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Our Trustees

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We Are Survivors are extremely fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated bunch of Trustees, coming from various walks of life and employment sectors, who give us their time, energy and skills free of charge, and collectively form the Board of Trustees. To find out more about each Trustee, click on their name and take a look at what they have to say.

Trustee

Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine; NHS

Andrew works as an NHS doctor; having trained in hospital medicine across the North West before specialising in sexual health and HIV medicine. During his training, he has worked in clinics and hospitals across Greater Manchester, gaining extensive experience in both inner city and district general hospital settings. He has experience in reviewing patients presenting to services following both acute and historic sexual assault.

Andrew’s interests include infection risk reduction strategies and substance misuse management, which was furthered by completing a Public Health England fellowship in sexualised drug-taking across Greater Manchester. He is passionate about training and has completed a masters degree in Clinical Education at Edge Hill University and has been involved in both undergraduate and postgraduate training. Outside of work he enjoys the great outdoors and finds running a good way to unwind after a busy week.

Why did you choose to become a trustee of We Are Survivors?

Over the years, I have been incredibly impressed by the work of We Are Survivors. I have referred patients to the organisation confident in the knowledge that they will receive a high level of care and support. I feel privileged to be able to play a role within the organisation.

What would you like to see We Are Survivors do in Greater Manchester?

To continue the great work already undertaken and to further contribute to the de-stigmatisation of male sexual assault in the hope that all survivors will feel empowered to seek support.

Do you have a message for Greater Manchester residents?

If you are a survivor, do not suffer in silence. Support is available when you are ready, on your terms. It is never too late.

What’s your favourite thing about Manchester?

Manchester has a real vibrancy and a warmth that’s only found in the North!

Trustee

People & Culture Director, Autotrader

Christos is a people and culture leader with a career across different industries ranging from digital to social housing. He spent four years at the Co-operative Bank before joining Auto Trader in 2014 where together with his brilliant team he focuses on creating a space where everyone’s uniqueness is celebrated and is empowered to thrive by being at their best. Driven by his passion for inclusion, he leads the D&I and ESG strategies of one of the most admired digital businesses in the UK and Top 50 Inclusive Companies.

Born in Athens and moved to the UK in 2002 to study for his MSc in Human Resources at The University of Manchester after completing studies at the American College of Greece and the London School of Economics; he fell in love with the city and its people, so he decided to make it his home. He is a actively involved in making a difference working with leading charities including being a Trustee for We Are Survivors and is a Vice President for Forever Manchester.

Chair

Accountable Officer & Managing Director Wigan Borough NHS CCG; Honorary Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University

After growing up in Wigan in the 1980s, going to primary school, secondary school and college in the Borough, following a short gap year from ‘A’ levels, Craig trained as a Nurse at UCLan undertaking his placements (at what was) Billinge Hospital, Leigh Infirmary and the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in the town centre.

Craig’s path into nursing wasn’t a traditional one and in fact he was a performing arts, dance and drama student prior to entering his nursing career. However once he entered the NHS he loved it and found a calling for mental health. He has worked in mental health throughout his career, undertaking liaison roles in A&E, worked in perinatal psychiatry and on an extreme behaviour unit before leaving the Borough to undertake his forensic and CAMHS roles at Prestwich Hospitals.

Following his clinical roles he took the brave step and moved into a commissioning role in Manchester where he remained for 15 years, actually in many roles, from commissioning manager, to Head of Mental Health, Greater Manchester Strategic Head of Offender Health to more latterly Executive Nurse, Director of Safeguarding and Executive Director of Commissioning, in Manchester Health and Care Commissioning. However some 19 years on after qualifying Craig has never looked back but after returning to his home town to relocate him and his family, he secured his “dream job” as Wigan’s CCG Accountable Officer & Managing Director.

Craig has not limited his career and experience to the NHS although would describe himself as a public servant through and through with nursing at his core, he also has experience in the criminal justice system, third and charitable sector and more recently the hair and beauty industry. Craig likes to give back to his community and has been a Presiding Justice on the Greater Manchester Magistrates circuit for many years, where he developed one of the first national criminal justice and Liaison services that won the prestigious Butler Award.

