Emma Shaw –Chair of SAGE
I am a Senior Practitioner currently employed by Staffordshire County Council working on the Stafford Foster Careers recruitment team. I have been a qualified, practicing social worker in Staffordshire for the past 24 years working primarily with Children in Care. For the last 10 years I have supported student social workers as a qualified practice educator and the last 6 years I have been an active member of Staffordshire’s foster panel.
I am also a mum of two children, we proudly identify as a rainbow family who are fortunate enough to have a very caring friends and family network. I understand how it feels to both access community support services and deliver services.
I have a depth of personal and professional experience that I look forward to bringing to the role.
Cheryl Sutherland Treasurer of SAGE
After studying psychology at University I went on to become a support worker based in a local NHS inpatient facility
My studies have given me an insight into diverse family dynamics and this, along with being a mother to bisexual children, benefits my role as a volunteer with SAGE.
I have now completed my 1st year of training to be a nursing associate.
Jason Jones – Secretary of SAGE
Hi, my name is Jason I was raised and spent most of my life in Staffordshire
I was asked to be a Trustee for SAGE after been told about their plans and I thought I would like to be part of this organization, at the grand age of 50 I wish there was the same support available to me when I was younger.
Kathy Coe MBE Patron of SAGE
My introduction into the voluntary sector was when I was offered a job as Co-Ordinator of the Burntwood Office of Lichfield and District CVS, a job I loved. At the same time, because of my lived experience of domestic abuse, I was setting up a charity to support victims. That was my passion and I worked hard with a committee of wonderful people to make it happen.
In 1991 we were successful in registering Pathway Project as a charity and a limited company,
I am very pleased to become a Patron of SAGE. I have always tried to support and speak out for those who are marginalized and living with inequality, and I know that the LGBT+ community are suffering from the loss of many services in the last 10 years. I believe that SAGE can make a difference and I am happy to promote their work in whatever way I can.
My name is James, and I am the Service Delivery Coordinator (part time 10 hours per week) for SAGE.
As Service Delivery Coordinator I help coordinate the group sessions, provide 1-1 support to individuals, sourcing and writing funding bids, provide training and support to various external agencies such as the local NHS trusts, Police and Fire Services, as well as business and other external agencies.
When you first contact SAGE, I will often be the first person you will be in touch with whether it be on the phone, text, or email.
My skills are confident in providing training, signposting, and supporting individuals, my background was primarily in health and social care which led to community development
I have been actively involved in LGBT+ communities for several years. During this time, I have been frequently approached by individuals and organizations all wanting to access a local LGBT+ support service or guidance about how to support family and friends. Subsequently I met with the people whom you’ve read about above and have been involved with SAGE since its inception.
My motivation to set up SAGE is that people who need support, in my younger days there was no support out there until I was in my early twenties. Now in my early 40s I realize people still need support.
I look forward to supporting people in anyway I can, if I can’t, I will try and find someone who can.
Michelle Croft Trustee Assistant Service Delivery Coordinator/ Volunteer Coordinator
My name is Michelle my day to day job is providing home care to members of the community. In September 2022 I will be starting my Mental Health Nursing Degree.
My role within SAGE is primarily James Service Delivery Coordinator right hand woman, this involves co-coordinating of some of our peer support groups, I also coordinate our volunteer program.
To Volunteer or to contact me with any other query’s email- michelle@sage.lgbt