Our Staff
Sally Ferris is the founder and CEO of TDS. She has worked with older people in Manchester, Trafford and Salford for 30 years. She has an MSc in Dementia Care and has managed the Dementia Support Service for Salford Age UK, running a DoH pilot project to set up and evaluate peer support for people with dementia. Sally loves the opportunities TDS has to have to offer innovative services that respond to local people’s needs – to make a difference on the ground.
Vicky Allsop joined Together Dementia Support in 2018, and works as the Business Support Manager. Vicky has over 9 years’ experience of working in the Charity Sector with older, vulnerable people. Previous work includes managing services supporting older people in the community, providing various support services for people with vision impairments, and organising and providing daily activities for residents at a nursing home with EMI ward. Vicky has a MSc in Social Psychology and BSc Hons in Psychology.
Dorothy Allen has worked for TDS for a number of years, assisting with the ‘Together in Song’ Gospel Choir and then also running the ‘Game for the Brain’ group. Dorothy has been a carer herself, looking after her Dad with dementia. Dorothy says: ‘It has been extremely satisfying supporting members who otherwise may not interact outside of the home, and begin to see them socialise and form friendships’. Dorothy also works as an Occupational Health Nurse, sings in her spare time, and is very active in her local church at Brooks Bar.
Jo Brizland-Cullen is a Dementia Group Leader with 30 years’ experience of working with older people. She has worked as a Hospital Discharge & Reablement Service Manager, and is a qualified Fitness & Brain Health Trainer, and Yoga teacher. She has spoken publicly about her dad’s journey with dementia; he had early onset Frontal Temporal Dementia. Jo is passionate about improving life for those living with Dementia and their carers.
Lucy Temby is a part time Dementia Group Leader, running the ‘Concert in the Lounge’ group and sharing the running of the Moss Side Group with Jo. Lucy studied Music in her home city, at the University of Sydney. She then came to the UK and completed her Masters in Music Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music. During this time, she developed an interest in community outreach and participatory music. She has since set up a CIC, ‘Sound Up Arts’, and runs a dementia choir and other music projects outside of her work for TDS.
Maddie Herbert is a part time Dementia Support Worker and Administration Assistant at TDS. She will often be your first port of call when contacting the office. She has volunteered as administrative help and as a Heritage Volunteer at The Pankhurst Centre before joining the TDS team. Maddie has a Music degree and is a jazz harpist in several successful bands.
Faiza Chaudhri is a part time Dementia Group Leader, running the pioneering ‘Pyaari Yaadein’ group and developing our service to South Asian people affected by dementia. Having grown up in Manchester, she is well connected in the local communities which has been invaluable in starting a new group. She has experience in community health development, counselling and training. Faiza brings this experience, together with that of caring for family members, and her natural enthusiasm, into her work.
Claire Marrett is the Senior Dementia Group Leader. She joined TDS in 2019, and has worked in Salford for the last ten years – supporting carers and people living dementia for Age UK Salford. She also did engagement work with the Institute for Dementia at Salford University. She has a PGCert in Dementia and the Enabling Environment.
Elaine Barrett is a part-time Dementia Support Worker. As the minibus driver, many of us will already know Elaine! You can catch her behind reception at the Kath Locke Centre when she is not working for TDS!
Rachel Speirs is part-time Administration Assistant at Together Dementia Support. Rachel is also a freelance singer, singing teacher, and music facilitator and recently graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music. She has worked closely with SoundUp Arts and most recently with Healthy Arts in Wigan. She has also previously held an administration role at the RNCM as Chorus Manager. Rachel loves cooking (especially curries!) and doing yoga in her spare time.
Ali Sarwar is a part-time Dementia Support Worker, who works with the ‘Pyaari Yaadein’ group and is developing our service to South Asian people affected by dementia. Ali is a qualified solicitor and is passionate about working with those living with dementia and their carers especially those who could be very vulnerable due to language difficulties.
Shafa Begum is a Dementia Support Worker and joined TDS in August 2020. For the past 16 years she has worked at the Bangladeshi Women’s Organisation as a mental health worker supporting Bangladeshi women with complex mental health issues. She has been involved in running peer support groups which give advice/advocacy work on benefits, housing, debt, appeals, etc. Supporting those with dementia is something that is close to her heart as she helped care for her father who had dementia for 10 years.
Our Trustees
Hilary Moules has worked in both public and private sector and brings project management, business management and commercial management skills to TDS. She is working closely with Sally on strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Maria Walsh was diagnosed 6 years ago with Alzheimer’s type of dementia at the age of 59 and had a difficult few years coming to terms with the diagnosis. Maria has become an ambassador for people living with dementia. She has spoken at the UK’s Dementia Congress and is an advisor on a board at Salford University’s Dementia Hub. She also assisted in the production of Manchester’s most recent Dementia Strategy. Maria was a founding member of TDS’ Fabulous Forgetful Friends group. She continues to attend and assist others at our groups as well as being an active grandparent and maintaining her own health and wellbeing.
Val Steele retired from work to care for her mum who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia and who attended several TDS groups. Val also attends the Carers’ Drop-In. Val has varied work experience as a Court Officer, Children’s Guardian, Probation Officer, Nurse and Civil Servant.
Rev Bob Day has been a minister of churches for 25 years, listening and working with older people; some who have dementia and are socially isolated. He has managed many projects and works with a participatory, community development model of engagement that seeks to involve and support people in creating their own solutions e.g. Melody Memories – a singing activity for those living with dementia.
Sallie Bridgen has over 25 years experience in housing and supported housing, developing and managing services to support vulnerable people. She is Joint Chief Executive of Housing Diversity Network, a social enterprise working to increase diversity in housing. She is also a freelance Health and Housing Consultant, and a Board Member on a Housing Association. She was a carer for her mother.
Lesley Perkins has worked within the Public Sector for over 35 years. She has a MA in Management and is a qualified Social Worker. She has extensive knowledge and experience of complex change management programs and working within a strategic partnership: managing systems, ICT Governance, as well as hands on support to those living with Dementia. She was also a carer for her mum.
Amanda Woodvine brings around two decades’ experience of NGO governance and operations, including community engagement, advocacy, campaigns, publishing, and marketing. Since 2014, she has worked as Chief Executive of a small national charity working on behalf of older adults.
David Simpson is a volunteer with TDS and was a carer for his mother during her struggle with dementia. An accountant by profession he has extensive experience in the Charity sector as trustee, volunteer and as a consultant.