Our Leadership Team
CEO
Phillip Noall
Following an 18-year career in Banking that took me all over the South West of England I joined Freedom Social Projects in 2003 as project manager when it was a ministry of Freedom Church. Having no prior experience of working in the homelessness and addiction field, I studied day release over the next 12 months for the ‘Advanced Certificate in Substance Misuse Practitioner Skills’ which was a great introduction and foundation for what was to come.
Freedom Community Alliance was constituted as an independent charity in 2008 and since that time I have been directly involved in all aspects of the charities growth and development including the significant refurbishment of the Freedom Centre, the introduction of various forms of supported accommodation, development of strategic partnerships and more recently the exciting Freedom to Move and Freedom to Grow projects.
Despite being CEO and responsible for the strategic direction of the charity, I love to be hands on when I can. This helps me stay connected with all aspects of the charities work and informs me about the changing needs of those we are here to serve. I also get to live out and demonstrate the core values of the charity which are at the heart of all we do.
I am passionate about developing and delivering high quality services that make a real difference in people’s lives. We work with some of the most vulnerable, marginalised and disadvantaged people in our community and having the opportunity to walk alongside them, promoting hope and the chance of a positive future is a privilege.
I feel blessed every day to work alongside an amazing group of dedicated and committed staff.
Operations Manager
Roger Bartlett
I joined the Freedom team in September 2019 having retired from 30 years of policing. My wife and I moved to North Devon in 2000 where we raised our 3, now grown up, children. As a Christian, I was so encouraged to see the work that Freedom was doing in support of many of the individuals I was dealing with as a police officer. Their honesty in realising it is not easy, but their heart to keep doing it anyway was inspiring. When I left the police in 2017, I got involved in two local charities – Amigos and the amazing work they do in Uganda and with Eagle Community – a safe home for those struggling with addiction. It was there I discovered how easy policing was in comparison. It is a privilege to serve as part of such a devoted team seeking to make a difference to the lives of individuals we encounter and to our local community as a result.
Operations Manager, Staffing
Phillip Stapleton
I joined Freedom in 2025, bringing a background in education and a lifelong dedication to helping people grow. As Head of a local school, I had long supported Freedom through community events such as Harvest giving and was deeply impressed by the charity’s impact and the strength of its partnerships. Stepping into the role of Operations Manager felt like a natural extension of my values and experience.
With a career shaped by developing others, understanding individual needs, and fostering cultures of support, my approach aligns closely with Freedom’s vision. My work as a school inspector, training in coaching, and my commitment to integrity and hope, all inform the leadership I bring to the organisation.
At Freedom, I have oversight of and manage the support worker teams in the day centre and supported accommodation. As part of the leadership team I contribute to strategic thinking and planning.
I’m also a member of St Paul’s Church in Tiverton and enjoy numerous hobbies involving sport and music. I’m driven by a belief in seeing the best in people and seeking the best for them. My passion for creative problem‑solving and enthusiasm for community transformation is a good fit with the Freedom team.
Trustees
David Hunt - (Chair) Joined December 2022
Up to my retirement in 2023, I was the local McDonalds Franchisee for 25 years running 6 restaurants in North Devon and Somerset and employing around 600 people. Prior to that I worked for 20 years in the hospitality industry including operations, finance, acquisitions and brand management in Worcester, Lancashire and Yorkshire. I pride myself in looking after my people and focus on training and developing their careers and seeing individuals flourish.
I live with my wife Julie in Marwood and we have an ever increasing family of grandchildren from our 7 children. I feel I can add to the work of the board with my managerial skills along with strategic management thinking and strong people skills.
Pete Ayrton - (Deputy Chair) Joined June 2020
My vocation for the last 30 years + has been as a minister of several churches, working with people from all walks of life. Within those separate ministries I have frequently had contact with people who were either homeless or had addictions. I also worked closely with statutory agencies to help improve the lives of those in need. I journeyed alongside a friend who was a recovering addict, but sadly after 5 years of being clean he died from an overdose. Coming to understand why people end up on the margins of life, I feel an empathy and where possible I try to bring some relief and support in a practical way.
Prior to FCA, I was involved and became a Trustee of Eagle Community – another local Christian charity who welcomed men battling homelessness, alcoholism or drug addiction. This was a smaller charity where I was more hands on in helping with small groups, social activities, etc.
David Halpin - (Safeguarding Lead) Joined June 2023
Now retired, I worked my career as a general practitioner mostly in the Midlands and later in Barnstaple but also in Nepal many years ago. My wife is a Parish nurse and deacon in our local church. We have 4 grown up children and 8 grandchildren.
I became a Christian in my teens and am now a licensed lay minister in a group of Church of England parishes based around our village of High Bickington. We try to maintain an open house reflecting our Lords’ generosity and call to community, and we serve in our local church. I hope to bring a useful medical background to the FCA board and I am a team player. I enjoy working in our large garden and walking.
Carole Jones - Joined June 2020
I grew up in Zimbabwe and raised my family there. For 16 years I was the manager of a Christian retreat and conference centre called Resthaven near Harare and helped turn the organisation round into a profit-making entity.
My husband and I left Zimbabwe and returned to the UK in 2003 and settled in North Devon. I worked for 7 years with a local Christian charity working in the field of addiction called ‘House of Heroes’ as the administrator. In 2014 following retirement, I started Eagle Community with a view to running a Christian home for those struggling with addiction. I continued with this organisation for 5 years until the charity merged with Freedom Community Alliance in 2020.
David George Clapp - Joined December 2022
I am a retired Chartered Accountant who grew up in North Devon and attended the local boy’s grammar school before joining a local firm of Chartered Accountants where I trained and qualified in 1973. I became a partner the following year and remained with the firm until I retired. My work involved acting for local businesses, private individuals and some charities.
Since retiring I have been involved with local charities some of which meant travelling to Africa to help with accounts. For a time, I was treasurer of a local church.
I have always had a heart and interest in supporting those who are underprivileged which prompted my involvement in Freedom Community Alliance.
Jane Hanson - Joined December 2022
My career as an educationalist spans 43 years until my retirement in 2021.
I have worked in a wide range of education establishments as a teacher, lecturer and education consultant.
I moved from Dorset to North Devon in 1991 and continued to raise my family, attending Grosvenor Church, where I am now a part of the Prayer Ministry Team.
I have until more recently been a Trustee with a couple of Multi Academy Trusts and served on the Diocese of Exeter Education Network (EDEN) Standards and Ethos and Growing Faiths Opportunities Groups. These days much more of my time is given to caring for my two granddaughters; and having the time for walking, gardening and other interests.