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amazing

staff

We have a fantastic team at The King's Arms; whilst each member has a different skill set, we are all creative, knowledgeable, dedicated and incredibly supportive of our Young People. 

This is the KA team.

Portrait photo Caroline

Caroline Aeschliman

Chief Executive
 

I love being part of the fantastic King’s Arms family - they are committed, energetic, passionate, and giving. They also make me laugh.

 

My lovely husband and I live just outside of Petersfield with our black Lab and 10 chickens. My spare time – in the garden or in front of a film!  I have worked in education, in training and development, in banking, for a leadership development company and ran my own business.  I love the buzz of working around young people and the zing they bring. I also love to hear young people come and tell me their ideas and dreams or just share what's going on in their lives, so please come and talk to me.


Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. People say I’m busy but I’m never too busy for people

  2. I believe in miracles

  3. I like chocolate

Portrait photo Annemarie

Annemarie Woods

Centre Manager
Alton

I have been at King's Arms a looong time and am really thrilled at how it has changed and developed, especially as the focus of being here for young people has remained the same. It feels such a privilege to welcome young people into a great space that belongs to them, where they can feel at home and be themselves.

 

I love learning new games and also playing old ones, particularly group games like ‘Mafia’ – they are the best! My current favourite is Zing – a bit like Twister but with lollipop sticks and carrots.

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Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. I have 4 children; none of them are called Zebedee.

  2. I have tried and failed to do several Tik Tok dances – I challenge anyone to teach me

  3. I have walked 20% of the Scottish coast and hope to walk the rest eventually.

Portrait photo Dom

​Dom Clarke

Centre Manager
Horndean

I first volunteered for KA fifteen years ago. I love the energy and zing that young people bring, and my greatest sense of vocation comes from seeing young people flourish and develop. Most of all I like having fun, hanging out, laughing and chatting. However, it is Mark (fellow KA youth worker) and the crazy scrapes he gets into that makes me laugh the most!  My path towards joining KA includes time engaged in youth counselling, homelessness prevention and church planting. My faith is my secret weapon in life and helps keep me chilled out.​

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Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. I am fanatical about board games and Dungeons and Dragons. I always have a cool game to play.

  2. I have very strange tastes in music. Einsturzende Neubauten anyone? No?

  3. I have loads of tattoos, including one of the great Johnny Cash.

Portrait photo Larisa

Larisa Mendresse-Elder

Centre Manager 
Petersfield

Hi there, I have always worked with young people throughout my career but working at The King’s Arms is definitely my favourite job EVER!  The team are kind and brilliant, the young people are such fun and when I think of how lucky I am to get paid to work here, it makes my heart zing!!!

My favourite hobbies involve music, going to gigs, festivals, camping, eating kebabs, watching Musicals and listening to Whitney Houston.

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Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. I spent a long hot Summer in Havanna, Cuba where I learnt to Salsa, make Mojitos and unintentionally swim with sharks.

  2. I am in the Guinness Book of Records for being part of the longest ‘Conga’.

  3. Working with young people is so important to me and a great privilege because as Whitney Houston once sang…“I believe the children are our future”.

Portrait photo Will

Will Schofield

Operations Manager

I live in Petersfield and my children all went to local schools.

 

After 30 years with Hampshire Police I wanted to make use of my experience to do some-zing that really matters. I cannot think of a better way than supporting and helping young people to fulfil their potential. I particularly enjoy working in a small team where everybody pitches in.

 

I love walking (and the pub lunch afterwards) so you may bump in to me on a nearby footpath (or pub) some time.  What really makes me laugh is watching episodes of Taskmaster.

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Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. I am the youngest of five (all brothers)

  2. I love sailing (and racing) my small sailing dinghy, but seem to capsize a lot

  3. I volunteer for the Young Carers programme here at KA which is fun and rewarding

Portrait photo Lisa

Lisa Hillan

Policies

Pushy?  I prefer ‘passionate’.  Intense?  ‘Focused’ or perhaps ‘motivated’. 

Busy?  ‘Immersed in the community’.

In 2007, we moved from sunny San Diego to leafy Hampshire. With a background in teaching then law, I’ve found my calling in trustee roles with local charities, church volunteer activities, and school governance. 

 

Volunteering with KA took an interesting turn in 2018, when I joined the staff team to set up a second centre in Alton.  Now I manage the Youthlink programme, networking with agencies, schools, charities and other organisations that support young people.


Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. Date nights with my husband usually include live theatre. I take theatre very seriously, especially plays with zing that make me laugh. 

  2. I was an exchange student to Portugal during my final year of high school.

  3. Did I mention that I love theatre?  And musicals.  (Still theatre.)

Portrait photo Sarah

Sarah Beechcroft-Kay

Youth Worker / Project Lead

I have been a youth worker since 2017 when I came back to work after having my little boy. I have loved working at The Kings Arms, getting to know and support so many fantastic young people. I also get to spend time with some of the most fun, interesting and caring colleagues.

