Meet the Team
We are led by our Senior Management Team.
Mel Goddard
Chief Executive Officer
Mel Goddard, who was our Family Services Manager for 9 years, started in her new role as CEO in January 2024. Mel is excited to work together with staff, volunteers and service users, to take the Roberts Centre forward into its next phase, ensuring we continue to improve the lives of children and families.
Mel joined the Roberts Centre in September 2014 as the Family Services Manager. She is the named safeguarding lead for both children and adults at risk of abuse.
Mel started her career as an adult nurse, going on to gain a degree in school nursing before starting her work in the charity sector in 2000.
Mel worked for over 13 years for a national children’s charity in and around the Greater Manchester area, managing projects aimed at supporting families, children and young people living in some of the most deprived areas of the country. This is when she gained her level 7 qualification in integrated leadership.
Mel also has experience of working at both regional and national level advising local authorities on policy and procedure as well as national campaign design and delivery.
Nicky Clark FCA
Finance Manager
Nicky is a Chartered Accountant and worked in practice for almost 20 years before joining The Roberts Centre in 2020.
Her role is to ensure the charity's money is safe, properly used and accounted for, and to ensure continuous improvement in cost effectiveness so that we achieve the best possible outcomes for our service users.
Emma Gibb
Nursery Manager
Emma has 10 years of experience within the early years sector. She holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and recently studied in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Lynne Thompsell Resettlement Manager
Lynne has worked at The Roberts Centre for six and a half years. In her role as Resettlement Manager, she works with care-experienced young people and individuals and families at risk of homelessness. She is also our deputy safeguarding lead.
Lynne was born and studied in Portsmouth. She volunteered and then worked with Naval families before starting her 30-year career in the voluntary sector.
Natalie Smith - Family tenancy support and Contact Centre manager
Natalie has worked with children and families for over 20 years and holds a degree in Early Years Care and Education. Natalie has worked with children in day nurseries and families across the world in the leisure industry.
Natalie is now applying her knowledge to leading her teams in supporting families across many of our projects.