MDC Trustees

Trustees are responsible for controlling the work, management and administration of Manchester Deaf Centre on behalf of its beneficiaries. Trustees are volunteers.

John Wareham

Chair

I have worked for over thirty years, since leaving the Armed Forces, in a range of roles within the voluntary, community and faith sectors and as an independent consultant specialising in organisational strategic planning, change management and governance.

On a personal development basis, I have attended training courses on project management and developing business/strategic plans, facilitation skills for community consultants (including training the trainers and conflict resolution) and action planning. Although I have BSL level 1, like all languages, I am not proficient as I have not used BSL for a number of years. I am hard of hearing and use hearing aids and lip read to understand what people are saying.

Mike Doyle

Treasurer

Qualified accountant since 2018, who has worked in finance both in practice and industry for past nine years - currently working in the finance team of a sports travel company

Moved to Manchester from Oxford in June 2021 - keen to integrate into new community and use my finance background to help a local organisation, I found a trustee vacancy at MDC in October 2021 and have worked here since as charity treasurer

Mainly work to monitor the finances of the charity, lead a monthly finance committee call amongst trustees, and provide assistance to finance team during year end procedures"

Alistair Wright

Born deaf and with a deaf sister, Alistair attended Grammar School in Berkshire and later graduated from Sheffield Polytechnic – going on to work in support of deaf people for 26 years of his working life, in both the higher education and charity sectors. He is presently a manager at Randstad.

Christine Wright

Social Club Link

Christine was born deaf and attended the Royal School for the Deaf Community and Hazel Grove High School during her formative years. She went on to work with Revenue & Customs for 25 years, and latterly Thorn Grove Primary School in Cheadle Hulme, where she has supported and continues to offer assistance to deaf children in their learning. Christine is a keen fundraiser and organiser of large-scale Christmas Ball events – regularly securing 500 ticket sales per annum for the last 13 years.

Brian Kokoruwe

Policies and Procedures

Brian Kokoruwe holds an MA in Deaf Education (International), a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a BA (Hons) Degree in Business Studies. He has worked at various financial and educational institutions, local government and charitable organisations – and is current Founder and Consultant at Deafinitequality Group. He also offers Money Management Skills support for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people as part of his role at the Citizens Advice Bureau, Staffordshire North and Stoke on Trent.

Claire Baldwin

Fundraising Lead

My name is Claire, I was born severely-profoundly deaf. I attended mainstream schools and university, and started learning BSL in my 20s when I wanted to meet other deaf people. I'm a qualified teacher in Further Education. I've worked for several deaf charities including NDCS, RNID and Deafblind UK delivering employment and befriending services, and also worked at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation managing their volunteer programme. I currently work as the manager of Deaf Experience, a West Yorkshire based charity working with deaf young people aged 11-30.

Pauline Roberts

Lead on Media and Website Maintenance

Pauline is a qualified Reflexologist (I.I.H.H.T.) and trained Touch Typist, but due to long-term health and disability issues she is unable to work. She has previously worked in many different job settings, including working with young people and adults with special needs, and adults with long-term mental health conditions in a residential home. Pauline holds certificates in BSL History, Communication Tactics with Deaf People, Counselling Concepts, Interpersonal Skills & Making Choices, Communication Skills and Assertiveness, and Reaching out to the Community. She graduated in 2015 with an Open University Honours Degree, also gaining the Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences. Pauline is presently a volunteer mentor for students enrolled in the Psychological First Aid course presented by Coursera, an online educational course provider.

Shelly Lanchbury

HR Lead

Shelley was elected as a Councillor in Manchester in 2012 and represents the Higher Blackley Ward, in North Manchester. She has been involved in the Deaf Community and Deaf Organisations for many years - working for the Deaf Studies Trust in Bristol as well as serving as their Chair of Trustees, as Chair of Bristol Deaf Centre and working with Hearing Parents of Deaf Children. Whilst Shelley is hearing she has some BSL which she says is ‘a bit rusty I should use it more’ Shelley joined the Deaf Centre as a Trustee since 2015. She is also a School Governor and a Trustee of Lifeshare (a charity for Homeless young people). Shelley plays the clarinet in the Crumpsall Concert Band.

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MDC Trustees

John Wareham

Chair

Mike Doyle

Treasurer

Alistair Wright

Christine Wright

Social Club Link

Brian Kokoruwe

Policies and Procedures

Claire Baldwin

Fundraising Lead

Pauline Roberts

Lead on Media and Website Maintenance

Shelly Lanchbury

HR Lead

Thank you to our partners

Quick Links

Booking Made Easy

Our Opening Times

MDC Trustees

John Wareham

C​hair

Mike Doyle

Treasurer

Alistair Wright

Christine Wright

S​ocial Club Link

Brian Kokoruwe

Policies and Procedures

Claire Baldwin

Fundraising Lead

Pauline Roberts

Lead on Media and Website Maintenance

S​helly Lanchbury

H​R Lead

Thank you to our partners

Quick Links

Booking Made Easy

Our Opening Times

Chair

Social Club Link

Shelly Lanchbury

HR Lead