
Meet Our Team
At Sheffield Women’s Aid, you'll find a wonderful team of caring and dedicated women, always here to support our service users. Our Senior Staff team brings together over four decades of valuable industry experience, ensuring you're in capable hands..
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Hollie Venn
Chief Executive
Hollie joined SWA as our CEO in 2021 and has over 22 years experience of working in the domestic abuse and homelessness sectors.
Hollie started her career as a support worker in a day centre for homeless people and has developed her leadership career to include working in senior roles within national, regional and local charities/organisations. Hollie holds an MSc in Health and Social Care Leadership, where her dissertation focussed on women’s lived experience of leadership.
Hollie sees her role at SWA as an immense privilege to be able to undertake and recognises that working with survivors and families in a specialist domestic abuse charity can make a real difference in people’s lives.
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Janet Goodinson
Head of Operations
Janet joined SWA in September 2022, and has a 20-year background in Domestic Abuse Support.
Before coming to SWA she held various roles and her interest in social care was rekindled after volunteering with Women's Aid in the early 2000s. Janet was deeply moved by the women and children she supported and eventually transitioned to become a front-line support worker, volunteer coordinator, and later a manager.
Janet’s journey led her to SWA, where she currently holds the position of Head of Operations. She has undergone social care and leadership training, including Safelives Domestic Abuse Service Managers qualification.
Janet finds great fulfilment in her work, considering it an honour to be part of a dedicated team and to empower survivors through her role.
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Julie O'Rourke
Lead Practitioner
Julie has been with Women's Aid since 1994 making her the longest serving member of the team.
Julie feels privileged to support women and children escaping domestic abuse and considers her career fulfilling. She praises Sheffield Women's Aid for its impactful specialist services. Julie's work history includes jobs in a bakery, market, and as a nurse for individuals with Learning Difficulties and Mental Health conditions. She joined the youth service, focusing on Teenage Pregnancy groups and outreach to young men.
Julie also provided support to women in the sex industry, offering essentials while driving through Sheffield. Her diverse experiences have shaped her into a dedicated advocate for women's well-being.
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Kiera Lambert
Lead Practitioner
Kiera joined Sheffield Women’s Aid in 2025 bringing with her a strong background in community support and social justice.
After completing a BA in Politics and Sociology, she began her career engaging with council tenants and organising community events for local residents following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. She later worked with women involved in the Criminal Justice System, providing support around housing, mental wellbeing, trauma, and other complex needs.
Building on this experience, Kiera became the lead for both mental health and equality, diversity, and inclusion at a local young person’s substance misuse organisation, while also completing her MSc in Psychology. Kiera is passionate about developing inclusive, trauma-informed support services and sees her role at Sheffield Women’s Aid as the perfect opportunity to bring together her values and skills to make a meaningful impact.
Join the team
Are you passionate about improving the lives of women and children who have experienced domestic abuse?
Want to work within a friendly and supportive team with chances to expand your role and increase your level of training?
A career with Sheffield Women’s Aid could be for you!
Check out our current vacancies, we can’t wait to meet you!

Contact Us
mail@sheffieldwomensaid.org.uk