Maria Baranowska Marketing and Communication Officer since April 2020 Expand Maria was appointed as Ouseburn Trust's first Marketing and Communications Officer in April 2020. Maria comes from a varied marketing background but found her calling working in the charity and community sector. Living nearby, she's been a regular visitor to the Valley for years. Maria spends her spare time playing roller derby for Newcastle Roller Derby's Whippin' Hinnies under her derby name, Maria Pusherova. Her role focuses on helping the Ouseburn Trust reach new and existing audiences in order to promote the organisation's full range of projects and initiatives. Maria's office hours are 9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday.
Chris Barnard Chief Officer of Ouseburn Trust since August 2014 Expand Before joining the Trust Chris grew and managed a number of enterprising organisations with a focus on delivering social value for the local community. Most recently he worked as Trust Manager for Hartlepool NDC Trust and Director of Craghead Development Trust in County Durham. Prior to this he spent some time working within local authorities delivering community regeneration initiatives. Having worked for Byker Community Education Project nearly 10 years ago, Chris is delighted to be back at such a time of change in one of the most exciting, vibrant areas to work, with so much diversity and opportunity. Chris has also recently started competing in triathlon. He is a keen cyclist who has chaired Sunderland Clarion Cycling Club for the last 5 years as well as providing his services as a British Cycling coach. Office hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
Phil Ogg Environment Officer since August 2019. Expand Phil is supporting the work done to improve in Ouseburn's green spaces by our environmental volunteers and looking for ways to develop this further, from litter-picking to woodland management. He has worked in arts development as well as volunteer support and environmental/conservation projects alongside being a freelance gardener and woodsman. He is a community musician and well aquainted with the music scene in Ousburn, also enjoying bringing his children to Ouseburn Farm and Seven Stories. Phil works 2 days a week - usually Thursday and either Friday or Saturday depending on volunteer projects.
Diane Humberstone Victoria Tunnel Admin Officer (Maternity cover) Expand Diane provides admin support for the Victoria Tunnel tours, including bookings, and looks after the Victoria Tunnel shop. She is also a Volunteer Victoria Tunnel Guide and loves to share her enthusiasm for the Tunnel's history. Diane had taken early retirement from managing the Advisory Service Team at Gateshead Job Centre and has a wealth of experience in achieving high quality customer service. She has also been a volunteer researcher and database supervisor for the Northumbria World War One Commemoration Project. Diane works 9-5 Monday-Wednesday
Heather Richardson Heritage Officer since September 2018 Expand Heather has extensive experience in museums, including the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, and is currently also working one day a week as Regional Conservator for the North East, employed by Bowes Museum. As well as her work in conservation and heritage she has a personal interest in architecture and the built environment and a passion for enabling buildings and communities to tell their stories. When Heather first visited Tyneside she remembers looking over the Ouseburn Valley from the Metro bridge and being so captivated by the sight that when they moved to Newcastle they chose to live just off City Stadium to enjoy all that Ouseburn offers. Email Heather here
Kelly Thompson Victoria Tunnel Admin & Development Support Officer since June 2016 - Kelly is currently on maternity leave Expand Kelly welcomes visitors, takes bookings for Victoria Tunnel Tours and is developing our merchandise offer alongside Tours. Since 2017 she has also been developing special events in the Victoria Tunnel - from concerts to Halloween to Santa tours. Before this Kelly was a nurse and a chef. Outside of her working role Kelly is a volunteer guide for the Victoria Tunnel and loves being underground. Working hours: 10.30am-5pm Monday-Friday. *Kelly is currently on maternity leave* Email Kelly here
Julie Carr Finance Officer since October 2013 Expand Julie does the Trust’s day to day book-keeping, as well as financial reporting and project monitoring. Before starting work for the Trust Julie worked in the voluntary sector, co-managing a domiciliary care agency in Heaton and directly reporting to the Board of Trustees and other stakeholders. Outside of work Julie is kept busy with her two young daughters. Working hours 8.30am-4.30pm Monday - Tuesday Email Julie here
Lesley Turner Operations Officer for Ouseburn Trust since November 2013 Expand Lesley manages the office and keeps everything running smoothly for the Trust. She edits Ouseburn Valley News and keeps the website up to date. She enjoys meeting members, volunteers and visitors. Before taking on this role Lesley had been working in events and promotion for Age UK North Tyneside, including organising the Age Takes Centre Stage Festival every October. Before that she ran an energy efficiency advice centre in Newcastle and worked in rural community development in County Durham.She has also written 2 full length shows and 10 short plays reclaiming stories from Tyneside’s heritage, for outdoor performance by North Tyneside Community Theatre. Lesley has been visiting and enjoying the Ouseburn Valley for many years, from Byker City Farm to gigs at The Cluny, story telling at The Cumberland Arms, and as a member of Northern Print. Working hours 9am-3.30pm Monday – Friday You can email her here.
Clive Goodwin Victoria Tunnel Co-ordinator since 2010 Expand Clive is the co-ordinator of guided tours of the Victoria Tunnel, setting up the programme of tours and special events and managing a team of volunteer guides. He is currently looking for new volunteers to help the team on those guided tours and if that is something you think you would like to do, please contact Clive on 0191 2616596. Clive worked as a Civil Servant, until taking early retirement in 2007. During his career Clive enjoyed working with people in a variety of Child Benefit and National Insurance roles. In particular, Clive was involved in the early identification of Identity Fraud (stolen and miss-use of National Insurance numbers). That role rapidly evolved in the early 1990s as fraudulent use of identities increased and means of dealing with it had to be developed and Clive thoroughly enjoyed that work. Clive also enjoyed his roles as a manager of Refunding incorrect or excess National Insurance contributions and as Staff Suggestion Co-ordinator, helping ideas to be developed, introducing those ideas to the National Insurance system and rewarding the individual suggestors for their ideas. In his spare time, Clive is a keen cyclist, gardener and secretary of a local Golf Society. His main interest though is his family and friends. Working hours: Monday and Friday, 10am - 5 pm. Contact Clive here