Jean took up her post as Chief Officer in February 2006 having previously worked for St. Chad’s Community Project in Gateshead for six years as Project Director.  Prior to that she worked for Barnardo’s for 13 years and was involved in managing a community development project, setting up projects in different parts of the north east, in partnership with faith communities. Jean's main role is:

• To provide strategic leadership to South Tyneside Churches' KEY Project.
• To provide line management to KEY staff.
• To develop ways of raising awareness of homelessness in South Tyneside and enabling young people to speak out for themselves

Contact Jean on: 0191 496 9710
E-mail: jeanburnside@keyproject.org.uk

Carol took up her post as Tenant Support Officer in August 2006.

Prior to joining the organisation, Carol worked with people with mental health problems.  Previously she worked in local authority  housing as well as providing floating support to young people.

Carol is responsible for developing our Tenant Support Programme (contracted by South Tyneside Supporting People) which provides help and assistance to young people at risk. She helps them secure their own tenancy and assists them in accessing the benefits system to ensure they get the help they need. Carol also provides assistance with budgeting, personal development plans and achieving independent living.

Our programme is currently running at full capacity of ten clients. However, we can put people on a waiting list and we will signpost them to similar organisations who may be able to provide support.

Contact Carol on: 0191 496 9710
E-mail: carolmchale@keyproject.org.uk

Kevin took up his post as Tenant Support Officer in December 2007.  For the previous six years he has been fulfilling a similar role for the DePaul Trust in Newcastle, where he supported disadvantaged young people in a supported housing environment prepare for independent living.

Prior to that he worked for 2 years in the community with young people who suffer mental ill health access their local services.

Kevin has joined the team to help reduce the waiting list of young people wanting to access our Tenant Support Programme.  Like Carol, Kevin is funded by South Tyneside Supporting People team.  This additional worker means we can help twenty young people for a maximum of two years each.

We are currently working together with South Tyneside Homes with the view of having ‘taster’ flats for young people to see how they cope before they get their own tenancies.

Contact Kevin on: 0191 496 9710

E-mail: kevinhall@keyproject.org.uk

Laura Jenkin (Tenant Support Officer)

Laura Fleming (Prevention of Homelessness Worker)

Laura started working with the KEY Project in February 2010, as Prevention of Homelessness Worker. Laura will be offering a mediation service to young people and their parents/guardian, when they are threatened with homelessness, with the aim of prevention where appropriate.  She will also be raising awareness about homelessness in South Tyneside through a peer education project, involving young people who have experienced homelessness themselves. This will involve working with students from schools, colleges and youth organisations to highlight issues facing young people that are homeless or are at risk of becoming so. 

Prior to joining KEY, Laura worked as a Community and Intra-Family Mediator for UNITE Mediation and Training. She has also worked with young people in the area of Hospitality Training.

Contact Laura on: 0191 496 9710

E-mail: laurafleming@keyproject.org.uk

Alastair Freeburn (Prevention of Homelessness Worker)

Alastair became our second Prevention of Homelessness Worker when he joined the team in September 2008.

He offers a mediation service, where appropriate, to young people aged 16-25yrs who are in danger of becoming, or who are, homeless.  He also works with parents, carers, accommodation providers, the local council, other agencies, schools, colleges and youth groups to highlight and prevent the often hidden homelessness by young people without a safe and secure place to call home.

Prior to joining KEY Alastair was a Home School Liaison Officer in a Gateshead Comprehensive school and before that worked in various Public Service Departments dealing with community and race relation’s issues throughout the Tyne & Wear area.

Contact Al on: 0191 496 9710

E-mail: alastairfreeburn@keyproject.org.uk

Kate McGonnell (Tenant Support Officer in Laygate)

Kate took up her post in October 2009 as Tenant Support Officer for the Laygate area of South Shields. For the previous 2 ½ years she has been working as a Housing Support Worker for the City of Sunderland YMCA Foyer where she supported, encouraged and promoted independent living skills to enable the young people to move on to more independent and permanent accommodation.

Prior to that she has worked in the community with young people with learning disabilities in particular Autism and Aspergers’ Syndrome. Kate has also spent some time at university studying mental health illnesses.

Kate has joined the team to work with young people aged between 16 and 25 from the Laygate area of South Shields, providing help and assistance to young people at risk. She helps them secure their own tenancy and assists them in accessing the benefits system to ensure they get the help they need. Kate also provides assistance with budgeting, personal development plans and achieving independent living. Kate’s post is funded by South Tyneside Homes.

Contact Kate on: 0191 496 9710

E-mail: katemcgonnell@keyproject.org.uk

Ross Allen (Tenant Support Officer at Flavia House)

Ross took on his new role as Tenant Support Officer in November 2009.  For the previous seven years he had undertaken a variety of differing roles within Durham County Councils busy Revenues & Benefits section.

Ross’s main task will be to develop the ‘Flavia House’ project.  This is a training house for up to four homeless young people who learn new skills in how to run a tenancy.  The project will encourage them to undertake training or employment initiatives and to make a positive contribution to the local community.

Contact Ross on: (0191) 496 9710

E-mail: rossallen@keysproject.org.uk

Eric Hardisty (Administration & Finance Officer)

Eric took up his post as Administration & Finance Officer in December 2004. Prior to Joining KEY, Eric taught in Comprehensive schools in the Gateshead area for over 21 years.

Eric has responsibility for operating the 'buddy' system for the lone workers who are out in the community.  He also has responsibility for maintaining the filing system, providing administrative support to the rest of the staff, keeping the organisation's accounts up to date, assisting in developing funding proposals, producing financial reports and maintaining a database of contacts. He also attends KEY Management Committee meetings.

Contact Eric on: 0191 496 9710
E-mail: erichardisty@keyproject.org.uk

Louise Thorell (Administration Assistant)

Louise took up her post as Administration Assistant in January 2010.  Prior to joining KEY, Louise studied Business Administration and Business Studies at South Tyneside College for 4 years.

She was previously employed at a local business in South Shields.