Our People

I joined Changing Lives in 1995 as a Finance Officer, and what brought me here is the same thing that has kept me here for thirty years: a strong belief in the organisation’s purpose and its commitment to supporting people facing homelessness, and the overlapping challenges that so often come alongside it, including abuse, mental health, poverty and hardship.

I became Chief Executive in 2002 and since then have had the privilege of watching a Newcastle-based charity grow into one that is recognised as a national leader in supporting people that society has sometimes forgotten. Day to day, my role is about leading the charity’s strategic direction, supporting colleagues and making sure the organisation stays focused, effective and true to its values. But what makes it meaningful is simpler than that. Most of the people we support have experienced childhood trauma. To see the impact our frontline services have on individuals and their families is genuinely humbling.

My dedication to this work was recognised with an OBE, something I remain proud of.

Away from work, you will most likely find me on the golf course at Hobson, travelling somewhere new with my wife, or cheering on Newcastle United. I am currently working my way through Quentin Jardine’s Bob Skinner novels, I am on number 28 in the series and I would not dream of starting anywhere other than the beginning. We have also just finished watching Legends on Netflix, which was brilliant.

One thing that tends to surprise people: I have one blue eye and one brown eye, a trait I share with the late David Bowie. I had high hopes this would come with superpowers. It has not.

I joined Changing Lives in 2020 during Covid, initially leaving a Finance Director position with the intention of providing short-term support in Finance. That changed quickly. I moved out of Finance and into a varied and evolving remit that has been both interesting and rewarding ever since.

As Business Services Director, my role spans IT and technology, people and culture, and property asset management. Day to day that means providing clear direction, setting priorities, managing risk, controlling budgets and leading teams to deliver long-term outcomes for the charity.

What I find most satisfying is the development of people: supporting colleagues to progress both professionally and personally. That is the part of the role that stays with me.

My advice to anyone starting out, in any role and any organisation, comes down to three things: diligence, honesty and humility. Work hard and be honest. Everything else tends to follow.

One thing people tend to find surprising: I have some experience as a part-time midwife. Not strictly accurate, but I did deliver my son on the lounge floor following an unexpectedly early arrival many years ago. The lesson I took from it has served me well: deal with what is in front of you, stay calm and be decisive.

I joined Changing Lives in October 2019, having previously worked in audit and assurance and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW in December 2018. I came in as a Project Accountant, working closely with frontline teams to better understand the numbers behind the work they deliver every day. Changing Lives appealed to me because I had worked with a number of charities during my audit career and always found them particularly inspiring. There was a real sense of passion and purpose that made me want to build a career in the sector.

In simple terms, my role involves looking after a budget of around £40 million and making sure we get the best possible value from every pound spent across our services. A big part of that is also looking ahead, planning to make sure Changing Lives remains in a strong financial position to keep delivering the support it has been known for since 1970.

What I find most meaningful is turning complex financial information into something practical and useful. When that clarity leads to better decisions and stronger services, that is what makes the role worth doing.

Growing up, my first career ambition was to be a binman. I was fascinated watching the bins go in and out of the lorry one by one. I later considered the police and teaching before eventually arriving at accountancy. In hindsight, counting bins was probably the first sign.

Outside work you will find me watching the North East’s only European football team at the Stadium of Light, or chasing my two year old son around soft play centres.

I joined Changing Lives in 2016 via a TUPE transfer, moving across as a Service Manager for a Recovery Service in Sunderland. My values aligned from the start, and over the past ten years I have held a range of roles including Operational Lead and Mobilisation Manager, before becoming Director of Development in April 2025.

In that role, I oversee Business Development, Communications and Fundraising, and Quality and Impact. Day to day that means working with managers and teams to solve problems, build better processes and spot opportunities for growth. No two days look the same, but the purpose is always the same: make things easier for colleagues so they can do their best work for the people we support.

That instinct goes back to where I started. Working in frontline recovery services, I loved being able to impart hope and motivate people to want to make changes in their lives. The setting has shifted, but the drive hasn’t.

Outside work I love coastal walks with my family and our dog, Brian, enjoy camping in the summer, and play women’s softball cricket. I have also recently returned to running after a seven-year break and am taking on the Great North Run this year to raise funds for Changing Lives.

