Our team
Our Trustee Board
Linda Vance
Chair
Linda has over 40 years’ in the legal sector. She was the Divisional Crown Prosecutor for North Cumbria and the Violence against Women lead for Cumbria. She was the area lead on Child Abuse and the Internet, also training CPS lawyers in Cumbria and Lancashire on the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Linda is a past Public Governor for the Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust, working on child services groups and serious case reviews, and is now a Non-Executive Director of Cumbria Health on Call (CHOC), a social enterprise set up to provide out of hours primary care for the people of Cumbria.
Elaine McGregor
Trustee
Elaine has over 40 years’ experience working within social care and the voluntary, community and independent sectors in London, Lancaster, the North East and Cumbria. She has been a qualified social worker for 20 years with a postgraduate qualification in Practice Teaching. For the final 12 years of her career she was a Team Manager in Cumbria Children’s Services in the Carlisle, Penrith and Eden areas, with a particular interest in joint working with other agencies. Elaine co-leads on Safeguarding on the Board of Trustees.
Ade Kevern
Trustee
Ade is based in West Cumbria and has worked for the fire service for over 26 years. He has lived experience of sexual abuse and has volunteered with Safety Net for over 4 years, he joined the board in 2020. As a volunteer he has helped facilitate Safety Net’s men’s peers support group, he is also training to become an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser. He enjoys playing the guitar and walking.
Vanessa Corbishley
Trustee
Vanessa has over 30 years experience working
in the finance industry with her most recent position being as a Senior Bank Manager in
retail banking. She has extensive experience in business operations and specifically people management, leading professionals to
deliver specified services.
She previously supported our management team through a partnership formed between
her former employer and Safety Net and is looking to develop this further in her position
as a Trustee.
Kate Dixon
Trustee
Kate has 17 years’ experience in the in the University sector and is currently Head of Recruitment and Portfolio Development at the University of Cumbria.
Kate leads on the development of relationship and academic programmes with a range of employers within Cumbria, the wider region and nationally. Prior
to her academic roles Kate held a number of positions within the University relating to finance, data and student systems management. Prior to joining the University Kate worked within the water industry within asset and risk management.
Mark Hattrick
Trustee
Mark has spent most of his career in the health and social care sector, apart from being a Royal Marines Commando as a younger adult. He has worked with people of all ages, experiencing wellbeing vulnerabilities and challenges, including abuse and trauma. Mark is a qualified teacher as well as a registered mental health nurse, and has worked in both the third sector and NHS. Mark is currently a practicing mental health clinician in primary care where he undertakes a dual role, with additional focus on organisational health and wellbeing. Mark also keeps his teaching skills up to date by being an active university associate lecturer within the nursing programmes.
Melissa Aurelia
Trustee
Bio to follow
Our Management Team
Jo Birch
Head of Operations
Jo Birch is Head of Operations for Safety Net. Jo has worked in many areas across different countries in the training, education, recruitment and support work fields. Jo has brought this broad knowledge into Safety Net and completed her Safe Lives service management for domestic abuse services course. Jo oversees the operational activities, ensuring best practice and implementing technological solutions. As part of the senior leadership team, she provides analytical, strategic and supportive direction for the staff, clients and service.
Julia Carver
Head of Strategy and Development
Julia Carver is the Head of Strategy and Development for Safety Net. Julia has worked in the domestic and sexual abuse sector for over 20 years working across both the statutory and voluntary sector. She is an experienced strategic planner, commissioner, business and service manager and has extensive experience leading and managing both organisations and strategic partnerships.
Fionuala Boyle
Head of Clinical Practice
Fionuala Wareing is the Head of Clinical Practice for Safety Net. Fionuala gained an MA in Social Work before becoming a practicing Children and Families social worker, she remains a registered social worker and Practice Educator. Fionuala works with children and young people in Safety Net as well as providing support, development, and leadership to the team. She has worked overseas in the voluntary sector and has been a manager in several corporate organisations prior to starting her social work career.