Who We Are
Audrey Tennet
Bernadette Askins
Bernadette Askins
Chair
Audrey has a background in education having held positions as primary school teacher and head teacher.
She did significant work with the local authority as an Early Years Manager and lead officer to the Early Years and Childcare Partnership which involved working with voluntary and private sector providers.
Audrey has experience in lea
Chair
Audrey has a background in education having held positions as primary school teacher and head teacher.
She did significant work with the local authority as an Early Years Manager and lead officer to the Early Years and Childcare Partnership which involved working with voluntary and private sector providers.
Audrey has experience in leadership, management, strategy and policy development, financial planning and management of budgets.
She has also held a position as a primary school governor.
She has over eleven years-experience as a charity trustee.
She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Development, a BA Hons. Degree, and a Post Grad Cert in Early Years.
Audrey is in church leadership being a trustee/deacon. She has been involved in various aspects of church ministry including leading church services and Bible study. She has worked with young people through the Girl Guides, parent and toddler groups and with older people such as the Sisterhood and
craft group for older women.
Bernadette Askins
Bernadette Askins
Bernadette Askins
Vice Chair
Bernadette has significant experience in education having taught in South Tyneside for thirty years and at Northumbria University.
Following early retirement, Bernadette was appointed as Ecumenical officer for Hexham and Newcastle Diocese working to increase understanding and cooperation between the regional churches. She was al
Vice Chair
Bernadette has significant experience in education having taught in South Tyneside for thirty years and at Northumbria University.
Following early retirement, Bernadette was appointed as Ecumenical officer for Hexham and Newcastle Diocese working to increase understanding and cooperation between the regional churches. She was also employed by Durham Diocese to set up Faith in Community, a new regional initiative, setting up twelve community projects in areas of high deprivation.
She has significant experience insetting up and chairing charities including KEY (for homeless young people) and Churches Together in South Tyneside, of which she is immediate past chair. She was also a trustee and deputy chair of Churches Together North East and the Churches Regional Commission.
Bernadette gained an Honours degree from Durham University and Post Grad Cert from London University.
She is involved with her local church ministry and is an active member.
Hilary Thompson
Bernadette Askins
Hilary Thompson
Secretary
Hilary has extensive experience in education and management having taught in Catholic Secondary state and private schools for 26 years, 18 yrs in Senior Management.
She was appointed Schools’ and College Network Coordinator for a religious congregation, promoting the distinctive nature and charism of Sacred Heart Education, workin
Secretary
Hilary has extensive experience in education and management having taught in Catholic Secondary state and private schools for 26 years, 18 yrs in Senior Management.
She was appointed Schools’ and College Network Coordinator for a religious congregation, promoting the distinctive nature and charism of Sacred Heart Education, working principally with colleagues and religious in England, but also further afield, for 13 years.
She served on the congregation’s International Education Commission. Hilary is also a Governor at Sacred Heart High School in Newcastle.
Hilary is an active member of her local church.
Ann Trollope
Ann Trollope
Ann Trollope
Trustee
Now retired, Ann has a background in education having worked as a Learning Support Teacher for many years.
She has a Diploma in Pastoral Theology and has worked on producing various guidelines for the Hexham and Newcastle RC Diocese in regard to lay liturgy.
As well as being a trustee with Churches Together in South Tyneside she is a
Trustee
Now retired, Ann has a background in education having worked as a Learning Support Teacher for many years.
She has a Diploma in Pastoral Theology and has worked on producing various guidelines for the Hexham and Newcastle RC Diocese in regard to lay liturgy.
As well as being a trustee with Churches Together in South Tyneside she is also a volunteer trustee with ACTS (Age Concern South Tyneside)
Bob Finch
Ann Trollope
Ann Trollope
Trustee
Bob, now ‘retired’, has a background in operational management and psychotherapy.
Having started in shipping Bob moved into social housing. Becoming professionally qualified he held various senior management roles within local authorities and the voluntary sector. He has experience of managing day to day operations and developing ne
Trustee
Bob, now ‘retired’, has a background in operational management and psychotherapy.
Having started in shipping Bob moved into social housing. Becoming professionally qualified he held various senior management roles within local authorities and the voluntary sector. He has experience of managing day to day operations and developing new and innovative projects.
After many years in housing management, Bob went into private practice as a psychotherapist.
Bob holds graduate and post-graduate degrees.
He was a Chartered Manager (Chartered Management Institute), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and an Accredited Psychotherapist (MBACP Accred)
Bob attends a local church where he is involved in various aspects of ministry.
In 1987 Bob was commissioned as a Fully Accredited Methodist Local Preacher. He still preaches and leads worship on a regular basis.
Jane Arthurs
Ann Trollope
Jane Arthurs
Trustee
Jane has a background in education having held posts as a head teacher and a Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader at Sunderland University.
She also has experience in staff management and organisational development.
Jane has served as a school governor, secretary and vice chair of Churches Together South Tyneside of which she curr
Trustee
Jane has a background in education having held posts as a head teacher and a Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader at Sunderland University.
She also has experience in staff management and organisational development.
Jane has served as a school governor, secretary and vice chair of Churches Together South Tyneside of which she currently serves
on the policy sub-group. She is also the Designated Trustee for Safeguarding.
Jane holds a degree in Geography.
She is involved in her local church having served on the Social Care Committee and taken communion to the sick and housebound. She has been involved as previous chair and secretary of Boldon Churches Together. She also writes and circulates Bidding Prayers.
Stephen Slade
Trustee
Stephen was commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer on the 21st May 1976 and has held appointments in Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland.
He retired from South Shields Corps in August 2018. But is still active within the Corps local leadership and as Divisional Emergency Response coordinator for the Salvation Army North East D
Trustee
Stephen was commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer on the 21st May 1976 and has held appointments in Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland.
He retired from South Shields Corps in August 2018. But is still active within the Corps local leadership and as Divisional Emergency Response coordinator for the Salvation Army North East Division)
Stephen has always seen ministry from an ecumenical perspective having always been involved in Churches Together and Minister’s Fraternals from the outset (where they have been operating). Recognising that we are all part of the body of Christ and accountable to Him first and foremost.