Craig also likes to volunteer to a cause that’s close to his heart, male survivors and has been involved in what he describes as “an amazing charity” for almost a decade. He is the Chair of Our Board of Trustees for We Are Survivors, “an internationally recognised charity who boldly leads the way in shaping and influencing the national agenda for male survivors”. Craig was humbled and proud to accept the North West Charity Chair of the year award in 2018 recognising his longstanding commitment and passion to this worthy cause.

As if this isn’t enough to keep Craig busy he also owns a local Wigan Salon, Stonehouse Salon and Spa in the heart of Wigan, with his partner (also called Craig who runs and manages it). The salon has gone from strength to strength and in less than 18 months is award winning. The Craig’s were recently over the moon after winning gold for best new business of the year 2019 in the British Hair and Beauty Awards, something they thanked their staff, partners and all their customers for, as without them it wouldn’t be such a huge success.

Craig not only has a drive and dedication for all things mental health he is also a champion and advocate for children and young people especially looked after children. Craig has an adopted son, from the age of 1, who is now 9 and Craig’s sees every day, the little star his son has become and with the right support, encouragement and love how fantastic it is to be an adoptive parent.

Why did you choose to become a board member of We Are Survivors?

I have always had an interest in services that are unconventional and outreaches to people that are most vulnerable and for those who have traditionally not accessed services for one reason or another. Survivors is a unique Charity that adopts a style and approach that is adaptive and responsive to the needs of men that have suffered a form of abuse past or present and that need intervention and support to regain their life. I wanted to be a part of a growing Charity whose core principles are based on strong foundations of not judging, not blaming and not ignoring people. After considering other Charities Survivors appealed to me as from the Board members to the champion and organisational leader Duncan Craig, I have never been so impressed with such commitment, dedication and determination and I wanted to be a part of just that.

What would you like to see We Are Survivors do in Manchester?

To grow, receive recognition for its cutting edge approach to this area of speciality, offer the best services to all that need them and to becoming international leaders in the field.

Do you have a message for Greater Manchester residents?

Don’t suffer, don’t suffer in silence and remember in all the darkness it only takes one flicker of light to make the shadows move away. We need to work together, work in partnership, stand shoulder to shoulder and break the cycle of silence and abuse. We are here and we are not going away.

What’s your favourite thing about Manchester?

It’s a vibrant cosmopolitan amazing city, which offers so much for so many people. Its diversity reaches from every continent. There are little gems of secret family run restaurants, to delightful deli’s, wonderful wine shops and a gay community that challenges Brighton and London.

You can not comment on the city until you have experienced it!

If you wish to contact Craig or the board with any compliments or complaints, please email [email protected]

evan chiswell

Deputy Chair

Business, Marketing and Development Director: Humankind

Throughout his work with disabled individuals, older people, adult and young offenders, people with a mental health need and substance users, Evan has supported many men who have experienced different forms of abuse. By working closely with these individuals, Evan has learnt of the profound impact that abuse causes upon people’s lives, and the benefits of empathetic peer-based support. Facilitated within his Qualified Social Worker training; at academic, theoretical and practical levels, Evan has gained experience regarding the interplay between society, law, an individual and their environment.

Throughout his work history he has assessed each of these factors and their influential effect on individuals’ life-courses, or chances. With a mixture of frontline working, strategic management and academic experience, Evan’s found that We Are Survivors provides a necessary and exceptional service to survivors, their partners, their families and their friends. His decision to become involved with We Are Survivors is based on his vocation of working with oppressed individuals and communities, to empower those people to therapeutically achieve change and to strive towards breaking the oppressive influence of the silence of abuse.

Why did you choose to become a board member of We Are Survivors?

My decision to become a board member of We Are Survivors was a simple one. Having been privileged to have had a number of individuals speak to me about their legacies, I had raised my concerns about the lack of specialist support; and more importantly, a peer-based network of individuals that can support each other. The person that I raised these concerns with was Duncan Craig. Duncan then told me of this vision for We Are Survivors.

