Our Trusted Staff & Board Members

31 years as an engineer, 14 years working in care. I am a volunteer driver for hospital transport as well as regular driving for FSS. I was a qualified cub and scout leader for 25 years. For 50 years I have been a qualified football referee with Gloucestershire FA and I enjoy fishing. I am Treasurer of the Forest of Dean Health Forum which represents the interest of the Forest of Dean people around Health issues.

I am retired from retail banking, having been employed by a well-known bank for 50 years. The last 10 years on a part-time basis. My expertise is with personal finances. Having guided customers through debt and bereavement. Now that I have more time to commit, I decided to apply to Forest Sensory Services as I have been a team member for over 7 years with Forest Talk, the audio magazine for blind and partially sighted people.

I am a community optometrist who has worked in the Forest of Dean since 1981. I am a partner of David Kear Opticians. I was chair of the Gloucestershire Local Optical Committee for 20 years before stepping down last year. I have also served on the PEC committee of Gloucestershire CCG. I am chair of the trustees of Cambodia Action, a small development agency/mission working in Cambodia. In my role as a trustee of FSS, I bring the clinical experience of sight issues and experience in working with healthcare professionals.

David Warner. With a wide variety of life experience, including working in a range of roles mainly farming industry, both employed and self-employed. I am well-travelled. After my having my accident in 2017, I had to adjust and adapt to being visually impaired in a short space of time. I moved into my own home in 2022, learning to cook, clean and function daily whilst being visually impaired after being able to do all these things with sight.

Local councillor, parliamentary candidate 2019, Women’s refuge – responsible for safeguarding of clients, volunteers, and staff.

Being born in the Forest of Dean I have a lot of passion for the well being of the people and the place. I lived in Woolaston for many years before I moved to Swansea when I got married and had my children.

I have had my own sewing business, taught I.T and been a Driving Instructor. Now I am retired I enjoy teaching craft at FSS and driving the clients to and from classes as well as spending time with my grandchildren and family, here and abroad.

I believe the charity to be like no other. It offers a full and compassionate support system for anyone who needs help. This is why I became a Trustee.

Dr Richard Gale

After 17 years varied service as an Army doctor, including combat and peace support operations around the world, from 2003, I worked as a long term locum GP/ sports medicine doctor in the Forest of Dean, Herefordshire, Gwent, the MOD and latterly in Nova Scotia, Canada. I am now semi- retired.

I have previously served on the Gloucestershire Local Medical Committee and have been involved with a variety of both military and civilian charities in fundraising and organisational capacities.

My blind father-in-law and deaf wife both found great support from FSS.

I will bring my organisational skills and experience of working with local medical and administrative systems to the benefit of the charity as well as some driving on the side!