As our finance and admin assistant, Natalie provides effective support to enable us to provide high quality services to our members.

Natalie joins us from Cardiff Council's Housing Options team where she was a Housing Options Officer so she is familiar with that part of the sector already.

Natalie studied Popular Music at the University of South Wales and continues to enjoy listening to a variety of music from hip-hop to jazz, and from dance to soul music. Natalie is a volunteer dog-walker for Cardiff Dogs Home and enjoys getting her teeth into a good crime documentary or passing the time gaming.

Katie's role is to provide strategic leadership, represent Cymorth's membership, promote the sector and champion the voice of people who use our members' services in Wales. It also includes the development of Cymorth in line with the organisation's values and our governance framework, meeting our obligations as a company, employer and charity.

Katie has ten years' experience as a campaigner and policy operative, and in her first six months at Cymorth she has provided a strong voice for members on Supporting People funding, Rent Smart Wales, and welfare reforms to supported accommodation. Her focus is on working with members and people who use services to support the sector to have the maximum positive impact on people's lives.

Katie joined the organisation after five years as Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Gofal, one of Wales' leading mental health charities. During this time, Katie worked with the Welsh Government, public and third sector organisations and service users to influence a range of policy and legislation in health, housing and criminal justice.

Prior to this, Katie was the President of the National Union of Students in Wales, where she successfully campaigned to increase student support and protect Welsh students from £9,000 tuition fees. She was also led the 'Students Say Yes' campaign and was a member of the 'Yes for Wales' national campaign steering group for the 2011 referendum on primary law making powers. Katie has also served as a Board member of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Cymru Yfory and Cadwyn Housing Association.

Gareth is Cymorth Cymru's Research Officer, working on a collaborative project with Cardiff Metropolitan University supported by the Oak Foundation. He is conducting research on the human and financial impact of homelessness and housing-related support services in Wales.

Gareth was born and raised in Madrid before moving to Swansea to complete his degree in International Relations & Modern History. Gareth is currently finalising his Masters also at Swansea, which also included a semester at Texas A&M University.

In his spare time, Gareth is an editor and contributor for the online database Tanks Encyclopedia.

Alex is Cymorth Cymru's Housing First and Lived Experience Manager. He will be working to implement Housing First accreditation, and to ensure that the Housing First methodology can flourish across Wales. A key part of this is establishing relationships with support providers, highlighting good practice, and assessing challenges. Alex also manages our Experts by Experience project, looking to ensure that the views of people who have experienced homelessness can impact policy in Wales.

Alex is not new to the housing and homelessness sector, having worked in research and policy for The Wallich for several years. Prior to this, he worked in Higher Education, teaching academic writing and research methods. He is also a published author.

When he isn't about Housing First, he is about movies, videogames and music second.

Freya leads our Experts By Experience project, ensuring that people with lived experience of homelessness have a real impact on Welsh policy. 

Combining her BA in Branding from University of the Arts London and her interest in trauma-informed approaches, she previously led on a housing organizational re-brand. The project included hosting workshops with tenants and service users and focused on creating accessible design, digitalization of services and development of inclusive language. Freya brings her passion and experience in working with people who use housing support services to our Experts By Experience Project.

In her spare time, Freya enjoys music, reading and scouring vintage and second-hand shops.

Mandy's role is to represent members, keep them updated with recent and existing policy, and to look at ways in which Cymorth Cymru can continue to support our wide network of members.

Mandy is a qualified information professional with over 15 years' experience of working on policy development with public, third sector and membership organisations across Wales and the wider UK. Mandy has worked on development strategies for departments in both the Westminster and Welsh Governments and has experience of building and supporting networks, developing awareness campaigns and organising events and conferences.

Mandy is interested in access to information, theatre and comedy.

Tanya has a BA in Journalism from Cardiff University. After previously interning with Cymorth Cymru, she has gone on to gain experience in communications and marketing, most recently in the international humanitarian sector. She has a particular interest in LGBTQ+ communities and trauma-informed approaches as they relate to housing and homelessness.

In her spare time Tanya enjoys music, horror movies, writing, gardening, and pottery.

Maria has worked in the charity sector for many years, supporting a variety of vulnerable groups -including adults with learning difficulties in supported housing; children and families; general and sheltered housing; and older people, and feel passionate about helping others to gain and maintain their ability to live independently in their own home, with the support they need. 

Being responsible for managing the finances, especially during 'Covid times', is no easy matter, but Maria's glass is always 'half full' and she hope that some good and positivity will follow, as never before has the need to have somewhere to live been so important. 

When not in work, Maria is studying to complete her professional Chartered Management Accountant qualifications, raising two teenagers and finding time to follow her interests of archaeology, history, castles and star gazing. But she is really waiting to be discovered as a singer/songwriter! Her favourite place to be, is in her touring caravan, having a cup of tea, looking at the sea. Freedom!