People

Carol Hunter – Trustee (Founder)

Carol is the ‘grandmother’ of Patchwork; another founding member of Patchwork and has been our treasurer since 2001 providing great support in her role. She has a lifetime of volunteering/activism in the west end since 1994 going onto support the east end of the city in her role as Community Development worker with Healthworks for 11 years. Not afraid of speaking up when needed, Carol is an invaluable trustee.

Carole Pattison – Trustee

The ‘better half’ as John calls her. Carole has been the quiet support in the background for many years. Throughout the Guiness trust era, and the Judo club – to date. She officially joined Patchwork trustees in 2010, though had served informally for many years (the “4th founding member”). Local resident for 50 years, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. Great attention to detail especially proof reading.

Chelsea Dixon – Treasurer

Chelsea stepped up to the role of Treasurer in Jan 2024. She has been a trustee since 2016. She is also the Trustee Safeguarding lead. Chelsea grew up and still lives in the West End of Newcastle. She attended projects locally as a youth and progressed onto University to complete a degree in Business Management.

She has a wealth of knowledge of project management within the community and voluntary sector particularly housing and social care. She has worked as administrator previously at Patchwork and West End Women and Girls. She is currently managing the build of 2 new social housing projects in Gateshead and as well as all that she is mammy to Fran and James.

Danni Conroy – Trustee

Danni attended the project as a young person and leapt at the chance to contribute back. Always with an eye towards fairness and accountability Danni provides down to earth insights and challenges. Now a mam she has an understanding of the challenges parents face bringing up children in the local neighbourhood. Working at a local nursery where she is also safeguarding lead, we are lucky to have her view on issues that may come up for discussion.

Dean Curry – Vice Chair

Dean attended Patchwork as a young child then grew into a volunteer, trainee, part then full time worker. After a 5 year stint in Czech Republic Dean returned to the North East picking up a job as Senior worker at Ocean Road youth centre. He joined the trustees on his return to contribute back. He understands the community as a resident, child, young adult and worker. Personal experience of discrimination, and comparable dilemmas in his current work at Ocean Road.

Donna Partington – Secretary

Donna Partington joined the trustees in 2016, and stepped up to the role of Secretary in Jan 2025. She provides vital insight into the views of local people and raises issues of importance to the community. She is a parent and grandparent whose own children attended Patchwork. Her grandchild George has been diagnosed with Autism and she provides honest and thoughtful, yet expert knowledge in this field.

John Pattison – Trustee (Founder)

John is one of Patchworks four founding members still active as a Trustee. Affectionately known as the ‘grandfather of Patchwork’. He has a lifetime of service to the community and stepped down as Chair of Patchwork in Jan 2025 after serving in that role, off and on (mainly on) since 2001. John also helped to set up Westgate Juniors Football Club, the running of Guinness Partnership Residence Association as Chair for 10+years. He continues to be on the committee of Cowgate Judo Club, running since 1952. John is also a father, grandfather and great father. He continues to be a grandfather to Patchwork staff in terms of guidance and support.

Mary Shearer – Trustee (Founder)

Mary is a founding member of Patchwork still with project. Mary has lived and worked in the Benwell terraces most of her life. She stepped down as secretary in Jan 2025 but continues to be a champion of the local. She is very well connected within the local neighbourhood. Previously a statutory play service worker and then the care field. She continues to be a giant local character known for her friendliness and care. She opened our Patchwork 1 building in 2006, quite a coup for us to get Shearer from Newcastle! She also played a speaking role in the Ken Loach film ‘Sorry we missed you’.

Matt Marshall – Chair

Matt stepped up to the role of Chair in Jan 2025, after joining the trustees in 2017. Matt fell in love with Patchwork following a stint as a student researcher and volunteer during his Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction with Newcastle University. Originally from Cramlington and with a background in grassroots organisations as well as Open Data, he brings outside perspectives and also acts as our volunteer technical support.

Paul Tighe – Trustee

Paul came in for a meeting with a young person at Patchwork, in his role as under 25yrs housing advisor with NCC. The next week he came with a spanner to fix our dodgy radiator. We immediately realised he shared our values and would be a great fit for our trustees. Paul joined the trustees in Oct 2024. He brings an understanding of the work from a different perspective. Has an eye for detail and scrutiny. Shared bread literally with his sour dough recipe and is willing to put his hand up when needed.