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Our Staff

Dena

I’m Dena and my role in the team is Events and Outreach Manager. I came to the Foundation following fifteen very happy years working in education within a Special Needs environment. After volunteering for over two years I began working for the charity in October 2015.

My role is varied and no two days are the same (which I love). I deliver our Educational workshops in schools up and down the country and organise and run our ‘Train the Trainer’ days for teaching staff and youth leaders. 

I also manage our events programme and attend events – everything from Download and Bloodstock to freshers fairs and alternative markets. Developing and ordering merchandise is in my remit – so if there’s anything you’d like us to stock let me know!

Alison

Hi, I’m Alison and I am Chief Executive of the Foundation. My background is in the arts and education sectors and I am passionate about social justice. I first became aware of the Foundation after hearing Simon Armitage’s Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster, on the radio. The programme jammed the Radio 4 switchboards when it was first broadcast in 2010 and Sophie’s story has lived with me ever since.

My job is to drive the development of the Foundation and make sure we stay true to our mission. We want to go from strength to strength whilst achieving the core objectives which inspired Sylvia Lancaster to found the charity. It was a privilege working alongside Sylvia, as it is a privilege to meet people at events and festivals and hear their stories. Thank you for the trust you place in us. 

We want to continue doing everything we can to help people develop a greater understanding and acceptance of difference and build safer, more tolerant communities for us all.