Our team

Paul Cook – Chief Executive

Paul Cook took on the role of Chief Executive of The Road Victims Trust in January 2024. Previously, Paul served 30 years as a Police Officer with Bedfordshire Police, retiring at the rank of Detective Chief Inspector. He spent a further five years with Bedfordshire Police in a child safeguarding role. During his police service, he worked throughout Bedfordshire and his past experiences include Roads Policing and Collision Investigation, Child Abuse Investigations, Domestic Abuse and more widely, working with key partners to protect the most vulnerable. He has been passionate about ensuring the needs of victims and their families are of paramount importance. Paul is married to Erika and they live in Bedfordshire.

Sam Baker – Director Of Operations

Sam Baker joined the Road Victims Trust in January 2024 to take on the new organisational role of Director of Operations. He has a background in charity operations, fundraising and project management, with extensive experience of constructive relationship-building across the private, public and third sectors. His role provides a wide range of support for the RVT’s frontline staff, enabling them to concentrate on delivering the highest levels of care, as well as being involved with fundraising. A previous career in education gave him a deep insight into local issues and he maintains a keen interest and involvement in the wellbeing and social opportunities of families and young people. A longstanding Bedfordian, Sam appreciates all that the town and county have to offer for bringing up a family and for supporting great community and charitable initiatives.

Sarika Shah – Administrator

Sarika joined RVT in August 2023 as an Administrator, whilst also working for various charitable organisations dealing with things like events management, admin and community support. Sarika’s working days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday where she handles various office duties from answering phones, processing invoices and donations to helping with events, fundraising and getting involved with website and social media. Sarika is very passionate about doing good in the community, helping people in any way that she can and is excited to involve the invaluable work RVT does in this.

Michelle White – Clinical Service Administrator

Michelle joined the organisation in April 2024 as an Administrator to the Clinical Service team, having previously worked as a Coordinator for RVT she was keen to come back and get involved in a new role. Michelle’s working days are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday where she deals with various duties regarding referrals.

Amy Barrett – Administrator

Amy joined RVT in May 2024 as an Administrator, after working for HMPPS for 9 years. Amy’s working days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday where she deals with office duties such as answering the phones, processing invoices and donations to helping with events and getting involved with fundraising.

Sarah Jones – Clinical Services Lead

Sarah has been with The Road Victims Trust since 2010 when she joined as a Counselling Volunteer. She became a Coordinator in 2013 after qualifying as a Counsellor in 2012. She is now a qualified Clinical Supervisor for the Trust and also trains new Counselling Volunteers. Sarah’s core training was in Humanistic Therapeutic Counselling and incorporated person-centred, gestalt and existential modalities. She has since engaged in further training in different areas of trauma and bereavement. In addition to her work with The Trust, she has a private practice and is also a tutor for an independent counselling training organisation. She has previously worked as a Listening Volunteer for Samaritans and in an agency that receives referrals from GP’s. Sarah is passionate about her work and feels privileged to have such meaningful contact with Clients, Volunteers, Colleagues, Police and others involved with The Trust.

Lucy Hancock – LEAD COORDINATOR

Lucy began as a Counselling Volunteer with RVT in 2015 while she was training and was then appointed as a Coordinator in 2017. Since qualifying as an Integrative Counsellor Lucy has worked in private practice and in mental health alongside her volunteer work. Being an Integrative Counsellor means that Lucy’s counselling approach is Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Existential. As well as experience in bereavement and trauma work Lucy also has experience working in addictions and mental health. Lucy is also a Clinical Supervisor for the trust and delivers training to new volunteers.

Janet Cantor – Lead Coordinator

Janet started her work with RVT as a Counselling Volunteer in 2011. She trained in bereavement and trauma and joined the Coordinator team in 2019 after qualifying as an Integrative Counsellor. The focus of Janet’s training is in Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Existential approaches.

Diana Joy – Senior Coordinator

Diana became involved with The Road Victims Trust in 2015 when she joined as a counselling volunteer and in 2017 became a Coordinator. Diana’s training background is integrative with her main focus being of a client centred humanistic and psychodynamic approach and she has since had further training in other areas of trauma and bereavement. Diana has previously worked as a listening ear for the Samaritans and as a counselling volunteer supporting parents with young children within a children’s centre. She has also worked in mental health with mature adults for several years.

Vicky Rankin – Senior Coordinator

Vicky has been with the RVT since 2018 working as a Co-ordinator and a Counsellor. She trained as a Humanistic Counsellor, incorporating Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Transactional Analysis. Since joining RVT she has participated in additional trauma and bereavement training. She also volunteers as a Counsellor with Bedford Community Counselling.

Andy Rouse – Coordinator

Andy trained as a counselling volunteer with RVT in 2022 and was appointed as a coordinator in 2024.  Andy works with a person-centred, humanistic approach. Previously to working with RVT Andy was a residential child care worker. Working with young people in various states of trauma. Andy also has a voluntary service role with 2 other non-profit community/self-help organisations.

Jenny Howard – Coordinator

Jenny joined RVT as a counselling volunteer in May 2024 and when an opportunity opened within RVT she joined the team as a Coordinator in September 2024. Jenny’s work is focused on the Humanistic approach, also know as Person Centred Therapy. She is trauma informed trained and incorporates this into her work. Jenny also volunteers with The Butterfly Room in Stevenage which is a therapeutic base for children and young people. In previous roles she has worked closely with teenagers that present with complex needs, behaviours and backgrounds including trauma and bereavement.