David Barker
General Manager
David joined in June 2025, after working in the media and in charity advice services. He also manages a student mental health charity.
About Chance
A charity in Crewe, run by volunteers, for people facing poverty, homelessness and loneliness.
Dignity, not just food
Hope as well as help.
Chance Changing Lives began by reaching out to people sleeping rough in Crewe. Today it runs a pantry, a Saturday kitchen and a place to turn when life gets hard.
Volunteers do most of the work, alongside a small paid team and a board of trustees. We believe that with the right support, people can move from crisis to stability, and from isolation to community.
Our staff
The small team who keep the Pantry and the Saturday Kitchen running, with our volunteers.
Carol Walker
Saturday Service Manager
Carol began as a children’s social worker and has supported young people and families in the community. She joined in 2023 and loves bringing people together over home-cooked food.
Simon Tomkinson
Van Driver and Logistics Coordinator
Simon joined in 2024 after a long career at BT. He collects and delivers the food for the Pantry and the Saturday Kitchen.
Jenny McKeown
Financial Administrator
Jenny joined in 2022 with a background in HR and business administration, and has helped make our systems clearer and more reliable.
Fiona Williams
Administrator
Fiona joined in June 2025. She has worked in communications for health charities, and has lived in Cheshire East most of her life.
Our trustees
Volunteers who run the charity’s board and make sure it does what it promises.
Richard Stakes
Chair
Richard began as a volunteer and joined the board in 2020. He has retired from a career in maths education and still helps students and teachers online.
Juliette Boland
Trustee
Juliette is a community outreach officer at a credit union. She helps people manage money and avoid debt, and used to volunteer at the Saturday Kitchen.
Tim Hiscock
Trustee
Tim joined in September 2025. He is a business adviser and trainer who helps companies grow their exports.
Jane Emery
Trustee
Jane trained as a nurse and founded Nantwich Foodbank. She now helps around ten charities with strategy and volunteers.
A Living Wage Employer
Could your organisation help?
We work with companies, charities and community groups across Cheshire: funding, volunteer days, sponsorship, training and joint projects.