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Say Hello To Our Staff & Trustees

This incredible organisation that is committed to fundraising for disabled people would not exist if it were not for the skilled and trusted individuals who have made it possible. We recruit only the most caring and committed people who fight for the same values we treasure, and this makes all the difference. They are prepared to take the necessary action to fully support disabled individuals and we are so grateful to have them as part of our community.
OUR TRUSTEES
Graham Day
Graham DayChair of the Board of Trustees

At the beginning of 2020, Graham and a Working Group of disabled people and council officers joined forces to create a new D/deaf and Disabled People's Organisation in Haringey. Graham was not only one of the first Trustees, but is also currently Chair, a job which includes many daily challenges.

Graham’s passion is championing the voices of disabled people in Haringey, and he is eager to get Disability Action Haringey off the ground. During his personal time, Graham enjoys participating in wheelchair tennis at the local sports centre.

Andrew Carpenter
Andrew CarpenterTrustee

Andrew is autistic and was diagnosed as an adult. He is the Autism Lead for NHS England (NHSE), London Region. In his previous role, he was the Dementia Programme Lead and statutory Autism Lead for the Bi-borough councils in London (Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea), as well as co-Chairing the disability staff network.

As an Expert by Experience and outside of his paid role, Andrew is also an NHSE Peer Leader and Public Champion for Personalised Care and Social Prescribing in London. He has a background in delivering training and consultancy on Personalisation in Health and Social Care.

He trains on autism, with a particular interest in autism without a co-occurring learning disability and adapting therapeutic practice in mental health settings.

Isha Turay
Isha TurayTrustee

Isha has been a carer to her disabled husband for over 25 years, which has contributed towards her good and clear understanding of the overall caring needs but also the discriminatory practices in society at large, for people with disabilities and others experience.

Isha was one of the Working Group members during the formation of DAH and proceeded to become a Trustee, continuing to support DAH through their journey to creating a more inclusive and accessible Haringey. Isha is also the Chairwoman of the Carer’s Reference Group and a member of Haringey's Joint Partnership Board.

Having worked and lived in Haringey for over 35 years, Isha is well averse with the diverse cultures of the community which Haringey represents, and is able to connect with many members of the community and the issues that they experience.

Nnenna Agbasonu
Nnenna AgbasonuTrustee

With a passion for numbers and an unyielding commitment to continuous learning, Nnenna has navigated a dynamic career in finance and accounting that spans five years. It's the remarkable journey that's been powered by determination and the courage to embrace challenges, including learning later as an adult that she is Dyslexic.

Dyslexia may present challenges, but Nnenna has turned it into an advantage, the journey hasn't been without hurdles but Nnenna is a testament to the power of residence and determination in the face of adversity. She is a lifelong learner, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

In the realm of volunteering, Nnenna has taken on roles such as a School Governor, monitoring academic performance and ensuring a positive learning environment is created for all students. As a Trustee Treasurer of DAH, overseeing financial management and ensuring transparency and effective use of funds.

Patricia Charlesworth
Patricia CharlesworthTrustee

Patricia is a dedicated founding member of Disability Action Haringey and has played an integral role in championing the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. Her commitment and her participation in the Working Group further demonstrated her passion for creating positive change.

Patricia identifies herself as a person with a Learning Disability, and her journey has led her to become an active participant in various organisations that share a common mission: empowering D/deaf and disabled individuals, to find their voice and advocate for their rights.

Yvonne Denny
Yvonne DennyTrustee

Yvonne has great experience serving on many panels and groups. Yvonne has a long history in raising awareness of the rights of D/deaf and disabled people and has long been working towards creating a more inclusive and accepting Haringey.

Yvonne's remarkable efforts were recognised when she received the "Inspirational Tenant or Resident of the Year" award, acknowledging her substantial impact on the improvement of the Edgecot Grove estate in Tottenham.

Yvonne has consistently demonstrated her active participation within the community, establishing a youth club, and successfully securing funding for a games area. Additionally, she played a significant role in Homes for Haringey's asset management and scrutiny panels, all while serving as the Chair of the Residents' Association.

DAH TEAM
Phil Stevens
Phil StevensChief Executive Officer

Phil Stevens – Chief Executive Officer As the CEO of Disability Action Haringey, Phil Stevens is responsible for the daily management of the organisation and reports directly to DAH’s Board of Trustees. Phil ensures the smooth running of DAH’s services, which include Benefits Advice, the Direct Payment Peer-To-Peer Support and Training Programme, and the Personal Care Assistant Marketing Service.

