Meet the Team

Kim Harper

Chief Executive Officer

I support and advise the Trustee Board and staff team and have responsibility for running the organisation, including legal obligations, sustainability and operations. 

I’m passionate about empowering and supporting strong communities, being a neurodiversity advocate and Heavy Metal.

Ejaz Sarwar

Deputy CEO

I work alongside the CEO and senior staff team to identify and develop business opportunities that promote Community Services and ensuring we are responsive to VCSE and member needs.

I enjoy networking, exploring, and tasting cultural foods and general wellbeing.

Bernard Fenton

Operations Director

Kathryn Gould

Finance Director

I am responsible for end-to-end finance operations, finance planning and analysis and report financial results to senior management and trustee board.

I have a keen interest in mental health and inclusivity. Outside of work, I enjoy walking, reading, love cats and love being a mum.

Becky Edwards

Programme Lead - Health & Wellbeing/Inequality

In my spare time I enjoy exploring other cities, countries and cultures. I love music and I’m in my happy place at gigs and festivals (missing the bands because I’m somewhere else chatting, usually!)

Helen Britten

Programme Lead - Age Inequality

I currently lead on the Active Through Football programme, Youth Alliance and Family Hubs. 

I love all things sports - watching playing and coaching! I also enjoy cooking, eating out and socialising. And learning about different cultures.

Helen Frudd

Programme Lead - Marketing and Communications

My work includes overseeing social media, website management, newsletters and branding. I also organise the Derby Voluntary Sector Awards.

Outside of work I love gardening and to travel.

Jonathan Dwerryhouse

Programme Lead

I support the development of the VCSE sector and cross-sector partnerships that support community cohesion and development.

I love to play the piano, I also love deserts, palaeography, photography, and cocker spaniels.

Stef Jowle

Volunteer and Resource Lead

I manage the Volunteer Centre and support staff with IT and office requirements i.e. new staff inductions, building upkeep and maintenance, contracts and utilities. Manage and maintain the Telephone System, Health and Safety.  I also work closely with the finance team.

In my spare time I enjoy learning new things. Spending time with family, walking, watching movies, going on bike rides. I also have a fond interest in football – but my husband doesn’t!

Irina Shaw

Finance Support

I help to manage CA Derby's finances by keeping track of its income and controlling its spending, purchasing invoices, raising & distributing sales invoices. I prepare and run weekly payments, update accounting systems, and payroll.  

I love history books, James Bond films and music especially 80s & 90s and modern retro.

Emily Scothern

Administrator

I really like to be creative in my spare time. I engage in a number of hobbies from knitting to baking, and from rhinestoning to performing, which I have done across the East Midlands

Katya Lomas

Administrator

I love video games and I’m particularly fond of Final Fantasy series.

Nicola Ashfield

Administrator

I am very family focused, I love my dog & cat and most animals (but not ones with 8 legs!) I also enjoy reading and listening to various types of music.

Rebecca Middleton

Good Neighbours Administrator

As part of my role, I am responsible for the recruitment and management of our Good Neighbour volunteers, who play a crucial part in the delivery of this service. I am proud to be running the Good Neighbour service due to the significant positive impact it has on the community across Derby City and for the rewarding benefits our volunteers get to experience.

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and baking all kinds of yummy goods for my family and friends!

Aliyah Khan

Community Development & Project Officer

I work on multiple projects such as Family Hubs, Youth Alliance and DE23 Active. I empower the women of Normanton & Arboretum to get more physically active. I provide the local residents living in the DE23 Active area with more opportunities.

I love travelling, going on long walks and spending time with my family and friends.

Amjad Ashraf

Specialist Projects Manager - Tackling Inequalities

Sammi Parkin

Community Link Worker Manager

I manage two teams of Social Prescribers (Derby North PCN & Derby South PCN), the SMD Care Navigator, the UKSPF Advice Worker and the Good Neighbours Administrator. Our roles work alongside one another to address health inequalities, while also supporting members of our community to improve their health and wellbeing.

My passions are supporting other people, animals and music festivals. I also volunteer part-time with a feline and wildlife charity.

Sarah Green

Senior Community Link Worker (Derby North)

I'm supporting people with their health and well-being by helping them to access the social and community support that would benefit them and to get involved in their community. Focusing on what’s important to them and providing help and support on a wide range of issues from loneliness to financial hardship.

I am part of a singing group and I love reading, walking the dog and seeing live music.