I have been part of Changing Lives since 2020, and over that time I have had the privilege of seeing the difference we make. I genuinely love every moment of it. What drew me here was what the organisation stands for: accepting people from all walks of life and backgrounds, and a focus on compassion, respect and supporting people to make positive change. That resonated with me deeply, and I still feel grateful to be part of it. I never take for granted the position I am in or the responsibility that comes with it.

My role is about the people. Day to day, that means working with leaders and teams across the organisation to make sure colleagues have the right support, structure and environment to do their best work. It includes shaping our people strategy, supporting wellbeing, and making sure we are genuinely listening to and valuing the people who work here. At its heart, the role is about creating a culture where people feel safe, heard and respected, and where compassion guides how we work and the decisions we make. I see myself as an important part of protecting that culture, while helping the organisation continue to grow and improve.

What I find most meaningful is supporting our people. Without them, there would be no Changing Lives. Being able to listen, support and help create an environment where colleagues can thrive, especially given how challenging and important their work is, feels incredibly rewarding. Seeing people grow, feel valued and go on to make a difference to others is what makes the role worthwhile.

The best advice I have ever been given is to be humble, lead with kindness, and focus on what you can influence in the present.

Outside work I switch off by going for long runs with my dog, who does not switch off either.

I joined Changing Lives in 2002, looking for a change in career. I was given an opportunity, took the chance, and have never looked back.

As Executive PA, my role is about working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. I value clear communication, well-organised plans, loyalty, and a well-timed cup of coffee.

What I find most meaningful is the people I work with, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from things going according to plan.

The best advice I have ever been given is simple: if you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry about it. Focus on what you can change and let go of what you cannot. It has served me well.

Outside work I live in Chester-le-Street with my husband and dog. I enjoy Barre, walking, and reading. I have just started Gone Before Goodbye and recently finished The Madison on Paramount+. I never miss an episode of Casualty.

I have been part of Changing Lives for ten years, and as an Operational Lead, my role is hard to summarise neatly. It spans a wide range of responsibilities and no two days look the same. What matters most is making sure the right things happen for the right people, and that the teams I work with have what they need to do that well.

What keeps me going is knowing that what we do has a real impact. We support people to find a way through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives, and being even a small part of that means a great deal.

Outside work I follow Newcastle United with the loyalty and long-suffering optimism that requires. I am currently reading Lost Japan by Alex Kerr, and my best piece of advice is one I try to remember daily: take a beat.

I joined Changing Lives in September and this year marks ten years with the organisation. Before that I spent a decade working in recovery across community, custody and young people’s services, and had built up significant experience working with street homeless people, sex workers and across a range of mental health settings. I had always been drawn to women’s services in particular, so when the opportunity came to redirect my career towards developing women’s services more strategically and shaping future opportunities across the Midlands, I jumped at it.

Day to day my role spans safeguarding, risk management and contract oversight across a wide breadth of services, including justice, homelessness, domestic abuse, adult exploitation and sex work services. I feel very strongly about having the right people, with values that align with Changing Lives, working in our services, and I lead by example. I spend a lot of time in projects talking directly to staff and to the people accessing our services. That breadth means I get a genuine understanding of what people are experiencing across very different contexts, and I would not have it any other way.

What I find most meaningful is seeing the impact we have on people’s lives every day. But it is also about creating truly trauma-responsive and psychologically informed spaces, and watching staff meet people where they are, without expecting too much too soon.

The best advice I have ever received came from an unlikely place. Thirty years ago a street homeless person told me he had to stop letting his past predict his future, otherwise he would never be able to move his life forward. I have lived by that ever since. You have to look forwards. Change has to happen, and sometimes it does not go as planned, but often it does.

My advice to anyone starting out in this field is simple: be a person first. Show kindness, be honest, but have clear boundaries and know where your role ends.

Outside work I spend time with my family and play roller derby, which does wonders for my mental wellbeing. I make a point of avoiding anything work-related on the television.

I started as a Volunteer and Peer Coordinator because I knew how much the organisation valued its volunteers and the lived experience they bring to the support we offer. That has never changed.

