Meet the team

SALLY FERRIS BSc, MA, MSc Dementia Care

Founder & CEO

Sally 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.

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FIONA BROWN

Business Support Manager

Fiona has spent the last ten years working in the public sector across Greater Manchester. Her experience includes programmes across public policy, health, arts, heritage, culture and co-ordinating public sector responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. For her, joining the TDS team was a natural step, where she can put her skills and experience into action to make a real difference to the lives of everyday people in Manchester.
 

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CLAIRE MARRETT

Senior Dementia Group Leader

Claire 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.

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CHERYL HOWARTH

Finance Business Support Officer

Cheryl joined TDS at the beginning of 2021 and her main role is to look after the bookkeeping function but also helps out with Administration when required. She is new to the charity sector, having previously worked for many years in a similar accounts/admin role with a small company organising training events for local authority staff and councillors. She likes to spend her spare time researching family history and is also a keen ballroom dancer!

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ANNE de ROUFFIGNAC 

Business Support Officer

Anne has volunteered with Together Dementia Support from almost the beginning, including our Alexandra Park Walk & Talk and her current role as Lead Volunteer. She recently gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia Care from the University of Manchester. Anne led our Tech Together project, supporting members and carers with keeping in touch online during lockdown, and has a passion for building music playlists for our members, listening out for those vital few words or melodies that help them to sing, dance and shine! We are very excited to welcome her to our staff team. 

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DOROTHY ALLEN

Dementia Group Leader

Dorothy 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.

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JO BRIZLAND-CULLEN

Dementia Group Leader

Jo 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.

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FAIZA CHAUDHRI

Dementia Group Leader

Faizarunning 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.

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ZSUZSA FÖLDES (Suzi)

Dementia Group Leader

Zsuzsa joined Together Dementia Support in August 2021 as a Dementia Group Leader, and she also works with the Carers Manchester South Partnership. She has experience working with older adults as a carer, and is also a registered music therapist as well as doing her PhD in music therapy. She is passionate about music and supporting people with Dementia and their carers.

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ANNA HULME

Dementia Group Leader

Anna joined Together Dementia Support in 2021 as a Dementia Group Leader after spending 20 years as a Personal Trainer and Ballet Barre Fitness Instructor within the local community. She has a keen interest in behaviour change, mental health and overall well-being. She achieved a degree in Sport Psychology, specialising in the Pyscholog of Ageing and Motivational Interviewing. 

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Alongside her work she has volunteered at many local groups including day centres for Age UK and at Rafiki peer support group at Salford University. Anna is also an active volunteer for British Cycling helping at local events in Alexandra Park, another aspect of her volunteering is as a Guided Ride Leader.

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Seeing smiles on faces, caring for others and combating isolation is what she hopes to achieve at TDS.

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ALI SARWAR

Dementia Group Leader

Ali is a part-time Dementia Support worker who works with the Pyaari Yaadein group and is developing our service to South Asian members of our community affected by Dementia. Alis is a qualified solicitor and is passionate about working with those living with Dementia and their carers, especially those who cold be very vulnerable due to language difficulties. 

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SHAFA BEGUM

Dementia Support Worker

Shafa joined Together Dementia Support in August 2020, and help with the Urdu and Bengali support we offer. For the past 16 years, she has worked at the Bangladeshi Women's Organisation as a mental health worker supporting Bangladeshi women with mental health issues. She has been involved in running peer support groups which give advice / advocacy work on benefits, housing, debt, appeals etc. Supporting people living with Dementia is something that is close to her heart as she helped care for her father who lived with Dementia for 10 years.