role are very rare – the benefits systems are in constant change, and very complex -
there are very, very few people who are as familiar and confident as Ann and Cheryl,
and clients and funders can be assured that the advice and guidance provided are
the very highest quality.
In addition to their professionalism, in my experience both Ann and Cheryl have that
rare quality of being genuinely warm and welcoming -they honestly care about
people, and it shines through the work they do -I recall Board Meetings where I, as
Chair, was proud to demonstrate to the rest of the Board the letters and feedback
from delighted clients, who took the time to put in writing how much their lives had
changed for the better and how delighted they were with the help, and
understanding, they had received.
I know from my Board experience that the service provided made a huge difference
to the lives of people at a critical time, it not only provided financial and tangible
benefits to the clients, it gave them independence, confidence, self-esteem, pride,
security, and much more.
In the time I have been fortunate to know them, Ann and Cheryl have been
passionate, professional and highly skilled – I believe they are embarking on a new
venture and I have every confidence they will bring the same passions and skills with
them, and I wish them every success."