Our Team

 

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CEO

Kerry Devine

I qualified as a social worker in 1994 and have worked in a number of statutory settings including probation, adult mental health and older peoples services.

I consider myself fortunate to be working at Improving Lives with a team that is committed to offering person centred, compassionate support to people experiencing multiple disadvantage.


Business Manager

Josh Wood

I have worked across the charity sector: comprising work with Macmillan, the Citizens Advice Bureau and as a support worker for Improving Lives. I have also worked in Assistive Technology to enable older people and people with physical and mental health problems to remain independent. More recently, I have trained as a Civil Funeral Celebrant.

I’m excited to work again for Improving Lives to contribute to its unique and essential work in supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage.


Comms and Fundraising Offier

Jennie Birch

I have a wealth of administrative and project management experience from both large public and private sector organisations. My main focus is to support the development & delivery of our business strategies by securing funding from small grants, engaging with our corporate partners as well as managing Improving Lives’ social media accounts.

It is a privilege to work within a great team that supports people in the community in which I live.


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Support Worker

Claudia Moses

I have been working in this sector since 2010. I started my journey at Victim Support in London working within the courts supporting a wide range of vulnerable people through the judicial system, providing practical and emotional support. I volunteer with Juno Women’s Aid empowering women and children to live free from abuse. I now have the privilege of working with Improving Lives supporting people in the community which I am most passionate about.


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Support Worker

Paul Ainger

I have been supporting vulnerable people with complex needs in a number of voluntary settings for almost 20 years. These have included, street homeless people, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people linked to street gangs in south London. I qualified as a social worker in 2010.


I consider it a privilege to be part of such a compassionate and approachable team and to make a real difference in people’s lives.


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Community Support Worker

Guy Askadsky

I am a qualified social worker, and since my graduation in 2001 I have been working for various charities and social services in Israel and Canada. Most of my work has been with elderly people, immigrants and people facing mental health problems. For me being able to make a difference in lives of isolated or otherwise disadvantaged people has been a highly rewarding experience.

I feel very excited to be joining the Improving Lives team as a community support worker.


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Community Support Worker

Judith Fairbairn

Since qualifying as a Social Worker, I have worked in Nottingham for Adult Mental Health services and Older Adults services.

I joined the Improving Lives Team in January 2018 as a Community Support Worker, and support older adults to live independent and active lives.


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Support Worker

Rosie Allen

I am a Counsellor, and have a background in public system research. I have previously volunteered for SHOUT UK.

I joined Improving Lives in October 2020, and am enjoying the varied and meaningful support that we offer adults within the community, across Nottingham.


Support Worker

Mariani Jasmin

After completing a degree in Psychology, I volunteered as a befriender with Improving Lives for three years before joining the team as a Support Worker.

I am passionate about supporting others and find my role extremely rewarding. I feel privileged to be doing a job I love alongside an incredibly supportive, welcoming and friendly team.


Volunteer Coordinator

Christina Perkins

I have over 10 years experience working within both health and finance sectors providing administrative and operational support. I enjoy working with people, getting involved with community projects/events and making valuable connections.

I’m passionate about exploring the never ending avenues of self care. I study reiki and mindfulness which has helped me to manage my own mental health struggles and placed me in a position where I have been fortunate to help others.

I am honoured to be working for a charity that puts mental health and well-being at the heart of everything that they do. 

 


Community Support Worker

Stuart McAdam

I have volunteered as an advisor, mentor and advocate for various organisations including Citizens Advice, Princes' Trust and Carers Federation. More recently, I’ve counselled in schools and for the unemployed and ended up as a Trades Union Lead Organiser with Unison following 15 plus years as a Rep in Higher Education.

I enjoy film, history, travel, swimming, running, music (played guitar in various bands) and like spectator sports like tennis,  football, rugby, boxing and athletics.


Administrator

Polymnia Bradford

After spending over a decade carrying out analysis of environmental samples in laboratory settings since  finishing my degree in Chemistry, I switched to finance. I have over thirteen years’ experience in a variety of  accounts/administrative roles.

I am passionate about nature and helping all living beings. I consider it an honour to be working for a charity which helps people and look forward to providing administrative support to my lovely colleagues.


Support Worker

Mia Palmer

I have two degrees in Psychology which brought me vast knowledge about the human psyche. I am currently doing my stage 1 of becoming an accredited Forensic Psychologist and the key for me to achieve this is to gain 1 to 1 experience with clients. I have had experience in support work within different client groups varying from learning disabilities to mental health struggles for the past couple of years.

My philosophy in life is that anyone can succeed if given the chance and the resources, hence, because of my background and passion to help people, I found this position to be the perfect match for me.

 


Support Worker

Sade Gayle

I have an undergraduate and masters degree in psychology which has given me the transferable skills I need to support those impacted by mental health issues. Over the past 2 I have been able to put theory into practise through volunteer work as a dual counsellor at Childline and working as a recovery support worker on a PICU ward. I have also researched breaking down the barriers to accessing mental health care, among ethnic minorities in the UK.

 This role allows me to use my passion to help people and my knowledge in mental health. I feel honoured to join the wonderful team at Improving Lives and look forward to helping to support people in the community. 

 



Community Companion

Finley Watson-Smith

I am currently in my penultimate year at the University of Nottingham, where I am studying Criminology. My passion for social sciences, has been a driving force behind my academic journey. Combined with my desire to help others, this has led me to pursue work at Improving Lives.

Mental health has always been a significant area of interest for me, especially as someone who has faced personal struggles and come out stronger. Now, I’m dedicated to helping others on their own unique journeys. The opportunity to work with diverse individuals and make a positive impact on their lives has been incredibly fulfilling, and my experience in this field has only deepened my commitment to this work.


Community Companion

Alice Norrie

I am a Psychology student in Nottingham and started out volunteering with Improving Lives as a befriender before joining the team as a community companion. 

I am a very social person and love meeting new people, I have always been passionate about helping others and this job allows me to do this. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a wonderful team with a great cause! 

  


 

“I consider it a privilege to be part of such a compassionate and approachable team and to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

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Support Us

Only a small percentage of our funding comes from statutory organisations.

Find out how you can support us and our vital work supporting adults with complex health and social needs in Nottingham.

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Volunteer

Find out how you can sign up to volunteer to support people with complex health and social needs in Nottingham.

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Our Projects

Read about our different projects and the different people we support in Nottingham.