Char Dickens

Severe Multiple Disadvantages of Health Care Navigator

Melvina Birch

Community Link Worker (Derby South)

Social Prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical ‘Link Workers’ who are able to spend time, focus on ‘what matters to me’ and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community-based and community-led social, practical and emotional support, as well as statutory services.

I enjoy being outside in nature, whether that be on a walk, paddleboarding or riding a horse.

Rachel Connolly

Community Link Worker (Derby North)

We link people in with different community-based services and activities that may benefit them. Keeping the focus on what matters to them, we curate our suggestions based on individual needs and preferences. This could range from helping people access financial or housing advice and support, to exercise programmes and hobby groups, and everything in between!

I love movement, especially hiking, yoga and strength training. I enjoy trying new crafts and learning about history and people! I spend a lot of my time in search of second-hand clothes and books.

Sidra Batool

Community Link Worker (Derby North)

I'm supporting people with their health and well-being by helping them to access the social and community support that would benefit them and to get involved in their community. Focusing on what’s important to them and providing help and support on a wide range of issues from loneliness to financial hardship.

I speak Urdu!

Teresa Hooper

UKSPF Advice Worker

I am the Advice Worker on the Social Prescribing Team

I support patients with a variation of forms, benefits and housing issues, I support with just about anything and if I am not sure I will signpost to the relevant agencies.

My background is in Schools, Social Services, Dementia, Domestic Violence and Autism

I am passionate about making people feel good about themselves, lifting them up and helping them take a breath to get through their difficult days.

I love nature, animals, cooking, painting, writing and manifestations.

Tim Joyce

Community Link Worker (Derby North)

I'm supporting people with their health and well-being by helping them to access the social and community support that would benefit them and to get involved in their community. Focusing on what’s important to them and providing help and support on a wide range of issues from loneliness to financial hardship.

I love watching films and TV. I also love spending time with my family, especially walks with my family and our dog.

Ray Khumalo

Chair of Trustees - representing Derby African Association, Black Lives Matter, Footprints

Roger Dale

Vice Chair of Trustees - representing Unite the Union, Rolls-Royce Derby Staff Union

Roger volunteers as a CA Derby trustee because, after being involved in the huge community effort required to assist local residents during the pandemic, he wanted the opportunity to continue the work that started during that time.

Roger is an avid supporter of Derby County and takes every opportunity to follow them home and away.

Akindayo Akindolani

Trustee - representing TES Community CIC

Akindayo volunteers as a CA Derby trustee because he believes strong communities are built when people, charities and local partners work together to create opportunity and practical support for families.

Akindayo is a technology and community development professional, founder of McAnderson and Tech Derby, and he enjoys mentoring young people, building partnerships, supporting families and using digital innovation to create lasting community impact.

Asaf Afzal

Trustee - representing the Pakistan Community Centre

Bev Stewart

Trustee - representing Open Doors Forum and Black Communities Matter

Brenda Rhule

Trustee - representing the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Brenda is an experienced mental health nurse, working in the field for 46 years. She is currently working as a Mental Health Practitioner for people experiencing homelessness.

In her spare time, she loves to travel, read, go to the theatre and keep fit.

Emmanuel Muzang

Trustee - representing Camder FC CIC

Emmanuel volunteers as a CA Derby trustee because he believes strong communities are built through collaboration, inclusion, and supporting people to reach their potential.

Emmanuel works in technology and project delivery, enjoys community leadership and football, and is passionate about using innovation to create positive social impact.

Ewa Van De Schootbrugge

Trustee (co-opted) - representing Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH)

Sarita Walia

Trustee - representing Shanti Ladies Group

Sarita volunteers as a trustee for CA Derby because she is passionate about getting involved in voluntary work wherever it is needed and using her voice to challenge racism and support equality within her community.

In her spare time, she enjoys learning more about health issues and promoting Asian culture, language and cuisine.

Teresa Waldron

Trustee (co-opted) - representing Deaf-initely Women

Teresa is a passionate Deafblind advocate who volunteers as a trustee for CA Derby to support deaf and deafblind people in the community. She brings over 28 years’ experience from Derbyshire Law Centre and is now CEO of Deaf-initely Women.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking, gardening, and crafts. Her guide dog Cherry keeps her on track, although Cherry sometimes thinks she’s the one in charge!

Councillor Sarah Chambers

MB Observer - Derby City Council

MB Observer Derby City Council

Councillor Tim Prosser

MB Observer - Derby City Council