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 manage South Tyneside Action for Youth Network (S.T.A.Y.).
• To provide strategic leadership to S.T.A.Y. and 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 428 3354
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 428 3354
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 428 3354

E-mail: kevinhall@keyproject.org.uk

Rachel Jamieson (Prevention of Homelessness Worker)

Rachel took on a new role within KEY when she joined in May 2008, as a Prevention of Homelessness Worker.

Rachel will be offering a mediation service to young people, when they are threatened with homelessness, with the aim of helping to prevent homelessness.  She will also be raising awareness about homelessness in South Tyneside, through a peer education project, involving young people that have been homeless and have been given support by KEY.   Rachel will be working with schools, colleges and youth organisations to highlight issues facing young people that are homeless or threatened with homeless. 

Prior to joining KEY, Rachel worked as a Housing Legal Advice Caseworker for DAWN Advice, a charitable organisation which is part of Community Legal Advice.  She has also worked as a Social Research Interviewer and as a Teacher of Sociology. 

Contact KEY on: 0191 428 3354

E-mail: racheljamieson@keyproject.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 428 3354
E-mail: erichardisty@keyproject.org.uk