Lucy Evans Project Manager Endeavour House Expand Having volunteered for the Integrated Offender Management team in Probation and subsequently worked for them for a year, I joined Shekinah 2.5 years ago as the trainer at Endeavour House. Three months later I managed to land the role of Project Manager so my day to day life now consists of everything from dealing with probation supervision to practical advice, food parcel referrals, finance meetings and overseeing building work. In my spare time I am a Mum of 4 who suffers a weekly spinning class in order to indulge my occasional love of cake!
Peter Woad Human Resources Manager & Company Secretary Expand Peter joined Shekinah in March 2004 as an administrator, after having worked in various roles including software engineering. He was appointed Human Resources Manager in August 2006 and Company Secretary in January 2014. His current role also encompasses payroll and pensions, data protection compliance and acting as secretary to the Trustees. Outside Shekinah, Peter is a member of a local church, Underwood Chapel in Plympton.
Steve Withers Finance Manager Expand Steve joined Shekinah as Finance Manager in 2005 having had nearly 30 years accounting experience including at a small firm of Chartered Accountants and some multi-national companies in the retail and the service sector. Steve is a family man married with 3 children & 5 grandchildren. He is a Christian, enjoys sport, riding his motorbike, travelling and loves Marmite!
Soo Brizell Make Amends Service Manager Expand Soo has worked for Shekinah since 2007, initially establishing Shekinah as a local delivery partner for a national employability programme supporting people affected by homelessness into work. Following years of developing business partnerships, business-led leadership teams and a successful Social Enterprise, in December 2019, Soo is now leading Make Amends, a Restorative Justice Service (in partnership with Shekinah). This service commissioned by The Office for Police & Crime Commissioners delivers restorative justice across Devon and Cornwall. In her free time Soo enjoys travelling, growing veg, cycle Sportives and putting the world to rights (over a decent coffee) with some amazing friends.
Dr Davina Cull Criminal Justice Practitioner and Restorative Justice Manager Expand Dr Davina Cull is an experienced criminal justice practitioner and restorative justice manager. Davina started her criminal justice career in the Police Service. She left the Service to establish Make Amends, the Police and Crime Commissioner's restorative justice service for Devon and Cornwall. With a research background in victimology and offender management, Davina is also an associate lecturer at the University of Plymouth. Davina brings creativity, energy and enthusiasm for evidence based practice, continually striving for service improvements to benefit the people we work with. With an ambition to travel to 100 countries in her lifetime, Davina's current country count sits at 61.
John Hamblin Chief Executive Expand I have the privileged position of CEO which I have held since 2008. Prior to this I was Head of Training at Shekinah who I joined in 2002 following 12 years of working in the field of Learning Disabilities and Mental Health. Throughout my working life I have always held the belief that service delivery revolves around positive and meaningful relationships. Without this as a foundation, work becomes pretty meaningless. When not working, I spend my time outdoors as much as possible fishing, sailing or metal detecting.
Jo Bailey Project Coach Expand I'm Jo Bailey, I work at Shekinah Grow in Torbay, along with Terry, and Lily the dog. I thoroughly enjoy working with the land, and have a keen interest in conservation and land management. Having lived in many of the cities across the UK, I now love spending time on the beaches and moors of the South West, and beyond. In my spare time I volunteer for conservation projects from turtle conservation in Mexico to Greater Horseshoe Bat surveys closer to home.
Andy Kebby Community, Events and Enterprise Manager Expand I joined Shekinah in July 2019 after spending many years as an Employment Team Manager working in partnership with Shekinah helping people into employment. My current role is very diverse and varied and can be everything from organising events and fundraising to working with the community and businesses to raise awareness and the profile of Shekinah. I also manage two charity shops and a busy painting and maintenance team along with maintaining and updating the Shekinah website and social media content.
Tracey Ikerd Drop-in Centre Manager Expand I have been involved with Shekinah from the beginning and have worked in various roles over the years. I was away for six years working in the care sector (registered Manager for elderly residential and Service Manager for learning disabilities Dom Care) and then returning to University where I studied English Literature & Creative Writing and then completed a Masters in Creative Writing. I returned to Shekinah in 2018 to manage the Drop-in Centre. My heart is to see people follow their dreams. Outside of Shekinah I love walks with my dog and I write fantasy novels.
Nabeel Mirza Team Leader, Training Plymouth Expand Having a background in Mental Health and Addiction I was employed to work with people, helping them to move forward. Over the last few years my role has changed and developed and now I oversee a busy training hub that runs personal development courses as well as a construction course. We are part of the Complex Needs Alliance in Plymouth and work very closely to help people recover and rebuild their lives.
Dave Davies Team Leader, Housing First Torbay and Tenancy Sustainment services Expand My work background is varied having worked over the years with young people in care and care leavers. I have also worked with people who have challenging support needs, for example people experiencing substance misuse and mental health issues, people within the criminal justice system, refugees accessing their first permanent accommodation in the UK and people who are experiencing street homelessness. Both the Housing First and Tenancy Sustainment services help people with challenging support needs to access and maintain permanent accommodation and to build a positive, healthy and happy life for themselves.