Our People
Our People
Fundraising Staff
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Emma Turton
FUNDRAISING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Kia ora, I came on board with the Cholmondeley Children’s Centre team in 2023 because I wanted to give back and make a difference in the Ōtautahi community.
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As a former broadcast journalist I really enjoy promoting the meaningful mahi Cholmondeley is doing for Canterbury tamariki.
When I am not drumming up support for Cholmondeley I am usually off climbing mountains, surfing, or skateboarding around Christchurch.
Get in touch if you would like to find out more about what is happening at Cholmondeley.
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Ingrid Larsen
EVENTS & RELATIONSHIPS LEAD
I joined the Cholmondeley team in 2020, bringing with me over 30 years of experience in the TV and video production industry. For two decades, I ran my own production company, working on documentaries and major sports events across New Zealand and internationally.
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My background in production management has transitioned into the planning and organising of Cholmondeley's fundraising events.
I am thrilled to be part of the Cholmondeley team, where I can combine my passion for events with a commitment to making a positive impact in our community. I look forward to continuing to create meaningful experiences that support the important work we do here at Cholmondeley.
Practice Team Leads
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Alice
CHILD & YOUTH CARE PRACTITIONER
TEAM LEADERKia ora- I Joined the Cholmondeley whanau at the beginning of 2022 as a part of the care team. Prior to Cholmondeley I worked as a residential youth worker at Barnardos and continue to volunteer for Te Mapua Child and Youth Trust. I have always had a passion for working with children and youth and love the opportunity to meet and work with so many amazing kids at CCC.
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MJ
OUTDOOR EDUCATOR
Kia ora koutou! He uri ahau nō tawhiti, kei Ōtautahi ahau e noho ana, I tipu ake ahau ki Rānana. E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o te waipounamu e noho nei au, nō reirā, tēnā koutou katoa. He Pākehā ahau, ko Mj tōku ingoa.
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I am the Outdoor Educator/Kaikao Awhi here at Cholmondeley. I live in Lyttelton with my guinea pig Trousers, however I spend much of my spare time either in the backcountry or the ocean. I love to be around the mountains tramping and snowboarding, in rivers or oceans kayaking, scaling crags climbing, and trying to master my steeze on my longboard surfing.
I am passionate about nurturing the adventurous spirit of tamariki to explore, learn, and grow in many ways through the outdoors.
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Evie
CHILD & YOUTH CARE PRACTITIONER TEAM LEADER
Kia ora koutou- my name is Evie and I’m a Child and Youth Care Practitioner here at Cholmondeley. I joined the team in 2020 and have the privilege of working with the incredible tamariki that come to Cholmondeley every day. I’m really passionate about the mahi we do here in helping tamariki to build resilience and achieve their own personal goals. When I’m not working, you’ll find me spending time outdoors, camping or practicing yoga. Ngā Manaakitanga Evie
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Nat
LEARNING FACILITATOR
Hi! My name is Nat and I have been a Learning Facilitator in Kura at Cholmondeley since 2019. I have been a teacher for over 20 years and have taught in New Zealand, the UK, and The Cook Islands. I moved to NZ from the UK in 2010 and live in Lyttelton/Ōketeupoko with my wife Julia, our 3 kids, 2 dogs, and 3 chickens! When I’m not at Cholmondeley you will find me skateboarding, playing records on my radio show in Lyttelton, driving around in my old VW, making notebooks, or drawing on things.
Support Staff
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Melanie
CARE COORDINATOR
Kia ora- My name is Melanie but most people call me Mel. I am the Care Coordinator here at Cholmondeley. My role mainly involves booking stays for tamariki and administration for new whānau.
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Before Cholmondeley I worked for many years with children on the spectrum, supporting their whānau with respite.
I am from England originally but moved to New Zealand in January 2010. I live with my hubby Steve (who is the caretaker here at Cholmondeley) and our Son. Our Daughter is currently travelling around the world at the moment. In my spare time, I enjoy walking around the Port Hills, exploring the beautiful South Island, reading, and watching movies.
I absolutely love being part of the Cholmondeley whānau and all that it is doing. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
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Steve Gresty
CARETAKER
Hello- If you see anything that needs fixing, just let me know. I am from the UK but moved to New Zealand in January 2010. I am married to Mel, who also works at Cholmondeley and have a son & daughter.
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I am a very passionate Manchester City and England fan but I enjoy watching most sports. I also like tramping, exploring New Zealand with my family and secretly am a Star Wars geek.
Awhi Team
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Chelsea
REFOCUS SOCIAL WORKER
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa! Ko Chelsea toku ingoa and I am a whanau kaimahi / social worker with our wonderful Refocus Team. I love working alongside rangitahi, tamariki and whānau to help support and navigate through life’s challenges.
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I grew up in Timaru and moved up to Ōtautahi to study social work and loved the place so much I stayed! I worked as a child protection social worker before joining the Refocus team at the beginning of 2023.
Outside of mahi, you’ll find me dancing, with my own whānau or at church.
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Jess
REFOCUS YOUTH WORKER
Kia ora, my name is Jess. I am one of the CYCP's at Cholmondeley. I come from a construction background, and I am now fulfilling my dream of working with tamariki!
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Providing support and care for our tamariki in a fun and safe environment is amazing. I love my job every single day as each day is a different experience.
I feel blessed to be part of this organisation, in a team of such caring people.
