Our Team

Steve Manwaring has been the CEO of Hastings Voluntary Action for 25 years. He has over 30 years experience developing projects and programmes to meet community need and supporting local organisations. Steve has worked in the public sector as a local government officer and elected member, advised public sector bodies and facilitated cross sector arrangements at a senior level.

Debby is the Project Lead for both the Hastings Food Insecurity project and the Hastings Ageing project incorporating Age Friendly Communities and the Ageing Network.

Jacy works alongside local men to explore local assets and strengths, build connections, and support community-led action that enables change.

Jan has over 20 years community development and regeneration experience, and delivered the ten-year Big Local programme in North East Hastings.  She currently supports community work in Broomgrove and Downs Farm and is responsible for Human Resources.

Jane leads on promoting volunteering locally and helps volunteer-involving organisations grow and nurture their volunteer pool. Jane also assists with admin and events with/for older people, as well as working within food access and food support systems in Hastings.

Jane manages the Hastings Cancer Champions health inequalities work which is supported by Macmillan.

Kim works on the reception at Jackson Hall 3 days a week. She is the co-ordinator for the Hastings Community Network (HCN) events, publicising them and managing bookings and compiling reports about the events. She also supports the HCN Executive Group with arranging meetings and taking minutes and co-ordinates the HVA training programme.

Laura focuses on keeping finances clear and manageable within HVA. Laura also guides and supports local charities with various financial matters including Independent Examinations.

Lindsey Supports men’s health and wellbeing across East Sussex by coordinating delivery, partnerships and community engagement within the project’s ABCD framework.

Marc has coordinated the Links Project for over 20 years.  He has worked with asylum seekers, refugees and migrants living in Hastings since 1999.

Matt manages HVA’s communications channels, including social media and our fortnightly e-bulletin. He also provides group support with a focus supporting groups to set up CICs.

Phoenix works on reception 3 days a week, welcoming HVA’s visitors and managing general enquiries. She handles room bookings at Jackson Hall and Central Hall as well as our postal and printing services. Phoenix supports the wider team and ensures the smooth running of HVA’s busy office.

Su provides support to a range of community individuals, groups and organisations; connecting people and ideas. Su also hosts the ‘Hastings Youth Partnership’ linking youth facing projects and organisations.

Tash has over 20 years of experience in community arts practice grounded in trauma-informed and asset-based approaches. She believes in listening to the community, collaboratively exploring ideas, building a sense of belonging, and empowering the community to take the lead.

Yasmine oversees the engagement, recruitment, and training of the Champions. She has also developed tools for Champions to use, enabling them to signpost people to local cancer support services.

Tracy is HVA’s Volunteer Receptionist/Administrator. She greets every guest and caller with kindness, and listens attentively to their needs, directing them to the member of staff or support service that can best help. Tracy is a long-standing and essential member of the HVA team.

Tinka helps organisations pay their employees smoothly and on time, as well as liaising with HMRC and pension providers on the companies’/charities behalf.

Mary joined the Board of HVA in 2020 becoming Chair in 2023 and brings over 35 years of experience working in and around the VCSE sector. She is committed to principles of community development which make the best of local assets, develop collaborative outlooks/practice and contribute to genuine cross sector collaboration to make systems and support do the best for people who need them.

Andrea Randall-Smith is CEO of Little Gate Supported Employment, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autism to gain skills, independence and paid work. She is passionate about reducing inequality. As a Trustee for Hastings Voluntary Action, she brings insight, strong partnerships, and a genuine commitment to supporting local communities.

After 25 years of teaching and school leadership, Paula set up Enjoycation C.I.C. in 2018 as a teaching/tutoring service for children and young people who are not in school: some have always been home educating, but most of have come out of school for SEND reasons or school-based anxiety.

Paula is committed to improving life chances for children and young people locally, especially those with Special Needs and Disabilities, and to support for the home educating community. She brings her Quaker values of social fairness and equality

As Vice Chair of Hastings Voluntary Action, Angie brings strategic insight from her leadership at Hastings Furniture Service. She champions community resilience, volunteer development, and practical solutions to reduce poverty. Angie is committed to strengthening local partnerships and ensuring fair, accessible support for people across Hastings and St Leonard’s.

Nell is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and currently a Senior Lecturer. Nell is one of the Directors/Trustees (currently the treasurer) of Hastings Voluntary Action and was the Independent Board Member of the Riverside North for a full 9-year term from 2006 to 2015.