About Us

Carers Northumberland was established in 2008,  originally there were two separate carers projects running in Northumberland, Carer Link which was based in Belford and Carers Together which was based in Ashington.  A steering group consisting of carers, representatives from the local authority, the healthcare trust, and the voluntary sector was formed to look at how the two existing projects could be developed into a countywide service for all carers in Northumberland.  Carers Northumberland was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and registered charity in 2008 with a board of Trustees and with funding from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the Northern Rock Foundation and the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund.

Today our core funding is from Northumberland County Council Adult Services, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) and Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group.  In addition to our core funding we have project specific funding from The North of Tyne Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council Children’s Services.  We are also supported by various charitable trusts, individual and group donations to carry out our work.

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the governance and ensuring that the charity meets it’s aim and objectives.  The Chief Executive Officer, Debra Blakey, is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the service and the leadership of the staff team.

Our Trustees:

Julie Danskin – Chair of Trustee Board and portfolio lead for Quality

Dorinda Jack – Vice Chair of Trustee Board and portfolio lead for Development

Stan Cooke – Vice Chair of Trustee Board and portfolio lead for Carer Engagement and Involvement

Peter Stonell – Trustee and portfolio lead for Finance and Funding (Treasurer)

Anne Arter – Trustee and portfolio lead for HR

Angela De’Travernent – Trustee and portfolio lead for Partnerships

Val Hodgson – Trustee and portfolio lead for Policies

Lilian Nelson – Trustee and portfolio lead for Trustee Recruitment

Julie Birkin-Nicholl – Trustee

Anne Moore – Trustee

Our staff team:

Debra Blakey – Chief Executive

Lisa Mordue – Service Delivery Manager

Anne-Marie Johnston – Young Carer Service Coordinator

Karen Lightley – Young Carer Activity and Link Worker

Laurie Wilson – Finance and Administration Assistant

Naomi Carr – Carer Information and Advice Worker

Hannah Corcoran – Carer Information and Advice Worker

Dan Mackay – Carer Information and Advice Worker

Hayley Mathews – Carer Information and Advice Worker (Mental Health)

Rea Rahman – Carers into Work Advisor

The charity’s patron is  Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland.