The GFS Initiative CIC Board members

Andrea Davidson
Director and Operations Manager

IIn my professional career I have worked in managerial roles within the private sector, public sector including the Local Authority and NHS as well as working within the third sector. Duties ranged from General Manager, Director within Marketing and Sales, Projects securing employment for those recognised as NEET as well as Director providing Business Consultancy.

I excel when solving problems, working with people and learning new skills whilst gaining insight in to current affairs and developments in technology.

In contrast to this, my social life very much evolves around walking be it up fells or beach front walking. The health benefits for both the body and mind of exercise and spending time in the outdoors and all it has to offer, weather changes, changes in the skyline, animals and birds as well as the challenges are immeasurable. 2019 was a milestone for a period in my life that lasted for over 5 years, the impacts of which I am still dealing with. This initial period that proved more than challenging for all of the wrong reasons including, heartache from the loss of a number of people who were very important to me and loved very much, frustration, financial losses, health concerns for both my family and myself. Recognised as being a strong person mentally and emotionally and not wanting to put on others my concerns, including stresses and anxiety I sought help from a counselling service which helped me realise it was ok to put me first and not always last. This helped a lot but it did not solve the problems that were still very much current. I felt emotions during that time I was ignorant of and as a result created an awareness of how hard life is for too many and what we can all do to help create a safer more supportive environment.

David Tindale
Board Member

David is a Director of Changing Step (North East) .C.I.C. which is a not for profit, Social Enterprise, Limited by Guarantee and aims to provide a transitional service to former members of HM Forces and their dependants. This will be achieved by offering advice, support and training to assist with reintegration back into the civilian community. They also offer services to members of the local community, which will help to promote the reintegration of former service personnel and their families.

Changing Step (North East) is also proud to be part of a National Coalition of Organisations providing Specialist Support, Advice and Assistance to Military, Ex Military and members of the Emergency Services.

As a former member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, knowing and understanding the difficulties faced, his own experience and knowledge he uses to assist with the reintegration process. Following being made redundant then marriage issues and losing his family home, David found it very difficult to not only survive but being able to function on a day to day basis. After volunteering with National Organisations he identified that there was something missing outside of normal office hours. Bad days don’t happen to a schedule. It took being at such a low point in life that the vision came about to be able to not only put something together but to be able to do something about it.

The aim is to deliver an integral service offering practical advice and support on Life skills, Counselling, Training, Work Based Placements and Employment, which no one in this area currently provides. As the North East has always been one of the largest recruitment areas for the military, there is a high number of ex service personnel who would benefit from the assistance being offered.

After spending two years in a voluntary capacity for a military charity dealing with homeless issues, it became evident that there is a problem transitioning from military life to civilian life. A structured plan tailored to meet the needs of each individual, he feels will make reintegration as smooth as possible.

The implementation of Veterans Military Crafts, The Furniture Project, Urban Garden Project and our own Training Facilities allows the organisation to grow by offering more services, and the potential to offer work placements and employment in each project.

Adults facing Chronic Exclusion within the community can access our support and services.

David hopes that working with us as a Board Member enable us to reach a greater number of individuals and families to support the ethos of creating safe places for healthier bodies and minds though community activities.

Jim Welch

Board Member

Jim is a retired motor mechanic/engineer. He has a varied background in working with those who experience barriers as a result of both mental and physical changes. As a keen investor in his own personal development he regularly invests and takes part in training such as the equality act autism and related mental health conditions and research. He is also a positive member of various organisations and multi-agency panels.

These are some listed below:
2015 to present: Board Member of Health Watch County Durham which showcasing young people’s experiences of mental health, services and support in County Durham.

2010 to present: Panel Member of Community Involvement Panel for Crown Prosecution Service meeting quarterly

2008 to present: Chief Executive of Blind Life In Durham Monthly meetings .

2008 to present: Board Member of Local Access Forum (Durham County Council) quarterly.

2007 to present: Board Member of Disability Independent Advisory Group for Durham Constabulary Quarterly .

