Staff

Name: Catherine Cleary
 
Job title: Founder of First Steps Derbyshire & CEO
 
Main job priorities:
  • Leading and managing the organisation
  • Work with the board to define strategies to implement and further develop the business plan
  • Develop operational policies to ensure services and activities are implemented effectively
  • Have responsibility for day to day financial management of the charity, including preparation of budgets for agreement by the relevant committee of trustees
  • Defines the resources needed to operate effectively and develop relationships with statutory grant makers and high value supporters
  • Lead the staff team and conduct their supervision and annual appraisals against agreed personal objectives
  • Represents FSD and acts as the “public face” of  the charity in press and public appearances when required 
Background information:
 
First Steps Derbyshire was founded by Cathy Cleary in January 2004 as a small help group which ran twice per month. Cathy developed an eating disorder in 1981 when there was very little knowledge and information about eating disorders and no help available to her.  For many years she suffered in silence until she reached the point when she knew that she had to help herself or die. Although it was very difficult and she felt very isolated and alone, she began to develop strategies and coping mechanisms which helped her on a day to day basis. 
Cathy made the decision to set up First Steps as she did not want people to have to suffer the same lonely and isolating experience as she had. Cathy has used her personal experiences (and there are many!) to support and encourage other people in similar situations. She has dedicated the past 6 years of her life to running the charity and raising awareness and understanding of eating difficulties and disorders.    
 
Name: Danielle Sinclair
 
Job title: Young Person's Coordinator
 
Main job priorities:  
  • Providing information and support to people affected by eating disorders
  • Coordinating and running First Steps Hyped - the support service for young people aged 12-25
  • Running support groups
  • Providing 1-2-1 support face to face, by email, text, Facebook or phone
  • Delivering training to young people and professionals
  • Raising awareness about eating disorders in the community and reducing stigma
  • Representing service users to management of major organisations such as the NHS
  • Advocating for people affected by eating disorders to make sure that they get what they're entitled to
  • Organising activities to reduce the social isolation experienced by people with eating disorders
  • Running the young person's steering group to make sure that young people get a say in how we run
  • Represents FSD and takes part in press and public appearances when required
Background information:
 
Danielle first used First Steps Derbyshire as a service user when she came out of hospital in 2006.  Danielle has suffered from depression and eating difficulties from the age of 13.  She was bullied for 10 years and the low self esteem she experienced ultimately affected her mental health.  Danielle struggled to complete GCSEs and A Levels to the exacting standards that she requires in her perfectionist nature.  After finishing her degree in Counselling and Therapeutic Studies, her self esteem hit an all time low to the point where she felt that she didn't even deserve to eat.  Danielle was hospitalized in 2005 with severe anorexia and stayed in Riverdale Grange for a year.  She worked incredibly hard on her recovery but really struggled when she came out of hospital.  There were no services to be referred out to, so she started to deteriorate, venturing into bulimia and binge eating disorder.  If she hadn't have found First Steps in 2006, she would either have ended up back in hospital or worse.  Danielle continued to access support groups and therapy for the next 3 years until she felt at a stage that she was able to get back into support work.  When the job came up at First Steps, she knew she had to have it - and was very lucky to get it!  She loves her job and is passionate about making sure that other people don't suffer like she did.
 
Name: Rob Dawes
 
Job Title: Volunteer Co-Coordinator
 
Main job priorities:
  • Recruit, train and manage volunteers
  • Co facilitation of Thursday evening group
  • Delivering eating disorder training to a range of professionals, service users and institutions
  • Raising awareness and understanding of eating disorders in the community
  • Working closely with service users, professionals and families to make sure motivation is maximized and opportunities to improve the service are gained
  • Implementation of PQASSO
Background information:
 
Rob joined First Steps Derbyshire after a career with a leading UK financial services company after deciding that he wanted to change the direction of his career. Rob was responsible for the training and development of financial advisors and also has considerable experience in recruitment and project implementation. He is passionate about skills development and helping individuals to achieve their potential and fulfill their goals. These transferable skills are essential to help the volunteers of First Steps Derbyshire develop and grow in their roles, and ultimately will enhance the service offered to our service users.  Rob has had personal experience of eating disorders from a family member. Rob's aim is to help First Step's Derbyshire to continue to develop and evolve to provide a high quality service that meets the individual needs of each of its service users
 
Name: Naomi Wildgoose
 
Job title: Young Persons Support Worker
 
Main job priorities:  
  • Help planning and leading support groups
  • Gives support via email, Facebook and text
  • Supports the Danielle with any tasks that need doing, including admin work 
Background information:
 
I became involved with first steps about two years ago where I attended the Thursday night group as a service user. First Steps had a huge role to play in my recovery and helping other people who are going through the same problems that I did is something I care a lot about. Since I started using the service it has grown and now not only is there a group on Thursdays there is a young person’s group on Wednesdays, which I now help plan, deliver and participate in. Other than working for first steps I am studying nutrition at Sheffield Hallam University, and would one day like to work as a nutritionist for people with eating disorders.
 
Name: Tajinder Adnan
 
Job Title: Outreach Worker
 
Main job priorities:
  • Raising awareness of eating disorders in the BME community
  • Raising awareness of eating disorders in the wider community
  • Managing the befriending project on a day to day basis
Background Information: 
 
Name: Marc Thrasivoulou
 
Job title: Administrative Support worker
 
Main job priorities:
  • Supports Jenna, Danielle and Cathy in their administrative tasks.
  • Organizes the documents for Wednesday and Thursday group attendances and evaluations.
  • Produces the seasonal First Steps Derbyshire newsletter
  • Helps with the Live chat and Forums on the First Steps website
Background information:
 
Previous to being employed by First Steps Derbyshire, Marc was a service user. For a period of around 10 months, Marc attended the Wednesday night group (HYPED) which is targeted at young people who suffer with eating difficulties. By attending the groups on Wednesday evening’s Marc felt much less socially isolated and feels that the groups run by First Steps played a huge role in the recovery from his eating disorder. Marc no longer struggles with food and can safely say that he is fully recovered. Currently Marc is employed by First Steps and works 12 hours a week as an administrative support worker. He is also studying Sports and Exercise Science at Derby University. 
 
Name: Alyson Powell
 
Job title: Office Junior
 
Main job priorities:
  • Supports Rob, Danielle and Cathy in their administrative tasks
  • Ensures the smooth running of the office
  • Managing supplies of stationery, refreshments and supplies for the bathrooms
  • General office/kitchen tidiness
  • Answering incoming calls
  • Managing the post and email
  • Greeting visitors
  • Filing, photocopying and binding/laminating
  • Updating of contact lists
  • Scheduling meeting rooms and providing refreshments
Background information:
 
Alyson as joined us as part of the Future Jobs Fund.  Alyson enjoys running, horse riding, walking her dogs and reading.  Her sister suffered from anorexia so she has an understanding of what it is like to support someone with an eating disorder.  Alyson will be with us until she gets her summons to join the Navy!