Carole celebrates 20 years
As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we are featuring Carole Edwards, our former CEO. She has been been with us for all those years. This will be her final year. And now, Carole celebrates 20 years of growth.
I’m looking forward to celebrating our 20th and I will then retire in November. I’m confident that the charity is in a strong position for the next stage of growth.
We cannot thank Carole enough for all her hard work, commitment and perseverance.
Carole’s early career
Carole is a Plymouth girl, born and bred. Her early career was in banking and prior to joining CASS+, a freelance market researcher. As a single mum, she started to look for a new challenge. As a result, she started her criminal justice journey as a volunteer in prisons and probation in Plymouth in 2003.
The launch of the first in-court hub in Bodmin
Carole met Sue Caley of the Prison Advice and Care Trust at the launch of the first in-court hub in Bodmin in 2005. Sue asked her to manage the independent in-court service. Two years later, Mary Anne McFarlane gave Carole the opportunity to work alongside the Probation Volunteer Coordinator as an employee two days a week. This was the start of Carole’s career (first with the Prison Advice and Care Trust and then with Rethink), leading us, growing our income, and becoming an independent charity.
Volunteering opens doors
As a result of this experience, Carole understands that volunteering opens doors and opportunities. In the early days, she was fortunate to have received exemplary training as a probation volunteer. As a result, Carole followed suit and ensured exemplary training to all our volunteers. On top of this, they get fantastic work and life experience for working in the justice system.
We could not have done this without the dedication of our incredible volunteers.
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Receiving the Queen’s Award for Volunteering in 2017, followed by a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, was a real highlight – recognition for all the hard work that everyone had put in.
CEO for nine years
Carole has always led the organisation, but she was formally the CEO for nine years. She recently stepped down to concentrate on applications to grants, trusts, and foundations. Over the years, she has raised around £2.5 million, enabling CASS+ to be here for people in crisis at court, reducing the risk of re-offending.
Carole picks up
Carole celebrates 20 years of growth. Carole picks up:
‘I’m proud to have been here right from the start. I feel so honoured to have played my part in shaping this unique service within the Justice System in Devon and Cornwall.
Seeing lives change
I’ve been here long enough to see the change in people’s lives, particularly our volunteers and clients. In addition, the way so many people have shaken off the stigma of prison.
A privilege
It’s such a privilege to have been a part of their journeys. For me, it’s all about the courage of the people who have turned their lives around. I’m genuinely invested in working with vulnerable people.
Just because you face court, your life is not over.
These people are living proof that, just because you face court and prison, your life is NOT over.
CASS+ has come of age and I am so looking forward to seeing the charity go from strength to strength over the next 20 years.’
Watch Carole’s film
Watch Carole’s film here.
Thank you, Carole
Thank you, Carole for all your leadership over the last 20 years.