About Us | PW Community Advice

Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre began operating in April 2012.

To read more about the advice we give and the value we generate for our clients, please read our recent Stakeholders Letter and our 2023 Annual Report. You can also visit our News page for recent Newsletters and interesting articles and our Case Studies page to look at some examples of our work.

We are:

a Registered Charity (1147816)
a Company Limited by Guarantee (08006468)
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 618816)
a member of Advice UK, the UK’s largest support network for free, independent advice centres
registered with the Money Advice Trust, rightsnet and National Homelessness Advice Service.

Every year, we carry out a client satisfaction survey...

100% of clients that responded to our recent survey said that they were:

Happy with our opening hours
Able to obtain the advice/information when they needed it
Had enough time to discuss their issue
Understood the advice/information given to them

They would all recommend our service to others.

“I am very satisfied with the service. Pleasant and very helpful.”

“Knowledgeable, patient and compassionate. I am very glad I came here today.”
“Brilliant service.”

Our Trustees are:

Martin Pengelley (Chair)

Martin was born in Tunbridge Wells and has lived near to Paddock Wood for over 30 years. He is a chartered accountant and is semi retired after a career in finance. Martin was a trustee of a local school for 15 years.

Alison Cain (Deputy Chair)

Alison was born and grew-up in Kent, and presently lives close to Paddock Wood with her family. She is a chartered accountant by training and has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years, including 7 years overseas.

David Ritchie (Treasurer)

David has been a Trustee since 2015. He has lived with his family in Hunton, near Paddock Wood, for the last 20 years. David is a chartered accountant and has enjoyed a long career in housing development including being CEO of Bovis Homes and now CEO of WElink Homes. David is also involved in delivering much needed new care home developments across the south of England.

Sarah Hamilton

Sarah was born in Tunbridge Wells and currently lives in Paddock Wood. She has been a Town Councillor, Borough Councillor and currently is the County Councillor for Tunbridge Wells Rural division. Sarah is also a School Governor. Her career has including teaching in Higher Education. Sarah is a passionate supporter of animal welfare.

Robert Machell

Robert has lived close to Paddock Wood for over 20 years. He is a practising barrister, a third career after serving in the army and then working in finance. Having previously volunteered as an adviser at PWCAC, Robert became a trustee in 2023.

We would like to thank our Supporters (in alphabetical order):

Advice UK

AKO Foundation

Brenchley Choral Society

Brenchley & Matfield Parish Council

Capel Parish Council

Colebrook Fund

CPAG Training Bursary

East Peckham Parish Council

Frogs Hole Fund

Geosolutions Ltd

Goudhurst Parish Council