Realising the degree of silence which exists; on individual and social levels, it was clear to me that something had to be done. I felt like this was a unique opportunity for me to contribute to changing the injustice that exists, and making the lives of survivors better within Manchester.

The silence further inhibits men from having an opportunity to speak openly about their legacies, and I wanted to be a part of an organisation which changes the tide of silence affecting individuals’ lives, and communal, cultural and societal awareness.

What would you like to see We Are Survivors do in Manchester?

I’m truly honoured to have been involved in We Are Survivors since its inception. In that time, the organisation has had some remarkable achievements, but its greatest accomplishments have been those not achieved by the organisation itself, but by those that it serves: the Survivors themselves.

I would like to see We Are Survivors continue to represent survivors living across the North West at every level of its provision and delivery. This principle is vital to ensuring that We Are Survivors gives people a platform and the confidence to speak out.

I would like to see We Are Survivors create a format which adapts to the people that it supports. Furthermore, I would like to see We Are Survivors provide advice, support or peer-support to those brave and strong people that support survivors on a day-to-day basis; whether they be partners, families or friends.

We Are Survivors has a difficult objective in offering a service to all male survivors, but it is achievable with the support of the survivors themselves, their families, friends and partners to spread the word and ensure that We Are Survivors doesn’t leave anybody to suffer alone.

I would like to see We Are Survivors continue to learn, evolve and grow to become an organisation which male survivors have ownership over, and which can lead men to live more positive lives.

Do you have a message for Greater Manchester residents?

My message to Greater Manchester residents is that We Are Survivors is an organisation that can only grow with your support. The organisation was founded to aid you as residents and so with your help we can end the silence of abuse.

If you, your partner, your family member or your friend have experienced abuse and want somebody to talk to, or to tell your story, then that is the reason that we are here. Help break the silence of abuse, it ends with us.

What’s your favourite thing about Manchester?

Having lived in a number of cities and towns across England and Wales, I’ve fallen in love with Manchester for any number of reasons. To attribute one favourite element of Manchester is difficult, but it has to be the music; Manchester has and is continuing to be the birthplace of an exceptional number of amazing bands and culture.

fran healey

Treasurer

General Manager / Accountant

Fran’s work life started in admin, then after exploring an interest in databases and IT, Fran finally decided to train as an accountant. She qualified in 2002 and completed her MBA at Manchester Business School in 2010. Whilst in the corporate sector, working in retail, utilities and online marketing industries, Fran specialised in using her finance skills to work with operational teams developing their budgets, business plans and performance management processes. Having left the corporate sector in late Summer 2012 Fran is now pursuing a more personally rewarding career as an accountant in the voluntary sector helping organisations prepare business plans, develop funding proposals and improve accounting processes and controls.

Having got interested in social accounting in the last few years, Fran is now also working towards a PhD at Manchester Business School researching the future potential of social value accounting methodologies.

Outside of work, Fran is a music fanatic and plays in a couple of local orchestras. She is also a member of the Social Value UK Board who’s mission is to change the way the world accounts for value.

Why did you decide to become an Trustee for We Are Survivors?

After hearing that Survivors were looking for some finance support, I met with Duncan to find out a bit more. I was amazed to hear what Survivors has achieved over the last few years, and also shocked to realise how difficult it can be for male survivors of abuse to speak out and to find support locally. It is wonderful to see what Survivors has done already to help so many people, and there is a clear need for this to continue and grow in the years to come.

I am delighted that I have an opportunity to use some of my skills and experience to contribute towards continuing to build a support service that is available to all who need it.

What would you like to see We Are Survivors do in Greater Manchester?

I would like more survivors in the Manchester area to be able to find and use the support available at We Are Survivors. I want to raise awareness of the issues and I want more people to be able to access our service.

I believe we can achieve this through strong partnerships with health services, legal and educational institutions and all organisations that come across survivors. We can build understanding and awareness, and we can grow this support network to be accessible and available for everyone who needs it.