As an Operational Lead, the role has a wide remit: growing and building services, delivering for partners and commissioners, and being a visible support to colleagues. Some days it can feel like it is all meetings and budgets, but no two days are the same and that is exactly why I love it.

What I find most meaningful is working alongside the colleagues who run our projects and support the people who need our services. Seeing members of the Changing Lives team grow in their roles, build careers and go on to do amazing things is something I never take for granted.

The best advice I have been given is straightforward: never ask anyone to do something you would not do yourself. The advice I would pass on to anyone starting out in this field comes in two parts, because one never felt like enough: take all the training you can get, and never forget why you chose this as a career.

Outside work I have two go-tos that have helped me daily for years. Running clears my mind. Ironing relaxes my soul, a habit that goes back to my days in the forces and has stayed with me ever since.

I joined Changing Lives in 2022, after twelve years with another charity where I felt it was time for a new challenge. I had always admired Changing Lives from my time working in Newcastle, particularly the organisation’s reputation for being innovative, so when the opportunity came it felt like the right move.

As Operational Lead, no two days look the same. My role spans several areas of strategic operations and the variety is something I genuinely enjoy.

What keeps me motivated is knowing that I am a small part of a much bigger effort to improve services and support people who need it. The best advice I have ever been given sums it up well: nothing changes if nothing changes. It is a phrase that has stuck with me.

Outside work, I will freely admit that my guilty pleasure is American Real Housewives. No apologies.

I joined Changing Lives in January 2013, but my connection to the organisation goes back further than that. Before joining, I worked as a Project Engagement Worker with Wolverhampton City Council Youth Service, where I spent several years working closely with the local women’s service. I went on to become a Development Officer for YouthBank UK with the National Youth Agency, and when that role came to an end and an opportunity arose at Changing Lives, it felt like the right fit. The passion and dedication of the staff, and our shared values, made that clear from the start. I joined as Programme Manager for the women’s service and have grown with the organisation ever since.

As Quality and Impact Lead, I focus on making sure our work is not only high quality but genuinely makes a difference. I work closely with teams to understand what is working, what could be even better, and how we can learn and improve together. I am passionate about turning insight and data into real-world change.

What means the most to me is human connection. Being intentional in how I engage with people across Changing Lives allows me to listen, learn and support real change. Hearing lived experiences, honest feedback and moments of success reminds me why this work matters.

That sense of purpose is something I grew up with. My grandparents were part of the Windrush Generation. After settling in the West Midlands, they and a group of friends established a local charitable organisation to support individuals and families newly arrived in the UK, particularly from the Caribbean. For over 65 years, that organisation worked to reduce isolation, create safe spaces and support people who had experienced racism, abuse and stigma. Remarkably, it still exists today, run entirely by volunteers. I grew up in a culturally aware, community-minded family, with relatives working as social workers, youth workers, teachers and across the NHS and charity sector. Supporting others is not just something we do. It is part of who we are.

Outside work, I am currently rewatching Grey’s Anatomy for the third or fourth time. I am a big admirer of Shonda Rhimes and think she produces brilliant television. And as for what I wanted to be when I grew up: a judge and an actor. I never quite worked out how to do both at the same time.

I am now twelve years into what was supposed to be a three-month work placement straight out of university. Changing Lives has been growing ever since, with constantly evolving IT requirements, which means there has always been something new going on. I have never quite found a reason to leave.

As Head of IT, my role is about keeping Changing Lives’ systems running as smoothly and securely as possible, while keeping an eye on what is new and what is changing so we can continue to improve. It also occasionally involves fixing cars, food mixers and acting as an impromptu electrician.

What brings meaning to the work is simple: helping people. Not many get excited about IT, but helping colleagues use it as effectively as possible to support their work is why I am here.

Outside work I like fixing and restoring things, usually cars or vintage computers and games consoles. My most recent project was a 1967 Raleigh Wisp moped. Something people tend to find surprising: I have titanium reinforced lungs, like a low-budget Iron Man.

My advice to anyone starting out in IT: never try to negotiate with a disobedient printer.

As Communications and Fundraising Lead, my team and I are involved right across the organisation and the country, from supporting frontline projects to developing campaigns, raising Changing Lives’ voice nationally and generating the funds that make our work possible.

