Our People
We have a passionate, professional and award-winning team of Board of Management, staff and volunteers who ensure that our services are delivered and focused with our community at the centre of everything we do
Ant Hanlon
Chief Executive
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I have been with LIHH since its inception, starting as Project development Manager in 1996.
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It is an enormous privilege to be able to contribute something to a community I hold so dear.
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My heritage is Co. Wexford where both of my parents come from.
Karen Mallon
Director of Operations
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I have worked at LIHH since 1998, starting as a Housing Support Worker.
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I love working with our committed and passionate staff, volunteers and service users and hearing their inspiring stories.
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I am from Co. Down.
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Sarah McBride
Services Manager
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I have worked at LIHH since 2004 starting as a volunteer and moving through a variety of roles, spending many years developing our volunteer project. I love working within our own community.
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My heritage is Co Derry and Co. Mayo.
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Anne Pearce
Digital Inclusion Support Officer
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I started with LIHH in 2020.
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My role is to support clients in Digital use, develop skills and confidence. It is rewarding to help clients on their learning journey - and have some fun!
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My heritage is Co. Mayo and Co. Meath.
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Caroline Murphy
Older People's Worker and Activities Co-ordinator
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I started working at LIHH in 1999.
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My role involves providing one-to-one support and alongside team members organise and run events such as luncheon clubs and tea dances.
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I like to think that my role makes some difference to the life of the people we meet
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My heritage is Co. Mayo.
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Christine Hemmingway
Cook
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I have been providing nutritious meals at the luncheon clubs and events since I began working with LIHH in 2009.
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I love meeting the service users and hearing about the difference we make to their lives.
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Emma Forsyth
Tenancy Support Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2018.
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My role involves supporting people by linking them up with activities and services in their community and helping to resolve problems people have in their day to day life.
I enjoy listening to others and every day is different.
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My heritage is Co. Cork and Co. Mayo.
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Emma McVennon
Community Support Worker
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I first worked with LIHH in 2006, returning in 2015.
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I provide practical and emotional support for people whilst helping to reduce social isolation, promote health and well-being and maximise individual’s skills and creativity.
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My heritage is proudly Co. Limerick.
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Julie Chambers
Office Administrator
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I started working at LIHH in 2020.
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My role entails ensuring the office runs smoothly and is a safe environment for everyone, financial management and looking after our amazing volunteers.
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I am married to an Irish man and have many Irish relatives living both in England and Northern Ireland. I love going to visit our family and friends for the craic, warmth and humour - and not forgetting those rolling green hills.
Megan McClean
Arts and Well-Being Support Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2020
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My role involves working with service users to access mindfulness groups and activities to develop artistic skills by building a network of support through guided mindfulness and positive mental wellbeing.
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Focusing on the Celtic calendar, I lead art groups that incorporate a wide range of art activities and mindfulness techniques
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I am from Co. Derry.
Peter Rollings
Community Support Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2018.
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My role entails offering one-to-one support to people to help keep them as independent as possible.
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I also organise the Men's Group, and we regularly go canal-boating, go for walks in Leeds' beautiful parks and visit cafés for a cup of tea and a bite to eat.
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Philippa Dowson
Community Support Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2006
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I provide practical one-to-one support on a range of issues as well as running our South Leeds Social Group in Beeston. I also co-work our Friday Luncheon Club alongside Caroline.
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I love the variety and listening to people’s stories of home.
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My heritage is Co. Mayo, and I have made countless trips there over recent years.
Jamie Burke
Senior Support Worker
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I've volunteered within the Leeds Irish community for 20 years. Since I officially joined LIHH as a Health and Wellbeing Support Worker, I feel like I've really made a difference to people's lives.
I'm looking forward to doing even more in my new role as CARA Community Worker.
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Clare Mone
CARA Community Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2022.
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I started off by volunteering with LIHH after they'd supported members of my own family. I wanted to give something back to the community I'm so proud to belong to.
I love meeting people with great humour, creativity and intellect through my work.
Shaun Sweeney
Trainee Tenancy Support Worker
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I started volunteering at the LIHH Luncheon Clubs in 2016 and then as a befriender in 2017. In July 2022, I took up my post as a trainee tenancy support worker. I love the variety of the work and the fact that every day is different.
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I have family in Northern Ireland and suspect I have roots in Co Donegal.
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Leanne Dunbavin
Senior Support Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2022.
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I have a Master's in Psychology and a background in support work for learning disabilities and mental health.
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Our Enhance service tries to reduce hospital readmissions by pulling services together and getting longer-term care in place and I find it very rewarding.
Joe Spencer
Enhance Health and Wellbeing Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2023.
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Previously, I ran my own gardening business which involved some community group work.
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I've definitely picked up on the sense of community here at LIHH, and that everyone works together to achieve the best outcomes.
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My heritage is Co Kerry.
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Natalie Hughes-Crean
Specialist Case Worker for Fréa
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I started working at LIHH in 2023.
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In my role, I support survivors of Ireland's Mother and Baby and County Homes and family members to trace family, access the payment scheme, get counselling and more.
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My heritage is Co Wexford and Co Kerry.
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Sue Bowden
Irish Community Support Worker
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I started working at LIHH in 2024.
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Previously I’ve been based in the community as a Community Engagement Worker, Wellbeing Coordinator, Health Trainer, Teacher and Artist.
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I enjoy working 1 to 1 with people, running groups and Irish comedy.
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Éabha Gaughan Quinn
Trainee support worker
I started working with LIHH in 2024
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My role involves supporting members of the Leeds Irish community, along with assisting my colleagues across all areas of LIHH’s services and offerings.
I love the fact that my role allows me to make a positive impact in the lives of our clients.
I was born and raised in Tipperary and have connections to both Leeds and Mayo.
Our Board of Management
Rachael Loftus MBE (Chair); Brian Maguire (Vice-Chair); John Devine (Treasurer);​ Louisa Heraty; Ellie Fitzpatrick; Deirdre Quill; Glenda Capitano; Sean McGibney; Sinéad Sopala; Joan Vallely and Sheila Chapman