SCPA is led by a dedicated team of managers, coaches, coordinators and volunteers whose personal experience, professional backgrounds and Christian motivation shape their commitment to tackling poverty across Suffolk. Together they deliver debt advice, money education, life skills and employment support, offering compassion, expertise and hope to local communities.
Laura Knight – SCPA Manager
Laura grew up in Cambridge and moved to Southwold, Suffolk, at 16. After university she moved to London and trained as an English teacher, living in Tooting and Streatham for nearly 20 years. Eight years ago she returned to Southwold with her husband and their two children. She continued teaching in Suffolk until 2021, when she joined Suffolk Coastal Poverty Action. She finds it exciting to be part of such a powerful and growing mission, and to work with CAP, an amazing charity with an inspiring mission statement: “Transforming lives, inspiring churches and an end to UK poverty.”
Doug Fletcher – SCPA Administrator
Doug and his wife, Christine, moved to Suffolk from Horsham, West Sussex, in December 2016. He is a member of Quay Church in Woodbridge. During his time in Horsham, he managed a Christian Centre for 20 years and played an active role in establishing and running an independent Debt Advice Centre for the local churches. His role within Suffolk Coastal Poverty Action is primarily administrative as part of the Leadership Team, and he also serves as a Debt First Responder.
Chris Cotton – Debt Coach
Chris was born in the East End of London in 1951 and grew up in a loving, caring family. He was the first in his family to go to university, gaining a degree in Mathematics. Chris married Carol, and they lived in Manchester for nearly 40 years before moving to Suffolk in 2015. As a member of SKC Church in Saxmundham, he believes that Jesus calls us to help those in need wherever we can. He is delighted to serve as a Debt Coach with Christians Against Poverty, contributing to a charity that provides free, professional financial support to anyone who needs it
Helen Peats – Schools Money Course Coordinator
Helen grew up in Surrey and trained as a Primary School teacher at university in South Wales. After completing her degree, she moved to Suffolk to begin her teaching career, which continued for many years in Ipswich. She has always viewed teaching as a vocation—an opportunity to make a meaningful difference, however small, in the lives of the children she taught. She is excited to be part of the SCPA team as Schools Money Course Coordinator, visiting schools across the area to deliver CAP’s Schools Money programme to Year 5 and 6 pupils and helping them develop essential money skills for the future.
Julia Rose – CAP Life Skills Manager
Julia spent many years teaching Maths and ICT before retiring, and now enjoys time with her grandchildren, selling fair trade, supporting her church in Framlingham with admin, and a variety of other interests. When her children were young, her husband’s business collapsed, leaving the family in a financial crisis and costing them their home—an experience that gave her a deep understanding of what it means to struggle financially and a wish that CAP Money had been available at the time.
She has helped run CAP Money Courses for many years and has seen people from all backgrounds benefit from the structure and online budgeting tools. In 2024 she became CAP Life Skills Manager, joining an experienced team. She values the course’s holistic approach, supporting the whole person and building community through shared meals. Her work with CAP is part of her response to Christ’s call to bring good news to the poor and set the captives free.
Keith Pickersgill – CAP Money Courses Coordinator
Keith and his wife, Christine, moved to Suffolk with their three children in 1991. After experiencing severe financial difficulties in 1995, including losing their home, they worked their own way out of debt, as CAP did not yet exist. By 2001 they were able to buy a home in Melton, where they now live and attend the Avenue Evangelical Church in Woodbridge.
His experience of debt gave him a lasting passion to help others. After discovering CAP’s work, he became a CAP Befriender, trained as a CAP Speaker, and shared CAP’s mission across Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Now a trained CAP Money Coach and Money Courses Coordinator, he is committed to helping people in Suffolk manage their money well and avoid the challenges he once faced.
Rev. Nic Stuchfield – Chair
Nic is Assistant Priest at SKC Church (Saxmundham and Kelsale) and was one of the key people involved in establishing what is now Suffolk Coastal Poverty Action in 2017–18. He recognises that debt distress is an increasingly common issue, with many families in Britain living on the edge financially and vulnerable to pressures that encourage spending beyond their means. What may seem manageable in stable times can quickly become overwhelming when crises such as unemployment, illness or family breakdown occur, often trapping households in unmanageable debt.
Nic believes deeply that the Christian Gospel is a Gospel of love—expressed both in God’s care for the world and in the call to love those in need. He sees both SCPA and Christians Against Poverty as powerful expressions of that love in action and is honoured to serve as Chair.
Peter Marett – CAP Life Skills Leader
Peter is a retired teacher with experience in Secondary and Further Education, where he taught a range of vocational subjects including Business Studies and Health and Social Care. He also organised PSHE and Careers Education programmes, as well as youth activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award. He and his wife fostered children for around 20 years, and he now works part‑time for Social Services in Essex and Suffolk. He enjoys gardening and attends the Anglican parish church in his village.
Rebecca Parkes – Employment Support Manager
Rebecca grew up in Essex but has lived in Suffolk since 2000, when she began her career as a Primary School teacher. She is married to Mike, and they have three teenage children. She is delighted that Suffolk Coastal Poverty Action has been able to expand its services to include employment support. As Employment Support Manager, she is committed to helping people break free from cycles of poverty and to supporting them as they look to their future with hope and excitement.
Simon Bowles – Debt Coach (in training)
Simon grew up in north London and abroad, and has spent most of his working life as a Physics and Science teacher in Essex. After moving to Suffolk in 2015, he is delighted to be joining the team as a Debt Coach (in training).
