Self Advocates
Andrew Cowe
Andrew currently delivers Be Cancer Aware training with the team. He likes watching motor racing and golf.
Ashley Benford
Ashley delivers Learning Disability Training, Junior Doctor Training and Be Cancer Aware Training. Ashley enjoys playing football and swimming.
Erin Simblett
Erin delivers Learning Disability Training, Oliver McGowan Training and is involved in the What About Me? Project. Erin is a big fan of watching Doctor Who and going for walks in the park.
Gavin Barr
Gavin is involved in Stop People Dying Too Young, the What About Me? Project, the We are Human Too Campaign and Be Cancer Aware Training. Gavin likes to listen to music and play on his computer.
Ian Middleton
Ian is a Director for Sunderland People First. He is part of our Be Cancer Aware and Be Epilepsy Aware team. He is a member of three choirs and is currently learning to play the keyboard.
Karen Hughes
Karen supports Phil, her brother, and contributes to Learning Disability Training, Stop People Dying Too Young, We are Human Too, Junior Doctor Training with Phil.
Lauren Baynes
Lauren is a self-advocate and really enjoys working at Sunderland People First. She enjoys watching musicals at the theatre and going out for meals with friends and family.
Matthew Moon
Matthew delivers Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and Be Cancer Aware Training. He is also part of our Humanising Healthcare team. Matthew is a massive film buff and watches at least 50 to 100 new films every year.
Matty Prothero
Matty is a Director for Sunderland People First. He has worked on a number of different projects, such as Hate and Mate Crime training and Disability Awareness training. He likes football and fishing in his spare time.
Philip Hughes
Phil delivers Learning Disability Awareness Training, Junior Doctor Training, Stop People Dying Too Young, the We are Human Too Campaign and Be Cancer Aware.
Nathan Tennant
Nathan started volunteering as an Autism Advocate in 2019, which is how he met Sunderland People First. Nathan wants to use his own life experience to help other autistic people navigate their lives on an easier, happier and more fulfilling course than his. In his own time, he enjoys making art and learning about local history.
Toni Ann Wood
Toni Ann delivers Oliver McGowan Training, Be Cancer Aware training and is part of the Humanising Health Care project. Toni Ann enjoys playing on her PlayStation, going to the theatre, watching movies and going out for family meals.
Development Workers
Amber Clark
Amber has worked alongside the advocates with the University of Sunderland students on their Adaptive Activity Module, to ensure inclusion for people with a learning disability and autistic people in sporting activities. She also develops Be Cancer/Be Screening Aware training and Learning Disability Awareness training. Amber has a degree in Ballet and Contemporary Dance. In her spare time, she likes to go on runs and go for a drink at the pub.
Nadine Lucas
Nadine was a Headteacher of a Special School and taught for thirty years before becoming a Development Worker. She is part of the facilitator team for Oliver McGowan Training and Be Cancer Aware Training. She leads Sunderland People First’s community involvement. Her passion is mental health and wellbeing, encouraging people to participate in lots of outdoor environmental activities such as beach cleans and gardening. She enjoys all things creative and is a keen artist.
Jill Weaver
Jill has been a Development Worker with Sunderland People First for 2 years. She loves getting out and about walking with friends and her dog Frank. She also enjoys going to the theatre, especially to see musicals with her daughter and watching her son play football. She is mainly involved in delivering training for Oliver McGowan and Be Cancer Aware and is a Person-Centred Planner.
Karen Thew
Karen used to work as a Teaching Assistant before starting at Sunderland People First as a Development Worker. Karen enjoys traveling and exploring new countries and trying out the local food and drink. She also enjoys visiting art galleries and museums. Karen has a terrier called Bixie who she likes to take for long walks.
Stephen Patterson
Stephen joined Sunderland People First as a Development Worker in 2022, having previously worked in autism post diagnostic support and a range of technical roles. Stephen is himself autistic. He has a degree in Music Technology, he has made over sixteen solo albums, currently plays with a live electronic band every year at a local music festival and is the sound engineer for Born Lippy, Newcastle’s monthly spoken word event.
Administrative Support
Melissa Clark
Business Administrator and Easy Read Designer
Melissa was an early years teacher and worked in schools for 10 years before joining Sunderland People First. She is one of our Easy Read Designers and provides administrative support for Sunderland People First. Melissa likes art, books, coffee and long walks outside (mainly the Lake District!) as well as spending quality time with her son.
Sheila Cain
Project Co-ordinator and Easy Read Designer
Sheila has 25 years experience as a business administration working for Sunderland County Council. Sheila co-ordinates all projects for Sunderland People First and is one of our Easy Read Designers. Sheila enjoys spending time with her cats, looking after her grandson and enjoys football and going to the theatre and gigs.
Chief Executive (CEO)
Lisa Clark
Lisa has over 30 years experience in different job roles of working with and supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic adults. She is also a family carer. She has a passion for indoor and wild swimming.