Staff
Our staff team includes the Children and Families Team, the Community Projects Team and the Carnegie Building Team.
Ayshea Robson
Children and Families Manager
As Children and Families Manager my role is to ensure direction and commitment within my team at Riverside. Our team works as part of Children and Families Newcastle and our goal is to make support for children and families accessible in the city. The kinds of issues you might get in touch with me about are the children and family groups you can access or groups you would like to see happening at Riverside. You may want to discuss what children and families need in the local community.
Before becoming Children’s and Families Manager, I had different roles in Riverside, including running the crèche organising the toy library. I have worked with children and young people since the mid-1990s and have always enjoyed coming to work and supporting people to reach their goals. Seeing the difference support makes to peoples’ lives is just so amazing – every day brings something different. I was a young parent myself and I know of some of the struggles and worries people experience. That is why I have always been passionate about supporting children, young people and their families. The same support was a life line for me.
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I also work on the Community Action on Need (CAN) project, supporting community members to take collective action on the issues that matter most to them. This involves community engagement, facilitating conversations, and helping residents turn shared concerns into community-led action.
I joined Riverside as a volunteer in 2018 while studying at Northumbria University, where I completed a Joint Honours degree in Health in Contemporary Society and Guidance and Counselling, followed by a Master’s degree in Public Health.
What I enjoy most about working at Riverside is supporting people to realise their potential, seeing confidence grow over time, and working alongside communities to create meaningful, lasting change.
Christine Rogan
Finance and Governance Manager
As Finance and Operations Manager, I manage Riverside’s finances, including our annual accounts, budgets, payroll, and paying bills. I oversee day to day aspects of our work and manage several staff, including Carnegie Building staff. I work alongside our Chief Executive when applying for funding, monitoring our activities and developing policies. I also support Board of Trustees providing financial reports and other important information they need to make decisions. The kinds of issues you might get in touch with me about are likely to relate to finances, monitoring or the Carnegie Building.
I have had several different roles since I started working at Riverside in 2001. I worked in administration and the volunteer project before I developed my passion for finances. It was in these roles I learned many of the skills, knowledge and qualifications I have today. I have NVQ Level 5 qualifications in Management and Leadership, and Volunteering as well as City and Guilds Level 3 qualifications in Teaching Higher Education and Personal Development. I first came to Riverside to join a singing group and from there I joined lots of activities whilst my youngest daughter was in the crèche.
I love my job at Riverside because I get to meet so many lovely people and be part of a fantastic team that supports people living in the local community. I believe the work we do helps people to take steps forward and make a better life for themselves and their families.
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Darcey Conlin
Reception and Administration Officer
I am a Reception and Administration Officer at Riverside Community Health Project, creating a warm first impression for everyone who comes through our doors or contacts us. My role includes helping to connect people with the right services, activities and support, while keeping our Community Hub running smoothly. I enjoy meeting new people which allows me to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, while supporting the diverse needs of our local community .
Darren Perry
Caretaker
I have worked at Riverside as the caretaker since 2010. My job is to make sure the building maintained to a high standard and to make it a safe and welcoming place for the community.
Delia Ursica
Families and Communities Practitioner
As a Families and Communities Practitioner, I assist families with welfare, housing, employment, and general advice. I began working at Riverside in November 2024 and I am thrilled to be part of a team that is making a difference.
Much of my work is with migrant families, helping them navigate the challenges of living in the UK. Being Romanian myself, I understand the struggles people may face when adapting to a new country, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and figuring out how the system works. This first-hand knowledge enables me to relate to families and provide support that makes sense for their situation.
My education has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges families might face. I have a degree in Health and Social Care, and I’m now studying for a Master’s in Psychology. This learning has helped me understand the challenges that many people face, people living in poverty and people from Black, ethnically minoritised and migrant communities. It has also increased my commitment to help people address their concerns so they can have better lives.
The ability to advocate for families is my favourite aspect of my job. It’s vital to me that they feel heard and supported.
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I work mainly with Romanian families, helping them navigate the challenges of living in the UK. Being Romanian myself, I understand the struggles many people face when adapting to a new country, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and figuring out how the system works. This first-hand knowledge enables me to relate to families and provide support that makes sense for their situation.
In addition, my education has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges families might face. I have a degree in Health and Social Care, and I’m now studying for a Master’s in Psychology. This has helped me understand the challenges and vulnerabilities that ethnic minorities face, as well as the need to address these concerns to improve their lives.
The ability to advocate for Romanian families is my favourite aspect of my job. It’s vital to me that they feel heard and supported as they strive for a better life in the UK.”
I work mainly with Romanian families, helping them navigate the challenges of living in the UK. Being Romanian myself, I understand the struggles many people face when adapting to a new country, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and figuring out how the system works. This first-hand knowledge enables me to relate to families and provide support that makes sense for their situation.
