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 tributes 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.”
Below is a testimonial from John Beardwood, who wanted to share his story.
When I was 17, I was living in SHAP supported accommodation, due to my father passing away and my mother unable to provide a home for me and my siblings.
I got by in this accommodation, and when I turned 18, I was offered a then KHT property, now known as LIVV Housing. It was a small 1 bed flat, close to my siblings who were in foster care at the time.
I was frightened at the thought of how I was going to manage as had never managed my own place and didn’t know were to start.
This is when Ann came into my life. She was my guardian angel. Looking back now I think God, what if she never came into my life, would I be where I am today? The answer is no I probably wouldn’t be.
Ann took me under her wing; she gave me the best support possible, empowering me to be who I am today. Ann never gave up on me and encouraged and supported me to take chances, push myself, believe in myself. she used to throw stones at my window to get me up, as I did tend to sleep a lot then.
Through the support from Ann, I applied for an apprentice position with LIVV Housing. Ann prepped me for my interview, and even bought me some smart clothes so I looked presentable. I was successful and started my apprentice position which was for 12 months.
Ann supported me to budget my money, pay my bills and not fall behind on anything. I always remember my first holiday aboard with my friends, Ann supported me with my passport and even came and gave me a bag of toiletries to take away. Ann has been more than a support worker to me, she has been like a second mum.
The apprentice position led to a full-time permeant position, and I’m happy to say I’m still with the organisation some 13 years on.
I am in a good place in my life, I have an amazing partner and daughter, close relationship with my two siblings who are doing well themselves, and our mother who is in our lives and doing well.
Ann is no longer my support worker but a close friend to me and my family, she is a constant in my life, and she tells me how proud she is of how I have turned out and what I have achieved . Thank you Ann for everything you do and still do, being there if I need support.