Hello my name is Jackie, the new DRE Development Coordinator for Sunderland. Originally from Manchester, I’ve lived in Sunderland for the last 18 years.  I have over ten years experience of working within communities.  I started my career as a volunteer working with young people. When the asylum seeker and refugee dispersal programme came to Sunderland, I worked as a volunteer to set up a refugee and asylum seeker drop-in. I then went on to University and completed a BA in Community and Youth Work. 

I worked as a Community Integration Worker for the Refugee Service in Sunderland for two years, where I often worked first hand with people from BME communities with mental health problems. I then worked as a Development Coordinator managing a very successful voluntary community forum.  I have recently completed an NVQ level 5 in Management. 

I am a highly motivated and enthusiastic person and feel very passionate about improving the quality of life in neighbourhoods and communities.  I am looking forward to developing and driving forward the vision for the DRE programme in Sunderland.

Jackie Nixon

Development Coordinator

DRE Team

Jackie.nixon@sotw.nhs.uk  

Hi, my name is Maureen, and I am the most recent recruit to the DRE Team here in Sunderland.

I have worked as a Community Health Development Worker at Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust for four years. Before then, I worked in community development for Knowsley Borough Council and Liverpool City Council.   I have a breadth of experience spanning 16 years in the delivery of community development.

I am extremely enthusiastic in my new role as CDW for the DRE Team, and am looking forward to using my skills to improve outcomes for black and minority ethnic communities in Sunderland.

Maureen Bell

Community Development Worker

DRE Team

Maureen.bell@sotw.nhs.uk

Hi, my name is Yusuf and I am part of the new DRE team working around mental health with BME communities in Sunderland. I bring to the team vast experience of working with different minority ethnic communities in the region, especially people from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. I am fluent in Bengali, Urdu, Arabic, Hindi and obviously English so I guess that’s definitely a plus point!

I have also set up walking and days out projects for people with mobility issues, hard to reach groups and those recovering from illness.  I am completing my degree in Community Youth studies at the University of Sunderland this year.  I am looking forward to being part of the DRE team and working with others to deliver our aims.

Regards   

Yusuf Meah

Community Development Worker

DRE Team

muhammedyusuf.meah@sotw.nhs.uk                

My name is Mark Roberts.  I was born in London, raised in New Zealand, and most of my relatives live in Australia.  I have lived in England since 1971, and in the North East since 1988.  I’ve had a diverse career, having worked as a postman, a kiln operator, a drug and alcohol worker and a roadie! I have worked in Sunderland since 1999, first as a member of the NHS Smoking Cessation Team, moving to Healthy Living Centers, and then as a Community Development Worker. I was the first DRE Community Development Worker for Sunderland.

I am currently studying for a degree in Community Health at Sunderland University.

Mark Roberts

Community Development Worker

DRE Team

Mark.roberts@sotw.nhs.uk

The DRE Team for Sunderland are based at:

Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust

Southwick Locality Office

6 The Green

Southwick

Sunderland

SR5 2JE   0191 516 8498 / 549 1429