Rachael Koka

Data, Fundraising and Grants Lead

Rachael re-joined our Fundraising team as Data, Fundraising and Grants Lead in May, having worked at Dame Hannahs twice before.

Her main responsibilities are managing our database of supporters and ensuring that data is being processed lawfully and adheres to GDPR. She also works within the fundraising team to help cultivate supporter relationships through stewardship processes relating to events, and fundraising campaigns.

“This is my third time working at Dame Hannahs! I have always kept in touch my former colleagues and Dame Hannahs has stayed close to my heart. So, when I heard that there was an opening in the fundraising team I couldn’t resist coming back again! I initially joined in 2004 after leaving school as a volunteer in the fundraising team (which was then called Supporter Relations), I was lucky enough to be offered a permanent role as Supporter Relations Assistant and was responsible for looking after all donor communications and data, writing thank you letters, taking bookings for events, supporting with Christmas fayres etc.

I left in 2009 and went to university to study English Literature and then returned to work at Seale-Hayne in 2014. My husband and I relocated to Hampshire in 2015 where we lived for seven years before coming back to Plymouth in 2022.

I originally heard about Dame Hannahs through my Mum who used to work in the kitchen here and suggested that I start volunteering at Dame Hannahs. Before joining for the first time, I didn’t fully appreciate the breadth of the amazing work that goes on here.

I originally started volunteering because I wanted to do something worthwhile with my time and felt that Dame Hannahs was a great opportunity to make a real difference in my local community.
I left Dame Hannahs in 2015 when I moved to Hampshire, I took up the role of Database and Donor Research at Royal Holloway University of London. During this time, I worked as part of the Development and Alumni Relations Directorate to keep alumni engaged with the University. I was responsible for working with Major Donor fundraisers to secure perpetual scholarships for the History and Music faculties through research projects and data analysis.

I took some time out in 2018-19 to have a baby and then started working at Alabaré in 2022 as the Database Manager. In this role I was working across both the Fundraising and Operations directorates ensuring that supporter and extremely sensitive client data was stored securely and that correct processes were in place across the teams.

Dame Hannahs has such a lovely atmosphere, staff are so friendly and the adults we support are all amazing! There is always something to celebrate or take part in, and teams work so well together to make every day a fun experience. I particularly loved the recent VE Day celebrations! Everyone got into the spirit of the celebrations and had a wonderful garden party in the sunshine!

I have seen so many changes at Dame Hannahs over the years. I worked at Dame Hannahs when it was a school, looking after children as young as 5, I was around for the opening of the children’s home and the launch of Adult Services. My second time working at Dame Hannahs was when we also had our Seale-Hayne site which was an exciting time of new projects and outreach work. I have seen lots of changes at Dame Hannahs over the years and worked through some challenging times too.

When I first came to Dame Hannahs, many of the adults we support today were children at our school, coming back and reconnecting with them as adults and catching up on their news has been really special for me. I am excited to continue working with the fundraising team as we grow and reach more supporters in the community through our events, fundraising and shops. It is lovely to be back!”