About us

Meet Karen...

My role here at International Needs is PA to Peter the UK Director, but I also get involved with other things including helping to organise many of our UK events.

I started with International Needs in 1999, when I joined the team initially for just a few hours each week, typing letters for Peter. The role has just grown from there as International Needs has grown.

Before coming to International Needs my main employment had been with the Halifax Building Society at their Streatham and London Strand offices. I left the Halifax when my daughter Joanne was born and was very fortunate to have been a full-time mum until my second daughter Lauren was six months old. I then had several part-time jobs, which were flexible enough to fit in around my husband Steve’s shift work (he’s a fireman) and Grandparents availability to baby-sit.

Passions

The most rewarding times for me in my role are when I hear stories of people who have been helped by International Needs projects. I find it completely amazing each time I hear how lives are so dramatically improved because of what we do.

I have had the privilege of being able to meet many of our overseas partners and I am continually inspired by their dedication and enthusiasm for the work and especially for the people they are helping.

I’m passionate about my family, my friends and my home-group activities. I’m also really passionate about pizza – but I try to limit this to Friday evenings only!

I really enjoy getting away from the town and one of my favourite things is walking either at the beach or in the countryside. I am very fortunate to live close to Kingswood and I often walk there after work.