2006 to present: Board Member of Durham Disability Partnership (Durham County Council) Quarterly

Margaret Knipe

Board Member

Previous experience includes operating within a committee, experienced at local, regional and national levels. Roles included representational experience at local, regional and national levels. Book-keeping experience with the Open University Students Association (OUSA ) for 6 years, event organisation and hosting summer schools in Durham for OUSA 6 years, fundraising and working with various other charities for over 50 years.

Secretary at the Crook Community Centre where I:

• Ensure smooth running of board meetings.
• Responsible for preparing minutes of the meetings, maintaining records, administration, flow of information and communication.
• Identify opportunities for development and utilisation of the centre being appropriate for its purpose
• Key holder, Intruder alarm responder
• General office duties
• Working with the treasurer to ensure management and reporting of day to day financial transactions are reconciled to the petty cash and bank account where appropriate.
• Invoicing and bookkeeping
• Maintaining bookings, ensuring staffing in place for opening and closing of the centre
• Assisting in the café and providing catering where required.

Mel Thompson

Board Member

Mel is a true example of how caring in the community makes a difference. Mel is a family man who grew up in the local northeast, like most of us, dealing with the challenges of living in areas not recognised to be heavily invested in but utilised for its local resources. Growing up knowing good times and hard, seeing  happiness and witnessing those around you experiencing the hardest of times.

Instead of shying away, Mel has on many occasions walked over and asked how can I help?

He has been a shoulder to cry on, helped others get work, shared life skills and being a man with a sense of humour where dad jokes are plentiful, made many smile and laugh.

When his son was 4 years old, he showed an interest in football and joined the local football training group. Mel, not being one to sit back and watch decided to train as a coach for the 5 to 13 year olds to then go on to complete the FA Level 1 in Football Coaching working with the Crook town lions helping them to secure being top of the league after playing the final at Skegness.

During the time at the Football Club, they were involved in supporting and developing knowledge of various support groups targeting young boys and men including suicide awareness in young people allowing Mel further insight in to the need for community support and organised activities.

Mel then went on to achieve the Level 2 Playworkers qualification. At this time SureStart had agreed to support Mel and his colleague to develop a play group facilitated by dads and male colleagues for young people with various challenges and experiencing barriers in day to day life. Unfortunately the government changed and SureStart were replace a different provision resulting in the programme not taking place. Prior to the SureStarts being closed they were involved in a number of fund raising activities, one of which being the The World Record Breaking activity where a group of people, both children and adults had to plant as many trees as possible. Mel supported pulling together a group of up to 50 people resulting in the World Record being broken and monies raised to assist various community programmes. In addition he worked with Russell Bell to manage a 6 week programme at Salter’s Gate to develop pond areas and habitat restoration works, working with young people helping them to develop new skills.

Mel has continued to be involved in various sporting and outdoor activities including the development of seated curling allowing those with limited mobility to engage in the sport.

He has also taken part in various charity events raising money for local projects including  Sport Relief Mile at Sedgefield Race Course in 2012.

Having worked in the construction industry for over 37 years he enjoys sharing his skills and experience providing insight in to working in various trades, working with those with basic academic ability but a passion for creation and making things with their hands.

Steve Steen

Board Member

Steve is an experienced Police Leader who has worked within the Police since 1991 developing his career in various roles such as Police Inspector and laterally Police Staff member acquiring extensive experience in several disciplines including business change, problem solving, operational policing, training and development and assessment.

In the last few years Steve was responsible for designing, writing and delivering the Police Constable Entry Routes into Durham Police. Leading a small team and working alongside Northumbria University to devise learning and assessment strategies to meet the requirements of the assessment criteria and Apprenticeship Standards.

Since retiring, as an Associate Lecturer he has been involved in lecturing on leadership programmes at Northumbria University and associated assessment of leadership modules.

Working as Quality Standards Assessment Assessor at the Office of Students to ensure compliance with nationally set standards by monitoring and reviewing university delivered apprenticeship training.

Using his transferable skills in education and assessment he is an Independent End Point Assessor for Salford University where he formally assesses and grades End Point Assessments of student police officers.

In addition to the above Steve has been heavily involved in community projects and sports programmes working to remove barriers to work, social integration and personal development.

Sue Bainbridge

Board Member