London & North West Thames
Jennifer Bird
Joint Regional Rep (London & NW Thames)
Jenn stumbled into the Volunteer Management profession during her time volunteering at Helen & Douglas House in Oxford whilst working in HR for a childcare company. She then started as the Volunteer Services Manager at St Luke’s Hospice in Harrow, two years later moving to Thames Hospice in Windsor where she has worked for the past nine years as the Head of Volunteering and later the Head of Major HR Projects & Volunteering.
Jenn joined the HVMN Exec team in 2016 as Regional Development Forum Chair supporting the Regional Reps but has since supported on projects for HVMN around the website, securing freelance support, rebranding and is currently part of the Conference sub committee. She has also been Regional Rep for the London & North West Thames region.
Su Bennett
Joint Regional Rep (London & NW Thames)
Su has been working in the hospice sector since 2018, beginning her journey at The Hospice of St Francis. Her decision to join the hospice was deeply personal, inspired by the compassionate care her mum and family received there in 2016. She is now proud to be part of the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity team in Aylesbury.
Before transitioning into hospice care, Su built a successful career as an Executive Assistant with a multinational luxury retail clothing brand. During that time, she played a key role in organising corporate fundraising events and leading local social responsibility initiatives.
Su’s passion for volunteering began at just 16, when she helped in her local charity shop and supported Mencap holiday schemes. This early experience sparked a lifelong dedication to volunteering. Over the years, she has enjoyed volunteering her time to a range of organisations, including the NCT, Girlguiding, and the Scouts, as well as various informal community roles. Her connection with The Hospice of St Francis ultimately inspired her to change careers and move into volunteer management—a decision she has never regretted.
Su joined the HVMN Executive Team after attending one of its inspirational conferences. She values the incredible support the network offers to its members and is passionate about contributing to this vibrant community and has recently taken on the role of Secretary for the Executive Team.