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Whenua Patuwai
WHĀNAU ORA NAVIGATOR
Kia Ora e te iwi. Ko Whenua tōku ingoa. I am a one of the Whānau Ora Navigators here at Cholmondeley. I was privileged enough to join the Cholmondeley Whānau in 2023 and have been enjoying this journey that I am on.
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I have a strong passion for working with Rangatahi and creating a space that is safe and where they can be themselves. My hopes of being in this role are to inspire our Whānau to dream big and to see our Whānau reach their aspirations.
Board of Governance
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Nettles Lamont
CHAIR
Nettles is the Managing Director of Conquest Training NZ, a training company that works across New Zealand specialising in up-skilling the workforce.
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Nettles is also involved in the Philanthropic sector in New Zealand and is CEO of the Dublin Street Charitable Trust (DSCT). The DSCT concentrates on causes based specifically in Canterbury and surrounding areas.
Nettles is the current Chair on the Board of the NZ Adult Literacy Practitioners Association and she is actively involved in advocacy for adult education. Nettles is a current Board Member of CYDP (Canterbury Youth Development Programme) and has been part of the Cholmondeley Board since 2014.
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Janine Morrell-Gunn
TRUSTEE
Janine is one of New Zealand's leading children's television producers. She trained as a producer and director with TVNZ before spending seven years as Executive Producer of TVNZ's Children's Unit.
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In 1998 Janine and husband, Jason Gunn, formed Christchurch based production company, WhitebaitMedia, which has actively supported Cholmondeley for over a decade.
During the Canterbury earthquakes, she established the charity Adopt a Christchurch Family which raised over $1million for Canterbury families in need. She is also a current Board Member of St Margaret's College.
In 2009, Janine was recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year by WIFT (Women in Film and TV) and was a finalist in Next Magazine's 2012 Woman of the Year.
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Marion Tizzard
TRUSTEE
Marion is a registered social worker who worked for several years both in the UK and New Zealand with young people with special educational needs and with youth at risk before subsequently being employed in the addictions and mental health sector by Odyssey House Christchurch in 2011.
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She has been the driver of establishing new services within the sector, the most recent being pilot services for a women's only residential treatment service and a supported accommodation unit for women in the justice system in Christchurch. She is a keen advocate for wahine and whānau and carries the portfolio at Odyssey for, strengthening and further developing mana-enhancing work with whānau to collectively help them overcome the challenges that they face. Marion brings a practice and strengths-based perspective to the Board and believes that the work that Cholmondeley does is vital to providing support to tamariki and whānau.
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Henrietta Carroll
TRUSTEE
Henrietta brings her experience in governance and management to the board.
She is of Ngai Tahu/Ngati Kahungunu descent and currently works for her Ngai Tahu iwi as Kaihautū – General Manager at Mahaanui Kurataiao, an environmental consultancy owned by the 6 Canterbury Papatipu Rūnanga.
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Governance roles include Wairewa Rūnanga representative to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu board, Chair Tāwhaki a joint venture between government and two papatipu rūnanga Wairewa and Te Taumutu to restore land at Kaitorete Spit and investigate potential aerospace opportunities, and Chair Womens’ Centre Christchurch, a community organisation offering free counselling services for women.
She has worked for a number of organisations promoting whānau, social well-being, employment and health. She is a strong advocate for Māori women, social justice and the environment.
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Jarrod Gilbert
TRUSTEE
Jarrod is the Director of Independent Research Solutions and a sociologist at the University of Canterbury.
He is currently on the board of the Salisbury Street Foundation, and co-chairs the Wellness Wellbeing and Insights Group at the Department of Corrections. He was a member Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora – the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group, and he regularly advisors numerous government agencies.
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Jarrod wrote Patched the History of Gangs in New Zealand, A Rebel in Exile, and co-edited Criminal Justice: a New Zealand Introduction. He is also a columnist at The New Zealand Herald.
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Claire Sparks
TRUSTEE
As the Director of Advancement at Christ's College, Claire takes care of marketing, communications, and community engagement. Her role also covers alumni engagement, event management, development, sponsorship and bequests, as well as domestic and international admissions and the front office.
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Claire brings a wealth of expertise and experience, having run her own marketing consultancy and worked in notable companies across New Zealand and Australia, including Yellow Pages, Thrifty Car Rental, BOC Gas, and Ansett New Zealand.
Claire is also committed to the broader education community as the President of the Rangi Ruru Girls' School PTA since 2020. This role underscores her dedication to fostering connections and supporting educational initiatives beyond her primary professional responsibilities.
Claire's recent appointment to Cholmondeley’s Board reflects her enthusiasm for contributing to the wider community. By joining the board, Claire aims to leverage her skills and experience to make a positive impact within the Cholmondeley community, further demonstrating her commitment to community engagement and service.
Patron
TUTEHOUNUKU ‘NUK’ KORAKO
Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Te Rakiamo, Ngāi Tahu – Ngāti Wheke, Rapaki, Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri
I am honoured to be patron of Cholmondeley Children’s Centre, following in the footsteps of Marion Judge and Lady Barbara Stewart who worked tirelessly to support Cholmondeley over many years.
I have had a long association with Cholmondeley, having spent time here as a child and in more recent years as a board member. With first-hand experience, I understand the difference Cholmondeley can make in the life of a child.
As a Cholmondeley alumni, I see the opportunity to contribute to the iconic organisation that helped my family all those years ago, and also to continue the work I have done with Cholmondeley as a board member. I look forward to working with the Chair, Cholmondeley Board and Foundation.
