Ian Bell, Chair Ian believes in the importance of being on the Care Network Board because the charity is supporting so many vulnerable people to feel safe and assured when resolving a problem that can help them maintain their independence. Expand Ian, who joined the Care Network board in 2006 and was appointed Chair in November 2017, was previously the Head of Twin Valley Homes (the largest social landlord in the Borough). They own and manage 8000 properties. He retired on 31st March 2017. His role on the Care Network Board is to provide support, guidance and constructive challenge to ensure the charity’s aims and objectives are met. Specifically Ian brings over 30 years’ experience of the social housing sector, many of those years in a senior management capacity. Since retirement Ian has joined the Board of Omega Research Foundation and is a member of a steering group developing a Heritage Lottery bid. Ian believes that it is important to be on the Care Network Board because the charity is supporting many vulnerable people to feel safe and assured when resolving a problem that can help them maintain their independence.
Vicky Shepherd, Trustee Vicky has been a director and trustee of Care Network since 2013. Both Age UK and Vicky have been involved with Care Network since its inception and have watched it grow into the quality organisation it is today. Expand Vicky's ‘day job’ is Chief Executive of Age UK Blackburn with Darwen, a local charity that works with local older people and provides a range of services to help maintain independence and improve health and wellbeing. It is important to Vicky to be a trustee of Care Network and support the organisation’s development, as Care Network plays a vital role in supporting many vulnerable older people and improve their quality of life. Vicky believes the role and need for Care Network will only grow in the future, and that it is exciting to be a part of the team.
Garth Hodgkinson, Trustee Passionate about local communities, grassroots community action and tackling inequalities, Garth has been former Chair and a Trustee of Care Network since it became an independent charity and Company Limited By Guarantee in April 2007. Expand Garth has worked in the public and voluntary sectors within Lancashire for over 20 years. He is Chief Executive of Community CVS, a role he has performed for over 10 years. Previously, he worked in local government and further education in various regeneration roles developing economic and community strategies, supporting community led regeneration programmes and bringing partners together to establish new charities, social enterprises and community groups to make a difference to their local communities. He is vice-chair of Blackburn College; vice-chair of One Lancashire and chair of the Lancashire Association of Councils for Voluntary Service. He represents the voluntary, community and faith sector on the Pennine Lancashire Accountable Health and Care Partnership Leader’s Forum. He is also involved at the grassroots level in a number of local charities and social enterprises such as two small Community Foundations, Neighbourhood Community Action and Jubilee Tower Credit Union.
Steve Tingle, Trustee Being a Trustee of Care Network allows Steve to make a continued contribution to what he views as a vibrant and essential local charity. Expand Steve was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, grew up in Blackburn and has remained in Lancashire ever since. He started out working life as a nursing auxiliary in one of the large learning disability hospitals and went on to become a qualified social worker, starting with Barnardo’s before moving in management roles with 4 separate Local Authorities, as well as a stint in the private sector. His current full time role is as Head of Operations for Children and Young People’s services with Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, with responsibility for a wide range of physical and mental health services across Lancashire. Prior to that he was the Director of Adult Social Services in Blackburn with Darwen Council, a Council in which he worked for 10 years. It was here that he came to work closely with Care Network, whose contribution to improving the lives of local people he came to appreciate and value. Steve is married with two children, runs regularly as a way of keeping healthy and managing a very busy job and to top it all off is a long suffering Newcastle United fan.
Graham Jones, Trustee Graham is by profession a Business Advisor, and in particular a passionate advocate for the role Social Enterprise and Charities can play in the economic development of local economies. Expand Graham has worked as part of the management team at Bootstrap Enterprises in Blackburn since Bootstrap began in Blackburn in 1987. As well as being a founding member of Care Network, Graham is currently Chair of Selnet, the Lancashire Social Enterprise Network and a trustee of several other local Third Sector organisations.
Erika Holmes, Trustee Erika joined Care Networks Board of Trustees in March 2019 and is delighted to be able to share her skills and passion with such a worthy cause. Expand Erika worked for over 29 years as a Pension Scheme Accounts Manager to the ITV Pension Scheme. She took early retirement in November 2016 and currently sits on a local Patient Participant Group. She wants the opportunity to share her skills and experience to make a difference to a service that is crucial to our community in assisting in the everyday lives in health, social care and being able to remain independent. “Care Network is like a community centre providing a wealth of information that is vital for the times we live in, so any assistance I can give to ensure that this service continues and grows is a worthy cause to be part of.”