 

​Away from KA I love running, being outdoors and having fun with family and friends and most of all, eating yummy food! I really like watching stand-up comedy for a good belly laugh and even better if I get chance to watch live shows!

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Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. I used to be Cabin Crew for British Airways and spent lots of time in the Caribbean.

  2. I have run 5 Marathons

  3. My guilty pleasure is fast food. You can’t beat a McDonalds breakfast or a KFC Zinger Burger!

Portrait photo Mark

Mark Hayward

Youth Worker / Project Lead

I’m a Pompey boy through and through! Most people would say that I’m a positive, uplifting person who brings a bit of zing to every room I step in to.

Growing up, I wasn’t the best behaved youngster, but I had a couple of adults who didn’t give up on me. I want to make sure that I’m that person to the young people of today.

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I have a number of hobbies and things I enjoy doing in my free time including fishing, music and spending time with my wife and two kids Aoife and Josiah.

The King’s Arms is an amazing place to work with a team who genuinely care about you.

​

Here are 3 things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. I can't burp! (Literally!)

  2. I once played in a couple of bands and toured round Europe and the UK.

  3. I HATE MUSHROOMS!

Portrait photo David

David Loveless

Youth Worker / Project Lead

I’ve been doing youth work in Petersfield since 2014 and have been full time at KA since 2023. I love working here with the team and getting to know and support the young people. I love seeing young people grow and achieve things they didn’t even think possible.

 

When not at KA I love cooking, playing games, going to gym, playing/listening to music and spending time with friends and family.

 

Here are 3 things you’ve always wanted to know about me:

  1. I am deaf in one ear.

  2. I love playing board games and TTRPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.

  3. I really do listen to a lot of music I currently have 21558 liked songs on Spotify!

Portrait photo Naomi

Naomi Corlett

Youth Worker / Project Lead

I have lived in the Alton area my whole life. I have 3 amazing sisters that I’ve always been super close with growing up over the years and my mum and dad would definitely say our home was always full of lots of noise and laugher. I’m passionate about helping others to feel seen, heard and loved and I’ve longed to have a career that gives back to others, helping them reach their full potential and show that kindness can make the biggest difference in anyone’s life, no matter how big or small that act of kindness may be.

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I really love to keep busy with new adventures, passions and activities that I spend my free time doing such as reading, art, music, baking/cooking, anything to do with nature/being outdoors and my faith which is a big part of who I am.

 

Here are three things you always wanted to know about me:

  1. I love learning about skincare, health/wellbeing, fitness and organisation tips.

  2. I taught myself how to play ukulele and guitar in my late teens.

  3. One day I would love to live by the sea, Cornwall would be the dream, as I feel a real zing and zest for life when surfing in the sea and being on the beach.

Portrait photo Heather

Heather Burrows

Youth Worker 

I started my role as a youth worker by volunteering at the Kings Arms whilst my children were young. In a short space of time, I realised that youth work was what I was meant to be doing, especially alongside the passionate team at KA.

 

I moved to England from South Africa at the age of 13 with my mom and sister, and really wish I’d had a resource like KA for support. With a background in hospitality, I’ve always loved working with people. I believe that energy is infectious - mine is usually positive and high!

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Here are three things you always wanted to know about me:

1) I am a qualified SCUBA diving instructor and have worked in places such as Floridakeys and Greece

2) I love exploring new places with my husband, two boys, and dog (Maddy)

3) I’m always the one on the dancefloor

Portrait photo Jono

Jono Hall

Youth Worker 

I have a master’s degree in Genetics, so youth work was naturally the obvious next step for me. While I enjoy my role because my mental age is not too far off that of the young people I work with, the most rewarding part is seeing the positive impact you have on their lives.

 

When I’m not playing pool at the Kings Arms, you will usually find me struggling to watch a film in one sitting, getting lost in my car, or trying to convince myself that I enjoy running.

 

Here are 3 things you’ve always wanted to know about me:

1. We have 8 different types of pets in my house (including a pet rats).

2. There is one particular Just Dance song that my family has spent over a decade trying to beat each other’s high score on.

3. I’m scared of 99.9% of animals.

Portrait photo Soph

Soph 
Penson

Admin + Comms + Youth Worker 

I’m originally from the Isle of Wight and moved to Petersfield in 2023, and it has quickly become home. I’m married to Seb, and we share our days with our chickens, ducks, and our determined three-legged cat, Snowy. I became a Christian as an adult, and my faith now plays a big part in who I am and how I care for others.

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I enjoy working with young people because they’re full of surprising thoughts, energy, and humour. They keep me on my toes, and I value being someone they can trust, talk to, and feel supported by.

​

Here are three things you always wanted to know about me:

1. I love being outdoors—I swim all year round in the sea

2. Our neighbours are alpacas

3. On my days off you will find me experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen

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