Tel: 0191 454 6959
Email: info@whist.org.uk
Meet the Team
WHIST’s is run by a dedicated team of friendly female employees, whose role is to make you feel comfortable, whilst supporting you to access one or more of their wide range of services to improve your health and wellbeing.
Margaret Bird, Counselling Coordinator
Margaret has worked with WHiST in therapy, tutoring and training roles at different points for over 25 years. Now more recently employed as Counselling Coordinator, the WHiST ethos remains close to her heart. She is proud to work with a great team of counsellors offering women in the borough a tailored and women-centered therapeutic resource.
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Asia Uddin, Wise Steps Employability Coach
Asia joined WHiST in 2014 providing support on the BAM Sistahood Project and then went on to become Employment Coach. Asia loves being able to support women to reach their full potential and achieve their goals through the Wise Steps Employability Project
Debra McBride, Wise Steps Administrator
Debra has worked here at WHiST since 2004 when she joined the team as a Child Support Worker in our creche, this was a role she held here for 12 years until funding ended; luckily Deb will give within reason anything a go and has since become our General Office Worker undertaking a multitude of administration tasks; as well as working alongside Asia as part of the Wise Steps Programme here at WHiST.
Corinne Devine, CEO
Corinne has worked at WHiST since 2002. She joined the organisation as the Volunteer Coordinator, and also worked as a tutor and course organiser, before becoming CEO in 2019. Even after many years with the organisation, she still gets excited about the work delivered at WHiST and the positive impact of women supporting each other.
Janet Cresswell, Service Development and Delivery Coordinator
Janet works with a team of tutors to develop and deliver learning programmes. She has enjoyed working in the voluntary sector for over 25 years in a number of roles supporting people to progress in life.
Wendy Stonehouse, Administrator
Wendy was originally a member of WHiST, attending courses to build her confidence, so she understands how women feel as they walk through the door. Wendy says, “I’ve loved going into work for 18 years to work alongside an amazing staff & volunteer team. The best part of my job is seeing a woman come through the door for the first time with no confidence, often anxiety levels through the roof and after choosing her own journey at her pace we see the end result of a confident chatty woman. I’m proud to be known as “Wendy at WHiST”.
Sylvia Hawkins Finance Worker
Sylvia has worked at WHiST since 2003 as the Finance and Administration worker. Over her 17 years, she has also taken responsibility for Health and Safety, database development, utilities and much more. Coming from a corporate background, she finds working at WHiST gives her a lot of personal satisfaction as she can see the benefits gained by our members.
Gell Kay Administrator
Gell came to WHiST as a Creche worker and now is part of the admin team, supporting members
Joy Nancarrow
Joy started working with WHiST as a homeopath and tutor in 2007 and now coordinates support for volunteers. She is continually inspired by women at WHiST who make positive change happen in their own and other women’s lives
Ruth Marshall, Senior Counsellor
Ruth has volunteered as a counsellor at WHiST since 2012. She enjoys working with women from a diverse range of backgrounds. She feels privileged that her work at WHiST allows her to see women realise their potential and become empowered to live the lives that they deserve with a confidence they didn’t know that they had.
Megan Thompson
Young Women’s Engagement Worker.
Megan is passionate about women’s issues and utilises her knowledge and experiences to relate to young women and understand their needs. Megan graduated Leeds Beckett university with a Fine Art degree and hopes to bring her creative skills into WHiST to provide some new activities for the younger generation
Kaila Anderson
Kaila joined WHiST in October 2021, doing marketing and IT. She runs the young women’s Instagram account to try and bring younger women into the organisation. She has qualified in both health and social care and childcare level 3 in college.