The best advice I have been given is a quote I come back to often: “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.” It reflects how I view everything we do, with each piece of work contributing towards the wider goal of changing more lives. I also believe strongly in standing by what you know is right, even when it is not always the easiest path.

Outside of work, I try to switch off by playing golf and padel. I have also previously competed in Call of Duty at a professional level.

Driven by both personal and professional experience, I am committed to addressing social injustice and championing innovative solutions that create meaningful, lasting change. I have worked in the voluntary sector since 2013 and joined Changing Lives in 2019 as a Bid Manager, progressing to Business Development Lead in 2022.

Through working within the voluntary sector, I have gained first-hand insight into Changing Lives’ genuine commitment to empowering people and communities through innovative, person-centred approaches. Rooted in Northeast origins, and now delivering services across England, I believe passionately in Changing Lives culture and purpose, and I am proud to play a part in their mission.

As Business Development Lead, I oversee the organisation’s Business Development and Mobilisation functions, aligning activity with strategic priorities and growth ambitions. I lead a high-performing team, delivering a dynamic portfolio of bids and ensuring the successful mobilisation of new services. Working closely with operational teams, central functions, and partner organisations, I support service retention, sustainable growth, and continuous organisational improvement and development.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, dragging my family around national trust locations and learning about social history, more recently I’ve started experimenting with cold smoking and curing meat.

I have worked for Changing Lives since 2017, so this year marks nine years with the organisation. My background is in substance misuse and criminal justice, and over time I became acutely aware that making real change was so much harder when the person I was working with did not have a stable place to live. As a mother, working with people the same age as my own children made that personal. I wanted to work with people experiencing homelessness and try to improve their outcomes. It really matters to me that we treat people the way we would want our own family members to be treated.

In a nutshell, my job is to make sure we are legal and that we are kind. The first part is about following government guidance and mandated actions to improve the way we support people. The second part is putting that guidance into practice. If we can standardise the best work we do, everyone who accesses our accommodation should receive the best possible support.

What I find most meaningful is talking to people and finding out what they actually need, rather than assuming we already know, and then making changes where I can. Being a voice for those who struggle to be heard is something I take seriously.

The best advice I have been given is one I come back to regularly: if something is bothering you, either do something about it or let it go.

Growing up I wanted to work with animals and horses. I volunteered with the RSPCA at weekends and spent several years working in horse racing after leaving school. Life took a different turn, but the instinct to care for others never went anywhere.

Outside work my favourite thing is spending time with my three grandsons. I also love travelling, reading and watching reality TV.

I joined Changing Lives as Chair of Trustees in January 2024, but my connection to the organisation goes back much further than that. My mother was Chief Executive of YACRO, the York Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders, many years ago. She built it from visiting landladies house to house to ask them to take in offenders for bed and breakfast, right through to commissioning the build of Robinson Court in York. YACRO was subsequently taken over by Changing Lives, and as a family we had all been involved in it along the way. When the opportunity came to join the board, it felt like a privilege to continue her work as part of a charity that sees and supports the whole person.

In practice, being a trustee is about working in the interests of the people we support. That means listening, understanding, questioning and visiting. It means working closely with the executive team and taking the time to meet and appreciate the many staff who show up every day to make other people’s lives better. Trustees have no executive powers, but the role carries real responsibility and I take that seriously.

What I find most meaningful is the quality of the people around the table. We have trustees with tremendous breadth of experience who are genuinely dedicated to the charity, and an executive and senior team I have huge admiration for. That combination gives me real confidence in what Changing Lives can do.

My first job after university was as a cleaner in a hospital that had originally been the old workhouse, caring for people who were physically and mentally impaired. It was not an easy job, but it taught me something I have carried ever since: whatever you do, whether the role is big or small, do it to the best of your ability.

My grandfather told me when I was seventeen to never give up work and never retire. After 47 years, I am still listening to that advice.

Outside work I am a firm believer in routine. It keeps body and soul together and helps me compartmentalise. I enjoy reading, sewing, housework and eating and drinking with friends. I am currently working my way through Ben Kane’s Forgotten Legion trilogy and would recommend it to anyone who loves history brought to life. One drama that has never left me is Chernobyl. Extraordinary television.