Phil Stevens has campaigned both locally in Islington and nationally for disability rights since he developed a disability in 2003. He was previously a Trustee for Circle Support, an organisation that promotes and supports disabled people to live both independently and in supported housing. In 2018 Phil gained his law degree at the University of London Birkbeck.

Phil is currently the Chair of the Metropolitan Police Independent Disability Advisory Panel. He was raised in Kent and moved to London in 1995. He is married, with seven children and four grandchildren. His passion is everything equestrian and canine.

Abdul Isah
Abdul IsahStudent Intern

Abdul is a dedicated and compassionate individual currently pursuing a BA in Social Work. With a passion for helping others and a commitment to social justice, he brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the field.

Abdul has hands-on experience supporting service users with complex behaviours, including disabilities, providing valuable insights into their diverse needs and the importance of personalized support. He adopts a client-centred approach, prioritising individual needs and fostering collaborative, empowering relationships with service users to involve them in decisions about their care and support.

Abdul continues to pursue his education and career in social work and remains dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities.

Abi
AbiDirect Payment & Independent Living Advisor

Abi brings a wealth of experience in supporting young adults, having worked extensively in support and mentoring roles aimed at facilitating their transition into education, employment, and enhanced life skills.

At DAH, Abi serves as the Direct Payments and Independent Living Advisor, where he works diligently to ensure that both new and existing direct payment holders receive the support they need. With a compassionate approach, Abi goes the extra mile to advocate for the best care provisions available, tailored to each individual's specific requirements.

Abi's dedication to promoting independence and improving the lives of those he assists shines through in his work. His commitment to providing personalised care underscores his belief in the inherent value of each individual, driving his efforts to make a positive difference in their lives.

Caroline O'Sullivan
Caroline O'SullivanCommunity Engagement & Project Officer

Caroline's extensive career spans more than three decades within the health and social care sector, encompassing vital areas such as mental health, homelessness, substance misuse, and support for individuals with learning disabilities. Her professional journey includes prominent roles as a senior manager within both the NHS and the voluntary sector, coupled with invaluable experiences serving as a Trustee for various voluntary organisations.

Driven by her unwavering dedication to social justice, Caroline's passion for inclusive practices resonates throughout her work. Drawing from her personal connections with disability within her social circles, she brings a deeply empathetic perspective to her role.

Currently serving as the Community Engagement and Project Officer for DAH, Caroline spearheads initiatives aimed at fostering engagement and collaboration within the community, to cultivate an inclusive borough.

Darren Willbourne
Darren WillbourneProject Lead

Darren has worked in numerous voluntary and community sector roles over the past 25+ years across both the North and South UK. His experience includes bid writing, community development, staff and organisational management and a broad range of communication and IT skills.

Darren was drawn to the role having lived in the local area and having an affinity with carers and health & wellbeing services.

Fatos Ozhot
Fatos OzhotStudent Intern

Fatos is a volunteer at our organisation and is currently studying at University towards getting her BA(Hons) Social Work degree. She is currently in her second year of her course, and has joined us for her placement, which is a part of her degree program. She has aspirations to help and support disabled individuals around her.

Fatos has Cerebral Palsy from birth, and was diagnosed with it at the age of two. Fatos aims to continue her studies and become a successful social worker and help adults with special needs to access services they are entitled to, and to support them to enhance their health and wellbeing. She has been a great addition to our team and helps to support individuals with applying for different benefits and accessing different services which they are entitled to.

Fatos is a very determined individual who aims to enhance people’s rights and health and wellbeing to ensure they receive the help and support they need and are entitled to.

Rachel Cloney
Rachel CloneySupport Worker & PA to CEO

Rachel is a seasoned Executive Assistant known for her exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail. With her extensive experience in administrative support roles, she ensures the smooth operation of executive offices. Rachel brings with her over 30 years of expertise in managing complex calendars, coordinating meetings, and handling correspondence. She has a proven track record of supporting high-level executives and seamlessly managing day-to-day administrative tasks with efficiency and professionalism. She approaches a proactive mindset and understands the importance of confidentiality.

Rachel continues to excel in her role as an Executive Assistant and is committed to further enhancing her skills and contributing to the success of the executive team.

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Disability Action Haringey,
Winkfield Resource Centre,
33 Winkfield Road,
Wood Green Haringey, N22 5RP
Charity Registration Number 1191762