STAND TO is a dedicated service supporting Derbyshire’s Armed Forces community.
Delivered by DAAS, our work is led by an experienced senior management team and supported by dedicated team members and trustees, all committed to supporting the Armed Forces community with a clear focus on wellbeing, including mental health, alcohol support, suicide prevention, and reducing isolation and loneliness.
Elaine Probert
STAND TO Project Manager
Elaine has been the Stand To Manager since April 2026, having previously supported the service as its administrator. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the role, with a strong understanding of the Armed Forces community.
As an Army wife for 12 years, Elaine worked closely within military welfare, taking on a wide range of responsibilities. Her experience includes organising community events such as children’s Christmas parties, delivering parenting support, and providing practical and emotional support to injured service personnel and bereaved families.
Now a veteran’s wife, Elaine has a deep appreciation of the challenges faced when transitioning from military to civilian life. This insight enables her to connect with and support veterans and their families with empathy and understanding.
Elaine is proud to be part of the STAND TO team and is passionate about the positive difference the service makes to those it supports.
Paul Boden
Alcohol Worker
My name is Paul Boden and I started working for STDVCS as an alcohol support worker on the 4th of January 2022. I served in the British Army (Armoured Corps) for nearly 14 years, leaving as a Challenger 1 Tank Commander. Prior to joining the Stand TO team I worked for the DRP doing a similar role and before that I worked in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. I’m looking forward to working with the Veterans of Derbyshire.
Phil Day
Alcohol Support Worker
I started working with Stand To in July 2025 and hold a role of Mental Health and Alcohol Support Worker. I served in the Royal Navy for 14 years working in communications and in more recent years worked as a Mental Health and Welfare Support Worker in the Emergency Services. I am keen to assist and support the Armed Forces veterans of Derbyshire and their dependants.
Christopher Smith
Veteran Led Recovery Connections
I’m ex Royal Air Force and have had postings, to mainly flying units. I had served for 14 years, mainly through the cold war, before discharge. I enjoyed my time in the Royal Air Force and loved being around aircraft so much, I then went back as a civilian for another 4 years before finally moving away to live in Chesterfield. I have volunteered, from early years, in various places throughout my life, culminating in volunteering with veteran groups, in the last ten years. I now use my experience gained, within Stand To.
Alistair ‘AJ’ Wilcox
Veterans Wellbeing Project Worker
Alistair has joined the STAND TO VIP team and is supporting our CONNECT programme. He is keen to give veterans a point of contact within Derbyshire, that are having social integration difficulties especially in the light of emerging from restrictions, lockdowns etc due to COVID and need help being directed to like-minded veterans to meet up for fun activities and the usual military style ‘banter’ that commonly follows groups of ex-armed forces personnel when gathering together. AJ served in two branches of our Armed forces seeing service with both the RAF and the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers in the Army for a total of 15 years.
Carl Thurlby
Veteran Recovery Link Worker
I am a Royal Navy Veteran (Air Engineering Branch) and joined the team in December 2021, as our VIP Project Worker. I also work on the Veteran Led Recovery project.
I am passionate about people’s welfare, mental health, and wellbeing, I have worked in the sector for the last 12years. I am a big advocate of being in the outdoors whatever the weather and quote a wise man who said “Skins Waterproof” but you’ve heard that before IM sure! I can often be found outside in the beautiful Peak District, walking, cycling, or running.
I am keen to support Veterans on their personal journeys where they can be together and bounce of each other in a safe environment, enjoying the camaraderie that was left behind.
Fliss Merrin
STAND TO Administrator
Fliss joined the STAND TO team as Administrator in April 2026, bringing over 20 years of experience in administration and customer service across the private, charity and public sectors. Most recently, she spent 10 years working within the NHS, supporting clinical teams and gaining valuable insight into complex health needs.
While Fliss does not have a direct personal connection to the Armed Forces, she is proud of her family’s history of service and has previously worked alongside veterans in a professional capacity. Her experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs and learning disabilities, combined with her background working behind the scenes for clinicians, brings a strong foundation to her role within the Veterans Community Hub.
Fliss has quickly embraced the sense of humour and camaraderie within the service and enjoys spending time with veterans, hearing their experiences and learning about their roles in serving the country. She is also well acquainted with “Tea NATO” and is always happy to offer a warm welcome — and a brew — to everyone who visits.
Meet the Senior Management Team
Tracey Croasdale
CEO and Service Manager
Tracey has worked with DAAS for over 16 years and now leads the organisation as CEO and Service Manager. She oversees strategic development and partnerships, including DAAS’s role as a VALOUR‑recognised centre supporting veterans and the wider Armed Forces community.
With a background as a Substance Misuse Counsellor, Clinical Coordinator, and Deputy Service Manager, Tracey combines clinical and operational experience to ensure services are safe, responsive, and trauma‑informed. She has also been part of STAND TO’s growth into a broader service supporting mental health, wellbeing, and family needs. Her commitment to the Armed Forces community is both personal and professional, shaped by growing up in an Army family and understanding the challenges of transition and life beyond service.
Carita Curnyn
Deputy Manager
Carita has worked at DAAS since 2010 and contributes to operational leadership, clinical governance, and service development.
She oversees the Single Point of Contact Hub, Training Team, and Counselling Team, bringing extensive operational experience from her previous roles as Hub Manager and Training Manager, as well as earlier work as a volunteer alcohol worker. Her work is underpinned by a strong belief that education is key to supporting positive change and reducing harm.
Alongside her professional role, Carita brings a personal connection to the Armed Forces community, with family members who are both veterans and currently serving personnel. She has a strong appreciation for the dedication of the Armed Forces community and an awareness of the challenges that can be faced when transitioning into civilian life.
Iain Highlands
DAAS Finance & Business Manager
Iain joined DAAS as Finance and Business Manager in October 2021. Iain is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts and joins DAAS following a long career as a Finance Director in the private sector primarily working in food manufacturing businesses.
Alison Corbett
Business Development Manager
Alison joined DAAS in 2015 and assisted with securing further funding for STAND TO following its successful pilot. Has played a key role in the research and development of DAAS quality strategy, supporting the management team to achieve accredited standards such as Matrix, Armed Forces Covenant Employers Recognition scheme Bronze Award and Cobseo membership.
Alison has a background in establishing and overseeing innovative research and development projects in care and educational settings for stakeholders such as European Commission, DWP, Local Authorities and funders such as the National Lottery.
Alison has a personal interest in the Armed Forces with family members serving in the RAF and The Army, enrolled in the Girls Venture Corps, which later combined with the Air Training Corps.
