About Us > Who We Are​

Formerly known as Women and Work, we have been supporting the people of Milton Keynes for over 40 years and are proud to have affected the lives of thousands of clients in that time by helping them to realise their personal and professional goals.  

​We’re a small friendly team. We love working with our clients, seeing them grow and helping them get where they want to be with their career. 

Meet the team

Marion Cole

Chief Executive

"I'm here to support the organisation strategically by developing corporate and community partnerships, as well as ensuring we have the resources to continue to grow and support our clients."  

Tracy Whitmore

Organisational Manager

"I'm here to ensure the organisation runs smoothly by supporting the staff and volunteers with the day-to-day running of the charity and dealing with all HR and finance matters." 

​​My working hours are 9am - 4.30pm Monday - Thursday 
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Kelly Murdoch

INFORMATION,ADVICE & GUIDANCE Service Manager

"I'm here to ensure our clients receive tailored training and employment support by identifying their individual needs and providing employment or training-focused information, advice and guidance. "

​​My working hours are 9am - 3pm Monday - Friday 

Tracey Watson

Information,Advice & Guidance Adviser

" I'm here to offer information, advice and guidance support and help people to achieve their work and life goals. I'll work with you to develop your confidence, self esteem and resilience."
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​My working hours are 9am - 3pm Monday and Tuesday

Meet the facilitator team

Wamedh Abdulkareem
Jay Bassral
​Lisa Bailey 
​Susie Ford
​Avril Francome
Roy McDonald
Robert Morrall 
Annette Norrish
​Mehjabeen Rais

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Meet the trustees

Patron: Dr. Ann Limb OBE DL

Alexa Wilkinson M.B.E.

chair

I have been actively involved with Works for Us for the past 6 years and Chairperson for the last 4 years, however I have known and worked with the Charity for many years before that.
 
I have lived and worked in Milton Keynes since 1983 serving the community, My main role was contracting for vocational training for young people and adults including advice and guidance services. When I was asked to become a trustee for Works for Us it felt like a good fit, hopefully my experience could prove useful.
 
A major achievement in my career was to be awarded an MBE in 2001 for Services to Training for young people and adults in Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire.  I was extremely fortunate I worked with amazing people, great Training Providers, Employers and my team of Contract Managers who contributed to making this possible.
 
When I am not volunteering I enjoy keeping fit, going to the gym and walking most days plus it is well known at Works for Us I actually enjoy ironing and cleaning.  I find these tasks very therapeutic.
 
I am always indebted to the very small Team at Works for Us, they never fail to make people who use our services, welcome and there is always time to talk and have a cuppa.

Amanda Carter-Philpott

VICE chair

As a woman with disabilities, I am passionate about diversity and inclusion. Prior to founding my own company I was employed for many years in the criminal justice/safeguarding field both as a social worker and senior probation officer in Milton Keynes. 

My approach is totally inclusive and is at the core of my business model as a director of Pandora Inc CIC which stands for: Promoting Achievement Nurturing Diversity Openly Respecting Ability. Pandora was set up to work with those on the margins of society and give a voice to the voiceless.

As a trainer, educator, public speaker and activist in the disability community I am a fierce advocate of Diversity &Inclusivity. I am the disability representative on the Independent Advisory Group to the Police in Milton Keynes,

As well as Vice Chair of Works for Us, I am the Chair of Soroptimists MK,  Co-chair of the Disability Caucus for the national Women's Equality Party and Communications Officer in the Women's Equality Party MK where I write a weekly blast..

​I am also a community representative on the Assessment Board of the local Community Foundation which allocates funds through an application process to local third sector organisations.

Chris Wood

​Treasurer

I joined the trustees of Works For Us as treasurer in September 2018, having been peripherally involved in the organisation for many years through my wife who has worked there as a tutor since 1993, and also ran it for ten years when it was Women and Work.

Having seen at first hand the way that Works for Us has transformed the lives of so many people I wanted to contribute myself in some way, and so when I was asked if I would consider becoming treasurer, I decided to give it a go.

I worked in IT for 35 years, as a programmer, analyst and project manager, mainly in the financial services sector, but also for the Open University. I have now retired from paid work, but keep very busy. I play squash regularly (when pandemics allow), sing in two Milton Keynes choirs, do most of the cooking at home, and attempt, very badly, to play piano. We also maintain a property in Wales which we are converting into a nature reserve.

Sam Bridger

I’m an award-winning Marketing & Business Development Director with over 30 years’ experience gained in the private, public and voluntary sectors. 
 
I started my career in London advertising agencies and later moved client-side to work for brands like Orange and Mercedes-Benz. 

​In 2007, I set up my own consultancy to help clients re-energize their teams and their businesses through more accountable, more effective marketing and brand strategies.  Working as both an interim director and consultant, I’ve helped a diverse range of businesses including Anglian Water, The MS Society, Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants and NHS Blood & Transplant, to name but a few.
 
I’m a Business Leader member of the Marketing Society and have been a Trustee of Works for Us since 2017.

Yvonne Elliott

I'm a passionate advocate of lifelong learning, having taught adults locally for many years before retiring in 2015 from my post as Vice Principal of Adult Learning with Milton Keynes Council’s Community Learning service.

​I joined the Works for Us Board shortly after retiring because I had long been a supporter of the Charity and understood from personal experience just how much help people need to build their confidence after a break in employment or a change in circumstances.

Nikki Goldman

I grew up in Cirencester in the Cotswolds and went to study Management with a Year in Industry at the University of York. I completed a sandwich year as part of my degree in a HR function at a technology distribution company, which went on to shape my future career. I am a recruitment professional specialising in recruiting into Professional Services and Financial Services industries.
 
I was attracted to Works for Us as I thought it was a very worthy cause, and my experience in recruitment would contribute to the charity’s mission. 

​I recognise the importance of presenting one’s experience and skills to help find a suitable job that is both enjoyable and fulfilling. 
​I became a Trustee at Works for Us in November 2018 and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team. 
 
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and baking, reading, travelling,  visiting art galleries and going to the theatre/ballet. I am learning to play golf and regularly use the gym.

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