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.
Corinne 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.
Lesley
Facilitator for South Tyneside Poverty Truth Commission
In her facilitator role Lesley listens to people with lived experience of poverty. Encouraging them to become Commissioners and work towards improving lives in the Borough. Lesley is always inspired by people’s capacity for hope and change. As part of the WHiST team Lesley enjoys working with women, as they form friendships, share their skills and knowledge and increase in their confidence and well being.
Wendy, Admin
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”.
Sue Gray
Finance and Operation Manager
Stella Rose Carmichael
Community Connector Food Fair Project.
Stella joined the team in July 2023 as Community Connector for the Food Fair Project which aims to help with food and fuel poverty. She is passionate about healthy, tasty food that is affordable for everyone and hopes to encourage people to cook fresh healthy meals, from around the world, in their own kitchens. Stella has previously supported people recovering from trauma and hardship and can refer people for specialist help on any area of their lives they may be struggling with.
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.
Joy Nancarrow
Volunteer Coordinator
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
Debra McBride, 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 until it ended in 2023.
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.
Asia Uddin
Learning Programme Coordinator
Asia joined WHiST in 2014 providing support on the BAM Sistahood Project and then went onto become Employment Coach which she worked on until it ended in March 2023.
Asia continues to work here at WHiST as Learning Programme Coordinator
Rebecca
Women's Advocate
Rebecca our women's advocate has been part of WHiST for roughly 4 years, she started as a volunteer counsellor before starting the role as womens advocate in 2022.
Gell Kay Administrator
Gell came to WHiST as a Creche worker and now is part of the admin team, supporting members