One thing that might surprise people: I do a great deal of presenting and public speaking, and those who see me do it tend to assume I am completely at ease. Even now, after all this time, I still get nervous beforehand.

And the item that remains on my bucket list: I have always wanted to write a book. One day I will.

I joined Changing Lives in 1995 as a Finance Officer, and what brought me here is the same thing that has kept me here for thirty years: a strong belief in the organisation’s purpose and its commitment to supporting people facing homelessness, and the overlapping challenges that so often come alongside it, including abuse, mental health, poverty and hardship.

I became Chief Executive in 2002 and since then have had the privilege of watching a Newcastle-based charity grow into one that is recognised as a national leader in supporting people that society has sometimes forgotten. Day to day, my role is about leading the charity’s strategic direction, supporting colleagues and making sure the organisation stays focused, effective and true to its values. But what makes it meaningful is simpler than that. Most of the people we support have experienced childhood trauma. To see the impact our frontline services have on individuals and their families is genuinely humbling.

My dedication to this work was recognised with an OBE, something I remain proud of.

Away from work, you will most likely find me on the golf course at Hobson, travelling somewhere new with my wife, or cheering on Newcastle United. I am currently working my way through Quentin Jardine’s Bob Skinner novels, I am on number 28 in the series and I would not dream of starting anywhere other than the beginning. We have also just finished watching Legends on Netflix, which was brilliant.

One thing that tends to surprise people: I have one blue eye and one brown eye, a trait I share with the late David Bowie. I had high hopes this would come with superpowers. It has not.

Mike spent 39 years of service in Lancashire and Durham Constabularies, retiring as Chief Constable of Durham. He led the implementation of Problem Orientation and Restorative Justice training in Lancashire, providing victims with a voice and meaningfully challenging people who have committed offences to change their behaviour. Over the last decade he transformed Durham into the world’s leading police organisation in the adoption and use of Problem Orientation.

He has also been actively involved in charities and community groups as trustee and chair. In 2017 he was named ‘Communicator of the Year’ in the North East in 2017 and enjoys regular appearances in the media.

I have been a trustee at Changing Lives for ten years. My route to the role was a personal one. Two members of my family had suffered from addiction, and we had first-hand experience of how difficult it can be to access positive interventions and genuine support. I wanted to help others in a similar position. Being a trustee has also helped me personally in coming to terms with the impact addiction and wider mental health challenges can have on individuals and the people around them.

In practice, I see the trustee role as one of support and guidance: using skills and experience to add value to the organisation’s longer-term strategic plans, helping to work through challenges, and using personal networks to open doors, whether that means enhancing skills, offering financial support or building awareness of the work Changing Lives does.

What I find most meaningful is speaking to staff in the projects and hearing about the innovative ways they are supporting people, from finding someone a new home to teaching them to cook, supporting their education or helping them into work. I never fail to be impressed by the dedication and determination of our staff to make sure nobody is left behind.

The best advice I have ever been given came from the late Helen McArdle, who told me never to be afraid to say you do not know something, and to surround yourself with good, trusted people who do. It resonated with me that such a successful woman had the courage to say that openly.

My first jobs were in retail, at Miss Selfridge in Newcastle during my O-Levels and then at Topshop when the Metro Centre first opened. Retail is hard graft, and it taught me a real sense of responsibility: you turn up on time, you give 100% and you take pride in the work regardless of the circumstances.

Outside work I love the gym and walking along the Northumberland coast with my springer spaniel. I have always been drawn to the sea, something that goes back to family holidays in Scotland, and I find the waves genuinely therapeutic.

Steve had a long and varied career in the civil service until his retirement. For the past eleven years he led work on single homelessness and rough sleeping.

He was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List in recognition for his services to rough sleepers. He has worked with Changing Lives over a number of years.

Steve is married with two children. His hobbies include walking, squash and supporting Chelsea.

Jordan is a technology and AI professional with experience delivering digital transformation and responsible AI initiatives across large organisations as well as smaller private and non-profit settings. He specialises in turning emerging capabilities, particularly generative AI, into practical, well-governed services, balancing innovation with information security, and data protection.

