Board members
-
Liz Slade B.A. (Hons-Law) (Chair) Vice Chairperson, Director SYSHP
SYSHP provides a range of accommodation and support services for vulnerable young people. SYSHP currently delivers services in the City and County of Swansea area.Liz started her employment within the sector as an advice worker with Welsh Housing Aid, now Shelter Cymru. She has worked at all levels within housing including housing advice, housing management and support and in development within the Equal Opportunities Committee. She has 20 years experience of sitting as a management committee member for a range of organizations from local (such as women's aid) to national, (such as the housing committee of the Law Society).
-
Barry Gallagher Chief Executive of Drive
Drive provides a range of services for people with disabilities across:-- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Monmouthshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
These services range from supported living services, employment training services, respite care and emergency accommodation services with all these services being provided in partnership with service users, families, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Barry has been involved in supported housing and social care for vulnerable adults and young people for more then twenty years in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. Early in his career he worked with young offenders and single homeless people in central London. He has worked for Drive since 1992 and has been involved with Cymorth since its inception and has held the position of Chair since September 2007.
-
Fran BeecherChief Executive, Llamau
Llamau work with Homeless young People aged 16-25, care leavers, young offenders and those at risk of offending, vulnerable women with complex needs and women and children fleeing domestic abuse. They work in the following local authority areas:-- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Cardiff
- Caerphilly
- Monmouthshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Vale of Glamorgan
Frances’ background is mostly within the support and supported housing world. Starting off as a volunteer in Women’s Aid, her roles have included Outreach and Support Worker. By profession Frances is a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and worked as a counsellor for many years. Frances has also worked in the RSL world as an evaluation and monitoring manager and as an operational and strategy manager for supported housing, before moving to the position of Chief Executive of Llamau, a homeless charity in South Wales.
Frances steered the organisation through an extensive development programme. Llamau were UK HA 2005 Wales winner for their family mediation project which achieves ground breaking statistics. Llamau were awarded the 2006 UK Charity Award for their work with Young People.
Frances is the founding member and Chair of Cymorth Cymru, Wales’ umbrella organisation for Supported Housing
-
Cathy Davies (Treasurer)Chief Executive, Hafan Cymru
Hafan Cymru represent women, men and children experiencing domestic abuse (including women of all ages who have mental ill health, offending behaviour, substance misuse needs, but especially those affected by domestic abuse and men who are experiencing domestic abuse) and young people who are vulnerable and homeless. Hafan Cymru work in the following local authorities:-
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Neath Port Talbot
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
Cathy has worked in the field of housing-related support, and especially the field of domestic abuse, for over 30 years. Having started life as an actress, teacher, farmer and research assistant, she first move into the sector was to help establish the first refuge in Carmarthen, moving on to a short secondment to Welsh Women's Aid to research the feasibility of a housing association for women escaping domestic violence in 1988, and finally to become the Chief Executive of Hafan Cymru (formerly Cymdeithas Tai Hafan) where she has worked for over 20 years. In addition, she was a founder member and is currently Treasurer of Cymorth Cymru, am a member of the All Wales Domestic Abuse Working Group, Chair of Dr Mz (a Youth Project in Carmarthen), and, with colleagues from Hafan Cymru, is leading the TDG (Tai Dysgu a Gwaith) bid for European funding for learning and work projects in housing-related support settings. During recent years she has gained a Masters in Business Administration.
Cathy has 20 years experience of day to day management and control of a charitable housing association, in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse, expertise in management of change, organisational knowledge management, Human Resource Management and Innovation and Creativity in an organisational setting - including using storytelling in organisations. Knowledge and experience of how to raise funds creatively and maximise existing resources for greatest effectiveness.
-
Richard DaviesExecutive Director Social Care, Gwalia Care & Support
Gwalia Care & Support, work with and support the following client groups:-
- Learning disabilities
- Physical disabilities
- Mental ill health
- Alcohol and substance misuse
- Probation clients and those at risk of offending
- Single Homeless people
- Young people, single parents and families
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual people
- People experiencing domestic abuse
And work across the following local authority areas:-
- Blaenau Gwent
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Monmouthshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
Previously Richard held the post of Head of Housing and Social Work Strategy at Scottish Borders Council where he had a central role in tackling homelessness, affordable housing and addressing rural poverty. During his ten years in Scotland he managed community care services for older people, people with mental health needs and people with learning and physical disabilities. Prior to this he worked for the NHS in Bristol and London. Whilst in Bristol he worked in the learning disabilities field, managing innovative day service provision for people moving into the community from long stay institutions. During his early career in the NHS he worked in finance in both acute and community services.
He has a good understanding of the working of the housing, support and care sectors, an MSc in Health Care Policy and Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Collaborative Leadership, BSc (Econ) in Politics and History and is a part qualified accountant (CIMA).
