Five new trustees join TLA

TURNING Lives Around is delighted to announce five new additions to its Board of Trustees.

Formally elected to the Board at TLA’s recent AGM at HEART in Headingley are:

Director of Housing and Estates for St Anne’s Community Services Shaun Finegan who has worked in the housing sector for 30 years and has experience of helping organisations become registered providers of housing – something TLA is currently working towards.

“TLA is a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation that is wholly committed to supporting its clients to live their best lives. I am passionate about preventing and working to reduce homelessness. My involvement with TLA gives me an opportunity to develop my knowledge and experience around homelessness and associated challenges,” said Shaun.

Veteran, mum and neuro-different, Ria Jackson is the founder of Inclusive Minds UK, working to make neuro-inclusion the norm, who also has worked across education and housing.

“I want to be a trustee for TLA because the work they do actually matters. It’s real life. Real people. Real impact. I’ve spent years working around neuro-inclusion, trauma informed support and helping people who fall through the gaps. TLA gets it and I want to be part of something that genuinely changes lives,” she said.

Head of Marketing Ben Wadsworth has a wealth of experience leading marketing, digital communications and data-driven strategy as well as working on social campaigns and with vulnerable groups and charities.

He said: “Homelessness is one of the most urgent and overlooked issues in our society, and TLA’s practical, person-centred approach changes lives in ways that matter. I hope to bring a mix of strategic thinking, digital experience, and practical problem-solving to support TLA’s continued growth and impact.”

Kim Long who is looking forward to putting 30-years’ experience of working in social housing to good use.

“TLA appears to be forward-thinking, rooted in its community, and committed to supporting people who are often at highest risk of exclusion. Becoming a trustee at TLA offers the opportunity to use my knowledge, sector insight and commitment to social justice to support an organisation making a measurable difference to people who are often unseen or unheard,” she said.

NHS Manager Satti Saggu has a strong commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. He is keen to ensure TLA meets the needs of all the communities it seeks to serve.

“From first impressions, TLA is a very friendly, supportive and inclusive organisation. There is a clear direction for the organisation, guided by its overall vision.  I look forward to helping the charity achieve its ultimate goal to prevent homelessness and empower individuals to achieve stable, independent living,” Satti said.

TLA’s CEO Steve Hoey welcomed the new trustees to the Board, commenting: “TLA is at a pivotal point in its 53-year history as we work towards registered provider status and the opportunities that will open for us.

“Our new trustees bring a diverse set of skills, knowledge and experience which I’m sure will prove immensely valuable in helping to shape TLA as we enter this new chapter while still ensuring we remain true to supporting the most vulnerable in our community who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

Caption: Three new trustees and a new chair at TLA's recent AGM: from left - Shaun Finegan, Satti Saggu, TLA Chair Liz O'Connor and Kim Long. Ria Jackson and Ben Wadsworth were unable to attend.