Trustees

I have been Treasurer of the Society since July 2021. My background is in Finance and I recently retired as Finance Director of a business based in Leeds.

My role is to ensure good financial management and governance. I am fortunate to be assisted by a very competent accounts and administration team who manage all the day-to-day activities of the Society. I am very proud to be involved with the Society, which provides a useful service for the Deaf and Blind communities  in Leeds

I have a lifelong hearing loss corrected by hearing aids. Now I am retired I have too many hobbies and activities to name, but learning  BSL is on my bucket list!

I became involved in LSDBP initially as a Social Club member when it reopened in the new building. I then became Secretary of the Social Club and also started working as a volunteer in the cafe for the +55 group which meets on Tuesdays. 

I assist in running Social Squad events at the Centre on Saturday afternoons twice a month and joined the weekly deaf drama group.

I’m the proud partner of Hearing Dog, Freddy - who is at the Centre so often, he probably now sees it as his second home!

I have been a member of the Leeds Involvement Project (LIP) board for a few years and became a trustee of the Society as, at that time, there were few blind members on the committee. I have the time to give and bring with me the experience of being on other charity boards.

My first contact with the Society was 33 years ago, in 1990, when I started to attend with my son who is Deaf. I started to learn BSL and Centenary House was a lifeline for helping me to get involved in the community and improving my communication. I volunteered for many years at Youth Club and Play Schemes. In 2012, I became a trustee on the board and have been supporting the Society ever since in this role. 

Currently, I am studying to achieve my level 3 BSL. I run a café for the community fortnightly with three amazing volunteers. I enjoy spending time in the Deaf community, and attend lots of their events. 

In my free time, I like walking, wildlife, and pootling about in the garden (though I wouldn't say I’m a gardener!) I love going to the beach and walking in the sand. When warm enough I will swim in the sea, but very rarely in this country! Love being with family and friends. 

I believe that equality should be shared by all. The Society helps to give people opportunities that they would not normally have, leading to a more equal society.