-
Lynne C Evans B.A. (Hons)Head of Supported Housing for North Wales Housing
North Wales Housing provides over 2,000 affordable homes and is an Accredited Support Provider for Supporting People. Their directly provided services include homeless hostels, homeless outreach and resettlement schemes, housing with support for people with mental health problems, floating support services, and homelessness prevention and solutions for young people engaged with the Youth Justice Service.Through their partners and their managing agents, North Wales Housing also provides housing with care and support for people with learning disabilities, housing with support for ex-offenders and people with drug and alcohol problems, and refuges and floating support services for women and children escaping domestic abuse. North Wales Housing are also trustees of a charitable residential care home and supported living scheme.
North Wales Housing currently works in:-
- Conwy
- Gwynedd
- Denbighshire
- Ynys Mon
Lynne has 19 years experience in Supported Housing with North Wales Housing and previously worked as a manager in adult employment training services. She also has a background in welfare rights and advice work and, for contrast, experience in fashion retail. She was a single parent mature student some years ago, and Lynne's abiding interest in and commitment to housing related support is grounded in the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their potential.
-
Ewan Hilton Executive Director of Gofal Cymru
Gofal work with people experience mental health issues in:-- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Newport
- Neath Port Talbot
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
Gofal Cymru is a Welsh mental health charity. The charity was established eighteen years ago to provide housing and support services to people being resettled from long stay institutional care. Originally named Gofal Housing Trust and operating solely in the County Borough of Bridgend the charity now has a national presence delivering a wide portfolio of crisis, housing, homelessness, employment and training services across Wales.
Prior to joining Gofal Cymru Ewan worked for six years as Head of Community Services at Swansea Housing Association (Now Coastal Housing). He has been a Trustee of Shelter Cymru for eleven years where he will stand down following a five year term as Chair in March 2010.
Ewan started his career in housing as a volunteer housing and welfare rights advisor and spent many years working as a support worker working primarily with young people leaving care and vulnerable families.
-
Kevin Hughes (Vice Chair) Director of Care and Support for the Pennaf Housing Group in North Wales
Kevin has worked in the Care, Support and Housing sector all his professional working life. He joined the Pennaf Housing Group some 12 years ago having previously been the Head of the Registration, Inspection and Complaints Units of both Conwy and before that, Clwyd County Council. He has a wealth of management experience in the health and social care sectors and, that experience has covered both strategy and policy formulation, performance management, financial management and all the other pre-requite skills that go along with managing a diverse business with over 250 staff. His practical experience has included working in residential care homes for the elderly and clients with a learning disability, generic social work, nursing in both the general and learning disabilities fields and homes in the private sector. Kevin was also a nurse in the Royal Air Force for 9 years. By profession he is a qualified nurse in both general and learning disability disciplines and he is also qualified Social Worker and he also holds various additional qualifications relating to management generally.
Outside work Kevin is involved in a range of community activities locally, he is a Member of the Community Health Council, a Governor at his local Comprehensive School, a Town Councillor and he is also a member of the local Lions International Club.
-
Shelagh Iles Supported Housing Manager Rhondda Housing Association
Shelagh is one of the founder members of Cymorth Cymru and uses this role to regularly develop her own learning, to support Cymorth staff and to disseminate policy information to local audiences within my Local Authority area. I am also an observer on the RCT Supporting People Planning Group and a Trustee on several Boards which enables her to be up to date with strategic, governance and probity issues.
Shelagh regularly works jointly with colleagues from both the housing and the voluntary sector fields to provide and improve service delivery for vulnerable people including pilot partnership projects. She has an in-depth knowledge of key legislation and guidance on Supporting People and maintain networks internally and externally to ensure good practice underpins our work and enables us to strive for continuous improvement.
With 21 years experience of working in social housing, the past 9 within supported housing. She has been employed as the Supported Housing Manager at RHA with overall responsibility to lead on the development of supported housing and to raise the profile. She has direct responsibility for a team of nine staff providing generic floating housing support service to a variety of vulnerable individuals within the community who are at risk of homelessness whatever their age or tenure. She has an MSc in Collaborative Community Care and Public Health, completed the Institute of Leadership and Management - Board Member Training in 2006, along with the Management & Leadership Training Award (Training Services WAles) and last year passed a City & Guilds Level 3 - Delivering a Learning Programme.
-
Hugh Irwin Linc Cymru
Linc-Cymru specialises in the affordable housing, social care and health sectors in Wales. We have successfully operated in the independent, not for profit sector for over 30 years. We have two primary strands to our business Linc Homes and Linc Care.
Linc Care work with older people, people with dementia, people with physical and learning disabilities, homeless people and those with mental health problem. They cover the follow local authorities:-
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Neath port Talbot
- Newport
- Torfaen
Hugh has over 15 years experience of working in social care, supported housing/homelessness services and drug and alcohol services - including several years at senior, strategic and operational levels. He has experience of working with a wide range of service user groups including older people, young disabled adults, people with substance dependencies and people with mental health problems. Hugh is registered as the ‘Responsible Individual’ on behalf of Linc with CSSIW
-
Alun S. Nutt B.A. (Hons) Development Manager for Cartrefi Cymru
Cartrefi Cymru represent people with Learning Disabilities, people with autistic spectrum disorders, people with physical disabilities, older citizens, people with substance abuse issues. We also provide services to the families and carers of people in these groups in the form of community respite and short stay residential services.
