Meet the Team | Walthew House

The Hearts Behind Our Work

Our charity’s work would not be possible without the support of a team of dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to support us. Thank you to you all.

Nik Noone - CEO

Nik has worked in the voluntary sector for almost 20 years' the majority of this time has been focused on tackling disadvantage,

discrimination, violence and abuse, in roles including: Director of Off Centre

(Young Persons charity); CEO of Galop (The UKs’ LGBT+ specialist Domestic

Abuse, Sexual Violence and Hate Crime charity); and Head / National Lead

of Respects Young Peoples Service (a leading National Domestic Abuse

charity).

Woman with blonde hair sitting at a desk wearing rings and a watch.

Rachel Cassells - Business Manager

Rachel has Business Manager since 2007. She is part of the team who look after the day to day running of the office, ativities and room hire. She also deals with the finances, accounts and payroll. Rachel is a qualified Independent

Advocate (C&G Level 2) supporting people with sight loss and has BSL level 1 signing.

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Sandra Knott -

Sandra joined in 2021 working in the office as Admin Support & ActivitiesCo-ordinator.

She supports the daily running of the office, dealing with room

hire, banking and general enquiries. She also leads the planning of activities and events for service users and organises community fundraising events. Sandra is a qualified Independent Advocate (C&G Level 2) supporting people with sight loss and has BSL level 1 signing.

Woman with short gray hair and tortoiseshell glasses looks at camera.

June Battye – Deaf Services Lead & Youth Club Coordinator

June has worked at Walthew House since 2010 as our Youth Club Coordinator running our weekly Youth Club for children with a sensory loss aged 5 – 14.

She is a qualified Independent Advocate (Level 2 ARC award in Independent Advocacy) supporting people with hearing loss. June also delivers training for our Deaf First Responder Service and for Deaf Awareness/Hearing Loss. She has BSL Level 6 signing and is our BSL tutor teaching Signature accredited Level 1 & 2 BSL courses and introduction to BSL courses.

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Teresa Wild - Information Officer

Teresa originally started working at Walthew House in 2008, helping with the day to day running of the office. And being our BSL interpreter. She retired in 2022 but has now returned working as part of our team. Teresa also supports our Deaf Advocacy team and coordinates the Deaf First Responder Service and is one of our new Deaf First Responders.

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Lynda O’Brien -Independent Advocate for the Deaf

Lynda joined the team at Walthew House in 2024 and is now a fully qualified Independent Advocate (C&G Level 2) supporting people with hearing loss. Lynda first came to Walthew House around 15 years ago when she joined Stockport Deaf Sports Social Club whilst starting her BSL learning journey and undertaking Deaf Awareness courses. She continues to attend weekly and supports the club when she can.

Smiling middle-aged man with short grey hair and an earring, wearing a black jacket.

Vinny O’Brien

Vinny is a familiar face with the services users at Walthew House. He has supported us through volunteering and has been involved in many other things over the years. Since 2022 Vinny has been our Youth Development Worker in our Youth Club. Vinny is responsible for mentoring, coaching and supporting individuals, encouraging young people to develop their self-awareness, independence and individuality. He comes with a wealth of skills and experience including training in Climbing, Caving, Orienteering, Canoeing and Kayaking Coaching, Archery and Summer Mountaineering.

Nina Chesworth

Coming soon.

Shannon Gorman

Coming soon.