MDC Trustees

Claire Cummings

C​hair

Claire Holland

Vice C​hair

Claire was born deaf and attended deaf school also Derby College studies NVQ Business Studies. Claire has a strong area in organisation and administrative skills that Claire's passion being organised. Claire's previous employment was at RAD as Youth coordinator, Uclan university as Secretary working with iSLanDs (international sign language and Deaf Studies) and so on. Currently employed Citizens Advice in Sheffield within Deaf Advice Team as Generalist Advice. Claire was also a former employee at Manchester Deaf Centre with different roles during my time there 2020 till 2023. I was so delighted to be back as Vice Chair within MDC Trustee as I have heart and support for MDC where my heart is which I always smiled entering into MDC with warm welcome. In my spare time I like to enjoy spending time with my family and meeting friends for food/drinks.

Ahdil Dad

S​hadow Trustee

Almas Patankar

V​ice Chair

Almas is a solicitor with experience in practice within private client and works for a leading Manchester city-centre law firm. She brings her legal knowledge, strategic thinking and commitment to good governance to her role as Vice Chair of Manchester Deaf Centre.

Almas is hearing and is currently studying British Sign Language. Through learning BSL, she has developed a deeper appreciation of Deaf culture and the communication barriers Deaf people continue to experience. She hopes to help MDC improve accessibility, promote inclusion and help to ensure that Deaf people can participate fully and independently in the services and communities around them.

Almas is proud to support Manchester Deaf Centre and its vital work with Manchester’s diverse Deaf community. She is hopes to help keep the Centre sustainable, inclusive and responsive to the changing needs of the people it serves.

Outside work, Almas enjoys travelling, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

Bryony Parkes

Safeguarding Lead

Bryony is deaf and has worked in the deaf charity sector for fifteen years in a variety of operations and leadership roles. She has a Masters degree in Youth Work and Community Development and has a special interest in young people, particularly in how they can influence decision making. Bryony is currently the strategic lead for support services at a national deaf charity overseeing therapy, domestic abuse and children and young people services plus leads on safeguarding. Outside of work life, she enjoys parkrun, swimming and volunteers at her local junior parkrun events.

Christos Argyropoulos

T​reasurer

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

Mohammed Hasnaine

T​rustee

Mohammed is studying Business and Management at the University of Lancashire and is a Deaf BSL user. He is passionate about supporting the Deaf community, improving accessibility, and understanding business strategy and organisational development. As a Trustee at Manchester Deaf Centre, he is committed to contributing to good governance, helping address business challenges, working with the board, and supporting the Centre’s mission to create positive opportunities for Deaf people. His hobby is travelling around the world, new learning new things about business and playing America football. 

G​race Cluskey

T​rustee

Hannah Bateup

Shadow T​rustee

Pauline Roberts

Trustee - Finance & Risk Subcomittee

Qamar Un Nisa Aamir

T​rustee

Sam Johnson

T​rustee

Sam acquired hearing loss in her twenties and has since become a passionate advocate for accessibility, inclusion and equal participation. She am currently learning British Sign Language and continues to develop her understanding of Deaf culture and the experiences of Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people.Professionally, she works as a Programme Manager at The University of Manchester, leading large-scale transformation and digital change programmes. She also recently completed a Master's degree focused on disability inclusion in higher education. She is delighted to serve as a Trustee of Manchester Deaf Centre and to support an organisation that makes such a positive difference to people across Greater Manchester. She hopes to use both her professional experience and lived experience of hearing loss to help the Centre continue its important work and strengthen opportunities for the communities it serves.