MEET THE STAFF:

Beth Seymour - Trans Peer Mentor & Trans Community Development Officer

Hi, my name is Beth and I am Trans Peer Mentor and Trans Community Development Officer at Derbyshire Friend. I am a Male to Female Trans woman and transitioned in 2007. I have a deep understanding of the process and pitfalls that Trans people face in our society and the discrimination we sometimes face. I am also interested in improving mental health services and post-op aftercare services for Trans people, which are badly needed.

Bex Morris – Community Support & Development Officer

Hi, I’m Bex and I am one of the Community Support and Development Officers at Derbyshire Friend. In this role, I support our youth group called Love Knows No Gender on Saturdays for 13 – 25 years olds, I support the women’s group called Women’s Zone for women over 18 years and I also support DF’s Outreach programme on the local LGB&T scene. I have had a unique journey during my time at Derbyshire Friend as I was one of the original founding members of the youth group back in October 2005, and I was the youth chairperson of the group. I then progressed on to become a volunteer at the youth group before becoming a youth worker for Derbyshire Friend. During my time here, I have been able to experience many new challenges and experiences through the different groups and work I have done. I am not a Derby lass but come from a small little town bout 10 miles out of derby and now live in a small village where I can relax and enjoy the country way of life taking long walks with my dog.

Julie Mehigan – Senior Project Officer – Rainbow Vision

Hi, I’m Julie Mehigan and I am the Senior Project Officer for the Rainbow Vision project. Whilst I am new to Derbyshire Friend, I have volunteered within the LGBT community in Nottingham since 2003 and have played an active role in delivering training to other volunteers. My varied working background includes Health, Learning and Development, Higher Education and the Criminal Justice System. I have gained experience and understanding in supporting people who have suffered Hate Crime and Domestic Violence and hope to use those skills in raising awareness through the Rainbow Vision project. I am passionate about working to reduce inequalities and increasing well being for all groups through education and awareness. On a personal level, I enjoy spending time with my family and dog and I am a keen concert and theatre goer.

Melvyn Fearn – Administrator

Hi I’m Melvyn Fearn.  My association with Derbyshire Friend started back in 1992 when I joined the organisation as a Switchboard and centre support volunteer. I still do these jobs in addition to my role as Administrator.  When  I joined Derbyshire Friend the organisation was just  starting their HIV prevention work and in 1995 I joined their Sexual Health Project.  I became Derbyshire Friend’s administrator in April of 1998.  There have been many changes at DF over the years, but it’s main remit has remained the same – to help and support the health and well being of the LGB&T Communities in Derbyshire.

Tina Ellis – Community Support & Development Officer – Youth Lead, Women’s Lead & Volunteer Lead

Hi. I’m Tina and I am a Community Support and Development Officer at df.  I co-ordinate and facilitate Women’s Zone which is a social/ support group for Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans women and Love Knows No Gender LGB&T Youth group. I am also responsible for co-ordinating our volunteers (along with Travis Peters).

I’ve lived in Derby for nearly 20 years and my background is as a youth worker supporting vulnerable young people and doing other types of support work. I have also been into schools to deliver PSHE sessions around the issues of sexuality and homophobic bullying and make people aware of the projects so they can signpost young people for support.  During my time working at df I have been involved in Sexual health outreach, youth work, women’s work and taking calls on the switchboard.

In my spare time (when I have some!) I like playing guitar, mandolin, ukulele and samba drumming, cycling, watching movies, getting tattooed and sleeping (when my cats allow it…)

Travis Peters – ‘Senior Project Officer – Media, Marketing & Communications’ and ‘Community Support & Development Officer – Men’s Lead & Volunteer Lead’

Hello! My name is Travis and I am Senior Project Officer – Media, Marketing & Communications and I am also a Community Support & Development Officer. Over the years, I have worked across a variety of different project areas at DF including Rainbow Vision, Sexual Health, Training and Development, Youth Inclusion and Community Development (particularly within Amber Valley). In my role as Senior Project Officer, I oversee the development of media and marketing resources within the organisation and I take care of our website. In my role as Community Support & Development Officer, I take the lead on developing Reach Out and Reach Out Plus – our in house social support group for gay and bisexual men. I’m also responsible for co-ordinating and managing our growing volunteer base (along with Tina Ellis). Prior to taking on these roles, I worked within Lancashire Constabulary as a Police Radio Operator. In my time there, I gained valuable experience in dealing with a range of different people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures and I have relished bringing this experience to Derbyshire Friend and the LGB&T communities associated with it. In my spare time, I am a keen musician and have been involved in live music and performing with bands for as long as I can remember. I am also a freelance voiceover artist so if you ever need my dulcet tones, you know where I am!

MEET THE TRUSTEES:

Becci Moore – Co-Chair

I am Becci Moore and I have been involved with Derbyshire for about 9 years in various capacities. I am currently the female co-chair which means that I sit on the board of trustees and help the charity make decisions about how it runs, what they can and can’t do and future plans. We also make sure that Derbyshire Friend remains committed to its aims of working to improve the lives of LGB&T persons living in Derby and Derbyshire.

It’s a friendly and exciting charity which reaches out to individuals as well as striving to improve the experiences of LGBT persons in their dealing with larger organisations as a service user, employee or member of the public.

Richard Jones – Co-Chair

Hi! My name is Richard Jones and I am one of the co-chairs of the trustee board – a position I have held since 2005. However, I have been a part of the trustee board since 2003 and a volunteer since 1999, initially starting out as a switchboard volunteer. I have previously worked in the public and third sector, mainly in lower to middle management roles in areas as diverse as sales, customer service, banking, human resources and training. I am currently enrolled to start my MSc in Environmental Management at the University of Derby. I was also born, raised and educated in Derby. My other interests are reading, the great outdoors, art, literature and music.

Clem Nicholls – Trustee

I would like to stand for the position of treasurer. I have been a part of the organisation for almost a year and I do believe I have more to contribute to financial governance, the growth of the organisation, future development and service delivery. I am committed to the values of the organisation. Diversity and equality had influenced the planning and delivery of services and hopefully will remain a key policy. I would welcome the opportunity to be a trustee. My skills, life long learning and experiences can give the organisation added value. I remain committed in assisting the organisation to achieve its goals.

Julie Goodall – Trustee

Hi! My name is Julie Goodall. My roles within Derbyshire Friend are Trustee and a volunteer for ICT desktop support and Trans Peer Mentor with Rainbow Vision. In my spare time, my hobbies are PC gaming, watching films and listening to various types of music.

Adrian Piggott – Trustee

Hello! My name is Adrian and I am a new Trustee at Derbyshire Friend. I have been working for the NHS for the past 6 years and before that the voluntary sector. I also run a freelance business providing services in equality issues, training and engagement.  I have been a Trustee of both local and national charities over the years so I have some good experience that I hope to bring to the organisation. I am passionate about LGBT equality and look forward to supporting Derbyshire Friend’s great work.