Do you have a message for Greater Manchester residents?

For survivors… we are here. You can get in touch with us and we can help.

For everyone else… ask, enquire, find out more – build your understanding and become part of the day to day support network for all the survivors who want to interact with you.

What’s your favourite thing about Manchester?

I love the culture in Manchester. There’s something for everyone. Theatres, music, food, sports – all in an amazingly compact area. I think I’ve only seen a small part of it in the 30 years I’ve lived here. But most of all I like the people – what a fab bunch!!!

Trustee

Kevin is as the founder of 2Novate, an independent consultancy specialising in the review, design and implementation of victim support services.

Kevin has been behind the successful implementation of victim support services for Police and Crime Commissioners, NHS and the VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) Sector and is one of the country’s leading experts in the design and development of support services for victims of crime. His work has pioneered the transformation of the national landscape in this area.

Kevin has led specialist victim services and draws upon his extensive experience and understanding of policing to concentrate his efforts; recognising the impact that crime and the criminal justice system has on victims and survivors, to ensure that their needs are at the forefront of his work.

Trustee

Trustee

Semi-Retired Voluntary Sector Leader

Sue has over thirty years experience of working with children and young people who have experienced abuse and who are seeking help to recover and to build a strong and resilient future for themselves. Sue is a qualified social worker and has worked in both the statutory and voluntary sector. She has been a manager in the voluntary sector since 2000 and is passionate about the contribution that the charities can bring to support those most in need.

Why did you choose to become a board member of We Are Survivors?

I have had the pleasure of working with Duncan on a number of projects over the past few years. I have seen the impact that We Are Survivors has made in both the local and national picture and also witnessed the passion for ensuring that male survivors have their voices heard and get the help and support that they need.

I know from my day job that it is often extremely difficult for female survivors to get what they need when they need it. However, this is so much more difficult for male survivors and that is why we need an organisation like We Are Survivors.

What would you like to see We Are Survivors do in Manchester?

I would like to see the organisation grow and to be able to offer more to residents across the whole of Greater Manchester.

Do you have a message for Greater Manchester residents?

Do not assume that sexual abuse or assault happens in a world not connected to yours. You will all know someone who has been affected- show them compassion and support them to seek help.

What’s your favourite thing about Manchester?

Mancunians! This is my home city and I love its diversity, swagger and sense of humour.

What trustees do:

Trustees are charged with the task of ensuring the overall direction and performance of We Are Survivors is coherent to the organisations legal documents and business plan.

Although the main role of the trustees is to be responsible for monitoring and controlling the activities of the agency, because we are a small charitable organisation, unlike many of the larger organisations, from time to time We Are Survivors trustees become involved in some of the day to day business.

It can be a challenging role, for instance, trustees are legally and financially responsible for the organisations overall management and finances.

Who can be a trustee?

There are very few opportunities for under 18s to become trustees in the UK and there are also other restrictions that disqualify others, by law, from acting as charity trustees. This includes:

  • Anyone who has been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is spent anyone who is an undischarged bankrupt;
  • Anyone who has previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or the Charity Commissioners;
  • Anyone who is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

What are the qualities needed to be a trustee?

Depending on the organisation, depends on the qualities of a trustee, but there is a general consensus, stated by The Charities Commission that:

“Trustees need to be able – and willing – to give time to the efficient administration of the charity and the fulfilment of its trusts. We recommend they be selected on the basis of their relevant experience and skills and must be prepared to take an active part in the running of the charity.”

Can service users, clients or members be trustees?

Different organisations have different rules, but here at We Are Survivors we say…Yes!

Members can offer incredibly valuable perspective as trustees.

However, users interested in being trustees should be aware of any conflicts of interest that might occur. These might form the basis of their application for trusteeship being rejected.

Although ‘seats’ on the board only become available occasionally, if you are interested in becoming a trustee of We Are Survivors, please contact the Chief Executive Officer on [email protected], expressing your interest and what you think you can bring to the organisation

Stakeholders and Funders

Helpline: 0808 800 5005

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