Places available for 2008 training workshops

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CBIT has offices in Oxfordshire (Head Office), Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North East of England.

Oxfordshire

Lisa Turan, Chief Executive
lisaturan@cbituk.org

Lisa came to CBIT from The Princes Trust where she developed a national mentoring programme and a Women's Business Support programme encouraging disadvantaged women to start their own businesses. She also developed partnerships throughout Europe improving the provision of business support services to disadvantaged people. Lisa has made an enormous contribuiton to CBIT since she joined us in 2003, ensuring that CBIT's strategic direction is transparent, effective and achievable. Lisa is proud to lead a very strong team across the UK who all share a strong commitment to supporting children and families across the UK.

Stephanie Flower, Head of Support, Information and Training
stephanie@cbituk.org

Steph graduated from the University of Hobart in the early ’90s but has been living in the UK since 1996. Prior to joining CBIT in 2004 she worked for the NHS in learning disabilities before being seconded to a charity specialising in supported employment. It was during this time that she qualified as a trainer. Since joining CBIT, Steph has written a guide for families living in Wales, developed a set of 26 factsheets on acquired brain injury and developed CBIT’s training on childhood acquired brain injury which she has, for the past 2 years, been delivering across the UK. Steph also takes the lead on Child and Family Support across the UK and the development of CBIT’s information.

Sharon Imondi, Finance and Administration Officer
sharon@cbituk.org
Sharon came to the UK on a working holiday from Perth Australia for 2 years and 20 years later she is still here! She joined CBIT in August 2003 and before this, worked for a large cinema chain in the UK as a Senior Assistant Manager for 19 years. She has spent 16 years on toddler, nursery and school committees fundraising for the benefit of children. Sharon is married with 3 children.

Rachel Ritter
Fundraising Officer
rachelritter@cbituk.org

Rachel joined CBIT in 2006 and is our resident Welsh person. Having spent 8 years working in commercial radio, Rachel felt it was time for a move to the voluntary sector where the funding she generated would make a real difference. Rachel has previously worked on events such as ‘Party in the Park’ and alongside charities including Macmillan Cancer Support in South Wales for their ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ event.
Rachel has developed an exciting range of fundraising activities and there really is something for everyone! From Fundraising Balls to trekking across Peru, CBIT has an extensive calendar of events planned for 200 that you can get involved with.

Caroline Molloy
Training & Helpline Co-Ordinator
carolinemolloy@cbituk.org

Caroline joined CBIT in March 2007 and is CBIT’s Training and Helpline Co-ordinator. She feels privileged to be ‘the voice’ at the end of the helpline and says “I really enjoy working first hand with young people and their families and being able to give information and emotional support when families need it”.
Caroline is responsible for ‘CBIT Associates’ and ensures the smooth running of CBIT’s training across the UK. She is looking forward to becoming more involved with the increasing demand for training and subsequent portfolio of one-day workshops during 2008.

Newcastle

Julie Young, Project Manager
julie.young@cbituk.org

Julie hails from Ashington and has a good knowledge of North East. Living in rural Northumberland with her husband, teenage son and her wire-haired fox terrier, her degree is in history (University of Hull). Julie's other passions are music, theatre, travel and food (though not necessarily in that order!)

Julie's background is in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. She has previously worked for Social Services in Mental Health, Fostering & Adoption and the Youth Offending Service, where she was Victim Liaison Officer for Northumberland.

Scotland

Jenny Hill, Project Manager (Scotland)
jennyhill@cbituk.org

Jenny has been working with CBIT since April 2003. She was responsible for setting up the CBIT office in Scotland, which now includes a network of support groups, families’ days, parents training days, a young people’s social network (for ages 18-25) and a young people’s group in Glasgow. Jenny is the author of CBIT’s telling research into the long-term effects of ABI on families, Scotland’s Invisible Children – acquired brain injury revealed. Jenny is a double bassist and plays and teaches brasilian percussion (samba) in her spare time. In the long term she wants to bring music into her work with children who have had acquired brain injuries and hopes to undertake a masters in Music Therapy.

Mary Dryburgh, Child and Family Support Officer
marydryburgh@cbituk.org

Mary joined CBIT in April 2005 and divides her time between our Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. Previously Mary worked with Carr-Gomm, a person centred charity, supporting adults and teenagers in their own homes and empowering them to live as full a life as possible. She also volunteers for Homestart who support families with children under 5. In her spare time Mary enjoys running and swimming and walking in the local Pentland Hills.

Beth Wales
Child and Family Support Officer
bethwales@cbituk.org
Hello! My name is Beth and I started working for CBIT in Scotland in February 2008. Working as a Child & Family Support Officer means that I am able to support families in the East of Scotland. This may involve accompanying families to meetings and advocating for services as well as running groups for children and young people. I also support Teachers, Social Workers and Health Staff, helping them to gain a better understanding of brain injury through training, awareness raising sessions and written information.

My background is in Psychology and before joining CBIT I worked with families who were affected by Domestic Abuse and I also spent a year working as a nurse with adults with an acquired brain injury.  I live in Edinburgh with my dog and when I’m not working I can usually be found walking in the hills. I also enjoy Egyptian dancing and am passionate about cooking and baking.

Northern Ireland

Catherine Murnin, Project Manager
catherinemurnin@cbituk.org

Catherine lives in rural County Down with her husband and 3 children. She has worked with CBIT since 2005 and loves her job, feeling that she can make a difference to families’ lives. There is still a long way to go to make sure that childhood acquired brain injury services in Northern Ireland meet the needs of families and CBIT is working hard to make that happen.

Karen McCague, Child and Family Support Officer
karenmccague@cbituk.org

I’m Karen, and I’m the Child and Family Support Officer in Northern Ireland.
I have been with CBIT since January 2006 supporting families who are living with an acquired brain injury, whether this is through regular home and hospital visits or working closely with schools, providing training and awareness about ABI and individual children’s needs.
I also organise many fun days out for the whole family, a great chance for mum and dad to relax and meet new people!

I have recently moved house so my spare time is usually spent deciphering flat pack furniture instructions or attempting to paint!
Although when I’m really relaxing I’m with my fiancé and friends, usually eating out or going to concerts, I adore music and just recently saw the lovely Roisin Murphy.
My other favourite things are writing and travelling and the place I really would love to visit one day is Tibet.

Gillian Allen, Child and Family Support Officer
gillianallen@cbituk.org

Gillian joined the CBIT team in October 2007 and is one of two Child and Family Support officers working in Northern Ireland. Prior to joining CBIT Gillian spent over 6 years working with children and young adults with learning disabilities and she continues to work with young children with Autism. Gillian currently lives in Belfast but she enjoys travelling to different countries in her spare time.