Alternative Angels: Feeding the Homeless | Learn About Our Charity and Mission

About Us

Our Mission

Welcome to Alternative Angels, where our mission is clear: to provide Swindon's homeless and most vulnerable residents with a secure and welcoming space where they can enjoy hot nourishing meals. Beyond serving food, we are dedicated to fostering a sense of community and offering a compassionate ear for those who need it most. We provide not just meals but also vital support, guidance, and connections to essential services.

Our Beneficiaries

Many of the individuals we serve have faced significant life disruptions due to abusive relationships, homelessness, or addiction to drugs or alcohol. We're here to offer them a lifeline and hopefully a path toward rebuilding their lives.

Our Commitment

As a registered charity, we have met the rigorous criteria established by the Charity Commission office and HMRC. In the face of the current cost of living crisis, we are witnessing an alarming rise in the number of people requiring our assistance, with many already living in conditions of food poverty.

Our commitment is unwavering, and we are actively engaged in diverse fundraising endeavours and a wide range of activities and events. Through these efforts, we aim to not only maintain but also expand our support for the vulnerable in Swindon, with plans for new initiatives in 2024.

Our Team

At the heart of our mission are our dedicated volunteers, trustees and supporters. We recognise and greatly appreciate their invaluable contribution. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our charity, and their unwavering commitment plays a vital role in making a difference in the Swindon community. We are driven by compassion, fuelled by the dedication of our community, and inspired by the positive changes we can make together.

Join us in making a difference!

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Meet the Team

Get to know the dedicated individuals driving our mission forward, from our founder and CEO to the amazing members of our Board of Trustees.

Founder and CEO

Jane Richards

Jane is the driving force behind Alternative Angels, driven by a passion to make a positive impact and better the Swindon community. Her commitment to helping those in need has already made a significant difference in the lives of many vulnerable individuals who rely on Alternative Angels' services. Through her work, Jane has built a strong network of personal and professional connections with community leaders in Swindon. Looking forward, Jane is focused on building a sustainable future for Alternative Angels by maintaining ongoing fundraising initiatives and expanding the organisation's presence within the community.

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Anna Somaiya

Anna brings extensive technology, business, and people leadership experience, having operated at both C-suite executive and board levels within the big4 firms and across a variety of industries. A lifelong resident of Swindon, she is deeply passionate about making a difference in her community. Anna has been a dedicated supporter of Alternative Angels for several years, and since joining as a trustee, she has played a pivotal role in operationalising the charity's practices and setting the stage for its future growth. Her wealth of business experience and commitment to making a difference are invaluable assets to Alternative Angels.

Member of the Board of Trustees

Cara Hiscock

Cara's wealth of expertise in compliance and board governance equips her with a depth of professional knowledge that is invaluable to the Board of Trustees at Alternative Angels. Her commitment to ensuring our charity navigates regulatory requirements with precision and integrity is at the heart of her role. Beyond her duties as a trustee, Cara is also a dedicated volunteer for Alternative Angels, serving meals to Swindon's most vulnerable every Tuesday evening, truely making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Member of the Board of Trustees

Gemma Bolton

With two decades of experience in project management and marketing, Gemma brings a wealth of experience in both large global corporations and small business environments. Her passion, complemented by her diverse IT knowledge, has been a driving force in elevating our charity's digital marketing reach and engagement. Gemma wears two hats within the Alternative Angels community: as a volunteer cook, preparing home-cooked meals for our beneficiaries, and as a valued member of the Board of Trustees.