In addition, my education has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges families might face. I have a degree in Health and Social Care, and I’m now studying for a Master’s in Psychology. This has helped me understand the challenges and vulnerabilities that ethnic minorities face, as well as the need to address these concerns to improve their lives.
The ability to advocate for Romanian families is my favourite aspect of my job. It’s vital to me that they feel heard and supported as they strive for a better life in the UK.”
Emma Spence
Community Projects Practitioner
As a Community Projects Practitioner at Riverside, I lead the Moving Forward project, which supports adults to build confidence, develop digital skills, and progress into training and employment. I work directly with participants to help them identify their goals, overcome barriers, and access opportunities that support positive change.
I also work on the Community Action on Need (CAN) project, supporting community members to take collective action on the issues that matter most to them. This involves community engagement, facilitating conversations, and helping residents turn shared concerns into community-led action.
I joined Riverside as a volunteer in 2018 while studying at Northumbria University, where I completed a Joint Honours degree in Health in Contemporary Society and Guidance and Counselling, followed by a Master’s degree in Public Health.
What I enjoy most about working at Riverside is supporting people to realise their potential, seeing confidence grow over time, and working alongside communities to create meaningful, lasting change.
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I work mainly with Romanian families, helping them navigate the challenges of living in the UK. Being Romanian myself, I understand the struggles many people face when adapting to a new country, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and figuring out how the system works. This first-hand knowledge enables me to relate to families and provide support that makes sense for their situation.
In addition, my education has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges families might face. I have a degree in Health and Social Care, and I’m now studying for a Master’s in Psychology. This has helped me understand the challenges and vulnerabilities that ethnic minorities face, as well as the need to address these concerns to improve their lives.
The ability to advocate for Romanian families is my favourite aspect of my job. It’s vital to me that they feel heard and supported as they strive for a better life in the UK.”
I work mainly with Romanian families, helping them navigate the challenges of living in the UK. Being Romanian myself, I understand the struggles many people face when adapting to a new country, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and figuring out how the system works. This first-hand knowledge enables me to relate to families and provide support that makes sense for their situation.
In addition, my education has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges families might face. I have a degree in Health and Social Care, and I’m now studying for a Master’s in Psychology. This has helped me understand the challenges and vulnerabilities that ethnic minorities face, as well as the need to address these concerns to improve their lives.
The ability to advocate for Romanian families is my favourite aspect of my job. It’s vital to me that they feel heard and supported as they strive for a better life in the UK.”
Jade Mciver
Children and Families Practitioner
As a Children and Families Practitioner my role is to provide stimulating and interactive play sessions for children and their families, from ages 0-5 years. Some of the groups you may meet me in are Baby Massage, Baby Social, Boogie Bairns and First Words Together.
The kinds of issues you might get in touch with me about are behavioural issues, nursery applications, toileting advice, play advice, other issues impacting your family life such as housing advice, help getting support for finances etc. I’m a great talker and listener and wherever I can support a family, I will.
Before becoming a Children and Families Practitioner, I worked in several nurseries as an Early Years Practitioner. I did this for 9 years before coming to Riverside. I also have 2 children of my own, so completely understand some of the struggle’s parents may have, and enjoy being able to help parents from a professional and personal point of view. I absolutely love my job here at Riverside, and take pride in knowing I’m helping so many families out there with a wide range of issues. My aim is to be able to pass on skills to parents, to empower them to be the best they can be for themselves and their children.
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Lauren Horton
Community Projects Practitioner
I joined Riverside in 2022 as a Receptionist and have since progressed into the Community Projects team. I am currently the Lead Worker on the Trailblazer project, supporting individuals who are not in employment. My role focuses on building confidence, developing skills, reducing social isolation and empowering people to move towards positive and sustainable outcomes.
Alongside Trailblazer, I support a range of other community initiatives, including Community Action on Need, contributing to wider work that addresses barriers faced by individuals and families in the community.
Between 2022 and 2024, I worked as an Adult Learning Tutor, delivering accredited qualifications designed to support people into employment. I taught a range of courses, including Level 2 and 3 Teaching Assistant, Safeguarding, and Understanding Autism.
Prior to joining Riverside, I worked as a Primary School Teacher. This experience provided me with a strong foundation in supporting learning, development and wellbeing, and continues to inform my inclusive, learner-centred approach in community and employability-focused work.
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Linda Snopkova
Families and Communities Practitioner
As a Families and Communities Practitioner my role is to support families by providing them help with welfare, housing, support towards employment and general advice. I started to work at Riverside in 2020. I work with many Slovak/Czech families and I also facilitate an International Women’s group.