They currently deliver services in the following local authority areas: Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, RCT, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Powys, Wrexham, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, Ynys Mon.
Alun has 17 years experience with Cartrefi Cymru at all levels including direct support and service management. He was heavily involved in the Ely resettlement process and subsequent development of supporting people services. Lead person within Cartrefi for housing benefits, housing management and general legislative matters (eg MCA) as well as liaison with Housing Associations and other external stakeholders. He has expertise in budget calculations and management for SPG and Community Care services.
-
Sue Prosser Principal Officer for Dewis Limited
Dewis provides supported accommodation, information and advice for young people aged between 16 and 25 in the Neath Port Talbot County.Sue has worked for over 15 years in the supported housing sector with Dewis. This is a voluntary organisation that has developed a range of services in the Neath Port Talbot County Borough to address homelessness and associated issues with young people 16-25. She has been a trustee with the Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service for a number of years and I am a member of the personnel sub group.
-
Andrew Reid MBA, BA, DPE General Manager, Digartref Ynys Môn
Digartref Ynys Môn was formed as a Company limited by guarantee and a Registered Charity in 1998. The overall aim of the Company is to help to alleviate homelessness on the island of Anglesey. The core facilities include a supported housing project (8 bedded hostel) for single homeless young people, a shared housing project (for 4 young people), and a Floating Support project for single young people and lone parents in their own tenancies.
In addition, the Company manages a Day Centre (the Lighthouse) and a Temporary Winter Nightshelter for Rough Sleepers; an emergency accommodation project (Nightstop) for 16-18 year olds; and a Family Mediation Service.
The Company also operates a community-based Homelessness Prevention Service, via a staff of five Development workers focusing on education, training and tenant support.
Before his appointment to Digartref Ynys Môn in 2002, Andrew had a 30 year Local Government career in Community Services and Leisure, before taking early retirement as Programme Area (Executive) Director with Rotherham Metropolitan Council, South Yorkshire. He subsequently took a 2 year Project Management appointment with Barnsley Health Authority before returning to North Wales to manage Digartref Ynys Môn.
His expertise includes strategic management, community development, and adult and young peoples support services.
-
Elwen Roberts Development Worker for De Gwynedd Women's Aid
Elwen worked as an advocate for the physically disabled before moving to work for Women's Aid. She is the Chair of Gwynedd Supporting People Forum an Executive board member of Welsh Women's Aid a board member of Mantell Gwynedd and a member of the Disability Appeal Tribunal. She comes from a farming background and have a keen interest in rural affairs.
Elwen has 21 Years experience working in Supported Housing and has achieved an MCIH, FdSc Housing Studies, HNC Supported Housing, RSA diploma in community group's organisation and CSTC counselling skills. She is a fluent Welsh speaker and has experience of strategic reviews and has knowledge of issues affecting support providers, support workers and service users at grass roots level
-
Angelina Rodriques Director of Service Delivery for BAWSO Women's Aid
BAWSO represents black and minority ethnic women and children, who are, or are about to be made homeless through domestic abuse. They work in all Local authority areas across Wales.
In 2007 Angelina was promoted to Director of Service Delivery at BAWSO Women's Aid with overall responsibility of service delivery across Wales. Previously (2003-2007) Floating Support/ Development Manager; during this period she successfully developed BAWSO Floating Support Project across Wales and the first BME refuge in South West.
Angelina is a board member of Mewn Cymru, an umbrella body representing ethnic minority (visible and non visible) women across Wales. Since 2006 she has been a board member of ABESU a UK charity established to advance sustainable responses to the relief of poverty in Africa. She is also an active board member for Tai Pawb promoting race equality and social justice in housing in Wales and in 2002-2003 was a board member of Race Equality First (Cardiff)
In 2000 she graduated from University Wales Institute Cardiff with a Bsc (Hons) Housing Policy and Practice
-
Chris Rutson Head of Support Services for United Welsh Housing Association
Chris started her career at Adamsdown Housing Association (now part of Cardiff Community) from 1979 – 1983. I returned to work in housing, after a career break, joining United Welsh as a housing officer in 1991. Having gained an interest in Supported Housing as a Board member for Cwm Rhymni Action Group (now part of Llamau) and while studying for an M.Sc. in Housing, I became Support Services Manager at United Welsh in 2000. In February 2006 I was promoted to the role of Head of Support Services.
As well as serving on the Board of Cymorth, I chair the Community Housing Cymru Support Services Forum and the Welsh Women's Aid ASP Board.