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

C​hair

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.
 

 

 

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

S​ocial 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. 
 
 
 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

S​helly Lanchbury

H​R 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.

Madeline Robinson

I am a language and communication professional with eight years’ experience working in offices, universities and schools across the North West. Today I work in Manchester as an audiovisual translation project manager with a specialism in subtitling. As a volunteer Named Accessibility Champion I also work to raise awareness of Disability Community matters and promote access to information for all. I am a hearing person and was introduced to the D/deaf community through subtitle translation. I subsequently undertook training in SDH to better my understanding of D/deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audiences. I achieved my BSL Level 1 thanks to a course at MDC and am currently studying for my Level 2 BSL with plans to reach Level 6 in the future.

 

Christos Argyropoulos

I am a chartered accountant with significant experience both in practice and industry, and I currently work as a financial accounting manager for a large facilities services group. I am a hearing person and was introduced to the deaf community through my current role as Treasurer of the MDC. On a personal development basis, I am hoping to attend BSL courses at the MDC in the future and improve my awareness of the deaf community and its needs.

 

 

Bryony Parkes

Bryony was born deaf and attended a deaf grammar school going on to eventually undertake a Masters degree in Youth Work and Community Development. She has worked in the deaf charity sector for nearly fifteen years managing services for deaf young people with a special interest in youth development and involving young people in decision making. Bryony is currently the strategic lead for children and young people's services at a national deaf charity and is a Designated Safeguarding Officer. Outside of work life, she enjoys parkrun, swimming and volunteers at her local junior parkrun events. 

 

Christopher Coles

Hello, I am Christopher Coles. I use both spoken English and British sign Language.

I am a team leader for Sign Assist which provides a pioneering new service: a helpline for Deaf and hearing-impaired people, staffed by Deaf and hearing-impaired advisors using British Sign Language. Part of my role is making sure what diversity and inclusion means to Connect Assist, and that the business recognises that the deaf community have been painfully under-served. This work developed my understanding of my role with HR, leading to me delivering development courses for the team. I am also now doing a foundation degree in business management, which gives me a better understanding how to support businesses and charities.

I wanted to become Trustee of MDC because I believe there is so much potential and a great future for the centre in developing what is needed for the community. I hope to share my skills with others across the community.

 


Thank you to our partners


Our Opening Times

If you would like to know more about
any of our services, please get in touch.

ADDRESS
Manchester Deaf Centre,
Crawford House,
Booth Street East,
M13 9GH

MONDAY - FRIDAY
09:00 – 17:00

CONTACT US

0161 273 3415
info@manchesterdeafcentre.com

Registered Charity Number: 1110373