The group provides local women with a friendly environment to help them socialise and a space to speak openly. This quality time together helps women to improve their confidence to speak English. Before coming to Riverside I worked as an interpreter and I first came to Riverside to provide this support. My interpreting background helps me to understand the system in this country as well as language barriers people face. What I most like about my job is seeing families progress with our support. I am delighted when they improve any aspect of their lives, whether their skills, confidence, education or employment. For me it is great to see they have a stable place to return when they need support.
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Lou Horsefield
Chief Executive
As Chief Executive my job is to work with our trustees, staff, volunteers, and Riverside’s many partners, towards making life better for people living in the west end of Newcastle. Working towards such broad goals means the job has variety. Different tasks include raising funds to carry on the work of Riverside, working to develop Riverside’s strategy, and making sure our policies / procedures help us to work safely, to a high standard. The kinds of issues you might contact me to discuss are, working in partnership and developing proposals to support people in the community.
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I have worked in the not for profit and charity sector for over 20 years, having started out in community development in North Tyneside. Before joining Riverside in 2025, I worked for The Percy Hedley Foundation for seven years leading the fundraising and community engagement team. My work there involved raising funds and awareness to support the charity to enable people with disabilities to live their best lives possible. Before that I spent twelve years with Your Homes Newcastle, initially working in resident engagement before going on to manage the strategy team. Riverside has been at the heart of the community in the West of Newcastle for many years and makes a big impact in the area. I feel very privileged to join the fantastic team at Riverside.
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Melissa Moran
Children and Families Practitioner
As a Children and Families Practitioner, my role is to provide interactive play sessions for families with children under the age of 5 years. Supporting development through play helps children with key skills such as taking turns, understanding social cues and developing language / communication. Within my role, I provide support to families referred by Children and Families Newcastle, around issues they may be dealing with. This support is known as Early Help Planning.
The kinds of issues you might get in touch with me about include information around sessions you would like to attend or parenting advice. I am happy to talk to parents / careers about weaning, nursery applications, toileting or children’s behaviour. I may also be able to signpost to get support for issues including housing or financial support.
I started out at the age of 17 working as a Receptionist at Riverside before moving onto a new role as Playgroup Worker. There I was able to gain my level 2 qualification in the Children and Young People’s Workforce. Prior to becoming a Children and Families Practitioner I also worked as Youth worker engaging with children aged from 5 to 18 years.
I really appreciate my current role as I am able to support families to help them overcome their difficulties. Even if I am able to help in just a small way, I know it is worthwhile. My favourite part of my profession is seeing the children who attend our sessions shine through as they develop their own little personalities. Overall, I find my role as a children and Families Practitioner very rewarding and hope that I can continue to make small differences for families.
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Nicola Oxley
Reception and Administration Officer
My name is Nicola, and I work as a Reception and Administration Officer at Riverside Community Project. I’m often the first point of contact for visitors and callers, answering enquiries, managing calls, and helping direct people to the right services or team members who can best support them. I enjoy helping people feel welcome and ensuring they receive the assistance they need.
Pearl Gibson
Cleaner
I have been part of the Riverside team since 2006. My jobs is to keep the building clean and tidy so that staff and community members can enjoy using it. I live locally and feel proud that I make things nice for everyone.
Shema Begum
Maternity Health Advisor
As the Maternity Health Advisor for the Inner West, my role includes empowering pregnant individuals and families. My key responsibilities include supporting the individuals to help improve their health and wellbeing, connecting them with relevant services and managing referrals for support from maternity services.
The support given to every family is different and the conversations will always reflect on their individual needs. Some of the support may include talking through pregnancy, birth and postnatal options; providing help in understanding the information provided and the care pathways; supporting emotional wellbeing and confidence during pregnancy; and signposting people to trusted services and resources when it is required.
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Stacie Walton
Community Projects Practitioner
My role as Community Projects Practitioner is to support people to access training and volunteering and to support families with welfare matters, such as managing their Universal Credit claims and applying for school places for their children. I also share administration and reception duties with others. I have worked at Riverside since 2020, starting out as a volunteer on reception before becoming employed.
During my time at Riverside I have been fortunate to successfully complete a Level 3 qualification in Volunteer Management. I have found my passion for helping people achieve their goals through volunteering and learning. I feel as though I can connect with people who want to volunteer, having been a volunteer myself.
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Toni Harvey
Community Projects Manager
As Community Projects Lead at Riverside my role is to support the Community Projects Practitioners to deliver various services within Riverside. Our team organises and coordinates the training programme and employability support, community coach trips, women’s work and welfare advice. I also support the Finance and Operations Manager with the accounts. You might get in touch with me about training, volunteering and employability support, community trips or welfare advice. You would also be very welcome to discuss any ideas you have about meeting local needs through community action.