Our Volunteers

See our “Volunteering page” if you would like to find out more about being a NEFA volunteer.
Shown below are our volunteers who have also volunteered to be on this page!.

Arthur McKean –

Social Care and Isolation Volunteer

I have worked in as a Health Care worker for over 30 years. I have my NVQ level 2 & 3 IN Health and Social Care.

My previous experience working in Nursing and Residential care homes, Working in agency work with support living and clients with various medical conditions. include challenging behaviour, mental health, Dementia. I am currently working part time in Home care in the community.

I volunteer with Healthwatch South Tyneside for 8years and with WEA as class room support worker for 4 years.

I have always worked with people all my working life and find it easy to engage with people.

Ellie Lowther –

Trans and Gender Variance Volunteer

I have achieved much in the way of furthering understanding of trans and gender variance in our communities. I deliver highly respected workshops and training around the UK via my social purpose company Essential Learning Curve Ltd.

I founded the first Trans specific Charity in the North of England, named ‘Trans Aware’, and created the first trans-specific safe house project in the UK. I was also a finalist in the 2019 National Diversity Awards in the Positive Role Model Category. I’m passionate about Healthcare issues for all though specifically in regards to those seeking help around issues of gender dysphoria and transitioning.

You can contact me at ellie@essentiallearningcurve.com

Alison Blackburn –

Travel Volunteer

Alison originally worked as a qualified nurse for the NHS as well as within the private sector for many years but was forced to retire because of failing sight disability. This led her to develop a keen interest in Disabled Rights and Equality and she has been closely involved with such organisations as Diabetes UK, an esteemed Disabled Riding Project, and the Newcastle Disability Forum – thus ensuring that work around policies for the elderly and disabled are both positive and lawful and the voices of minority groups are heard and acted upon. She is a keen campaigner for justice and has been successful in advocating for individuals in their respective equality cases.

Alison has also been instrumental in working with LNER (GNER), LINX and NEXUS in order to improve transport accommodating needs and helping to provide solutions in the North East Area for the elderly and disabled – resulting in them receiving a National Disability Award;

Get on board with Metro’s ‘I need a seat’ initiative | nexus.org.uk

Answers demanded as bus campaigners hit out over plans to pedestrianise Blackett Street in Newcastle – Chronicle Live

Newcastle Disability Forum: Newcastle Disability Forum (ndf.org.uk)

Jamie Odgers –

IT Volunteer

My background is in I.T. I have been a volunteer for Healthwatch Darlington for three and a half years mostly around social media and website maintenance but I enjoy meeting with the public and gathering their views around health and wellbeing. I take part in various projects around local health services to gather the views of the public thus helping to form the basis for reports to send through to Commissioners of these vital services in an effort to affect positive change.

I have been involved with NEFA since January 2021 as Webmaster – updating the website, keeping abreast of news and offering suggestions for improvements in order to help them to continue to make a difference to the lives of the elderly within the whole of the North East region.

I can be contacted through NEFA on contact@nefa.org.uk