About us
The People Matter Charitable Trust was set up by local Christians in 1997 to provide quality information, advice and guidance and practical help to jobseekers in Eastbourne and surrounding areas.
We exist so that people have an opportunity to find or retain meaningful and satisfying work through personal support, practical help, information, advice, guidance and encouragement.
We aim to constantly strive for excellence and endeavour to work to the highest possible standards.
Watch a video about our work here.
Accreditations, Awards and Accolades
In June 2022 we were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups. Read more here.
In January 2022 we were awarded the Matrix Quality Standard for the seventh time.
We are accredited until February 2025.
We are a Disability Confident Employer –
our badge is valid till December 2025.
In September 2024 we received certificates of assurance that we comply with the requirements of the Cyber Essentials scheme.
You can view confirmation of our Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification (search for ‘The People Matter Trust Ltd’)
Member of Sussex Council of Training Providers (SCTP)
Member of EDAC (Employer Domestic Abuse Covenant) 
What we do
We provide a personalised service to jobseekers over the course of several hourly sessions.
The initial session is spent getting to know the jobseeker, understanding their skills and type of work they are suited for and explaining the further help available.
Our highly skilled team of advisers provide help with CV writing, career guidance, signposting to business start-up advice, job search, applications and letters to employers. We can also arrange a mock interview with feedback. We offer a wide range of workshops and signpost to external training opportunities. Our Job Club facilitators provide support with looking for work and applications. To support our client’s mental wellbeing, we offer a confidential listening service.
Prospective employers find that our clients are job-ready and potentially suitable candidates for employment.
We help people in East Sussex with an immigration status to transition from physical documents to an online eVisa.
Testimonials
“The wonderful, committed and KIND volunteers at People Matter have made a massive difference to my life on many levels and I cannot thank them enough. The services they provide are invaluable and I hope more people will have their working lives enhanced by them, as I have”.
Donna M.
I love my job and People Matter really did change my life”.
Brian B.
Through practical, social and emotional support to jobseekers like Donna and Brian, we help people realise their full potential so that they have an opportunity to find and retain meaningful and satisfying work, or access appropriate training opportunities.
Who we are
Our day to day work with jobseekers is provided by our team of experienced and qualified Advisers, our work with employers is provided by our Working for You Team and managed by our management team. We are also supported by a number of other volunteers who provide cover on reception, in finance, data inputting, our listening service, workshops and looking after our building.
Alongside our Board of Trustees who oversee our work, we are delighted to have an Advisory Panel involving influential and top business people in the town.
Management Team
Ann Gillard – CEO
Ann joined the team at People Matter in 2003, became our Deputy Manager in 2005 and has been our CEO since 2013. Ann achieved the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development in 2012 and is keen to help jobseekers to identify and then achieve their potential. Ann previously worked in management roles for a large public sector organisation based in London. Ann enjoys spending quality time with family, friends and her crazy dogs on the beautiful South Downs.
Carol Hyatt – Director of Operations
Carol joined People Matter as a volunteer in 2011 and became our Director of Operations in 2020. Carol previously worked in the social housing sector for over 30 years in various operational and strategic roles, and latterly through her own housing consultancy business. Over the years, Carol has supported the People Matter team and clients in a variety of ways: facilitating our job club, website development and maintenance, HR administration, delivering our Getting a Job and 50+ workshops, creating and teaching our Basic IT skills for Jobseekers course. Carol has a PGCE Level 7 teaching qualification, an MA in Education and in 2021 achieved the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development to support her current role.
Amanda Hughes – Operations Manager and Senior Careers Adviser
Amanda joined the team in 2010 after moving to the area. She previously worked as a secretary at an Independent school and also as a PA to the Managing Director of a furniture company in Hertfordshire. Amanda played a key role in the development of our Job Club and also took on the role of Management PA and Secretary to our Board of Trustees. Amanda has a level 6 qualification in careers guidance and provides advice on a one to one basis in our main offices and at our outreach locations. In her spare time, Amanda indulges in her love of arts and crafts.
Nadine Brook – Reception Manager
Nadine joined People Matter in 2012 after returning to the UK from time in South Africa. Nadine has had a long career in administration working in secretarial and PA roles. Nadine is responsible for the smooth running of our reception, greeting clients, booking appointments, training reception volunteers, liaising with advisers and ensuring they have rooms to carry out their duties.
Board of Trustees
Colin Webb
Chairman – Business Plan and Service Delivery
Dawn Baker
Vice Chair – IT
David Ingham
Financial Control
Charles Grimaldi
Marketing and Communications, Premises
Sarah Mackenzie
Service Delivery
Sue Fifield
HR
Advisory Panel
Councillor Josh Babarinde OBE MP
MP for Eastbourne
Tim Cobb DL
Deputy Lieutenant – Eastbourne, MD of Cobb PR
Christina Ewbank
Chief Executive of Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce
Stephen Lloyd
Former Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne
Keith Ridley
Former editor-in-chief for Johnston Press
Marion Shepherd
Retired Deputy Lieutenant – Horam
Councillor David Tutt
Leader of Liberal Democrat Group, East Sussex County Council
Funded and Supported by ...
National Careers Service
– We are a National Careers Service provider and follow the Customer Charter, subcontracted to CXK. For more information about the National Careers Service visit their website
John Jackson Charitable Trust
– supporting our online service delivery 
Sussex Community Foundation
– supporting our outreach to Heathfield
The Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust
– supporting our administration services 
Eastbourne Borough Council Community Grant
– supporting our service delivery in central Eastbourne
Wealden District Council Community Grant
– supporting our service delivery in Hailsham
East Sussex County Council
– supporting our Working for You team and engagement with employers
East Sussex County Council
ESTAR (Employability for Supported & Temporary Accommodation & Refuges)
– supporting our engagement with partners and individuals who are vulnerable
Legacy gifts and donations
– we are grateful to the kind benefactors and donors who generously give funds so that we can continue our work
Volunteer Team
– our team of 30+ volunteers gift over 240 hours per week to the charity in various roles