As a trustee, Jordan’s goal is to provide board-level oversight of technology, data and AI. His focus is on supporting the IT team in setting a clear digital direction, strengthening cyber resilience, and ensuring any use of AI is safe, ethical and aligned with safeguarding and privacy requirements, so technology genuinely supports staff and service users.

Alongside his professional role, Jordan is completing a Level 7 MBA apprenticeship and is passionate about helping organisations adopt technology in ways that are ethical, transparent and sustainable.

Anthony has been a Trustee at Changing Lives since January 2024. He was drawn to the role because he shares the organisation’s values and strongly believes in its mission. Having experienced homelessness himself, Anthony felt his lived experience could bring an important perspective to the Board. After meeting a fellow trustee at an unrelated event, he realised Changing Lives was an organisation where he could make a meaningful contribution.

As a Trustee, Anthony helps shape the organisation’s direction, supports and challenges the executive team, and asks the questions needed to ensure Changing Lives continues to deliver the best possible outcomes for the people and communities it serves. The most meaningful part of the role is visiting projects and seeing the impact of the organisation’s work first-hand. Meeting staff, hearing their stories and seeing their dedication in action is both humbling and inspiring.

Anthony lives on the coast and starts or ends most days with a walk along the beach. At weekends, he enjoys exploring Northumberland and the Lake District, whether hiking, canoeing or kayaking. Spending time outdoors and away from screens helps him recharge. The best advice he has ever been given is: “If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect anyone else to believe in you?”

I have been a trustee at Changing Lives since January 2024, though I am a little different from my fellow trustees in that I am also a member of staff and have worked for the organisation since 2009. I care deeply about the people we support and I am proud of our teams, so I was delighted to join the board and bring an employee perspective to the role.

In practice, being a trustee means reading the papers, attending board and advisory meetings, and asking the questions you would expect from someone responsible for the charity’s future. We make sure the organisation is doing what it says it will do, that money is being used wisely, and that risks around safeguarding, compliance and financial pressures are being managed. It is also about helping to set direction: agreeing priorities, checking progress and offering constructive challenge to the leadership team.

The areas I am most invested in are our approach to diversity, equality and inclusion, and shaping our women and children’s strategy. A big part of that, for me, is making sure our people feel genuinely supported. Our staff and volunteers are our greatest asset, and I am proud of how far we have come in strengthening the welfare and wellbeing resources available to them. The work we do is emotive and demanding, and the people who access our services can only receive the best possible support when our teams are given the same care in return.

My first job tells you something about where I started. I left school at sixteen with barely a GCSE to my name. I had hit a late rebellious phase, and the school was probably as relieved as I was to see me go. I later re-sat my English GCSE at Bede College in Sunderland as part of an admin course, where I found a tutor called Elsie who saw something in me that I could not yet see in myself. That course set me up so well that the college employed me at the end of it. The organisational skills I developed as an administrator have stayed with me ever since, and through my subsequent roles with the Probation Service and Changing Lives I have gone on to achieve a degree in Probation Studies, an MSc in Personality Disorder Policy and Practice, and a Diploma in Management. It is never too late to return to education.

Outside work, our first grandchild was born six months ago and she is an absolute joy. I spend as much time as I can with her. I also enjoy the gym, travelling, and getting to concerts and stand-up comedy whenever I can.

I became a trustee at Changing Lives in December 2025, so I am still relatively new to the role. I have known about the organisation for many years, but getting more involved has given me a much deeper appreciation of everything that goes on behind the scenes.

I see a trustee as someone who supports the leadership team, acts as a sounding board and helps shape future strategy. The role is also an ambassadorial one: promoting and advocating for the work Changing Lives does in the community. What motivates me most is a belief that a person is remembered not for what they have achieved, but for the impact they have had. Being part of that, even in a small way, matters to me.

My first job was stacking shelves at Kwik Save at sixteen. I worked throughout my A-levels and university, which taught me to juggle priorities, manage pressure and build resilience. A careers adviser once told me I would struggle to make it in stockbroking because I was not from the right background. I am glad to say I proved them wrong, and it shaped a belief I hold firmly: no one should tell you that you cannot make it. We should be encouraging potential, not limiting it.

Outside work I enjoy golf, watching Newcastle United, and films at the cinema. Switching off does not come naturally, as my family will confirm.