RETAS has a team of amazing people with various different skills, from various backgrounds and they all contribute to the incredible work that RETAS does. Without these people this work could not happen so we are so appreciative of their hard work.
Staff
Roger Nyantou
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Erica Graca
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Hussam Dalil
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Fidelis Chebe
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Alice Tooley - Volunteer Coordinator
I joined RETAS in 2018 as an Adviser on our New Roots project, supporting newly granted refugees with transitioning from asylum support to independent living. In 2021, I began working as our Volunteer Service Coordinator. My role involves recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers, creating volunteer roles, and striving to achieve our vision for the volunteer service. Since I joined RETAS, I have always loved working closely with our amazing volunteers, who bring diverse skills, experiences and ideas to the organisation. I also really enjoy helping our volunteers reach their personal and professional goals during their time at RETAS. |
Aneela Afzal - Employment & Education Adviser
Hi my name is Aneela Afzal I joined RETAS in late October 2018. I work currently two days a week. I have worked for over nine years within the private sector supporting people in to long term sustainable employment. My prime objective at RETAS is to work on the Syrian resettlement programme supporting people with employment related matters. So at the moment our team is working on devising and delivering employment skills workshops such as interview techniques, cv building workshops and a lot more. I and another colleague are also proactively building relationships with employers to source jobs for our clients. So if finding work is on the top of your agenda or something you are considering then please feel free to talk to me over a cup of tea! I can offer a user friendly, client centred employment advice service.
Hi my name is Aneela Afzal I joined RETAS in late October 2018. I work currently two days a week. I have worked for over nine years within the private sector supporting people in to long term sustainable employment. My prime objective at RETAS is to work on the Syrian resettlement programme supporting people with employment related matters. So at the moment our team is working on devising and delivering employment skills workshops such as interview techniques, cv building workshops and a lot more. I and another colleague are also proactively building relationships with employers to source jobs for our clients. So if finding work is on the top of your agenda or something you are considering then please feel free to talk to me over a cup of tea! I can offer a user friendly, client centred employment advice service.
Fatima Mahmood -Employment & Education Adviser
I joined RETAS as an Education and Employment Adviser in January of this year, after volunteering for the organization for 6 months. I completed my Masters degree in International Law from Brunel University in west London, and moved back to Yorkshire shortly after. I worked in the corporate and education sectors, before finally actualizing my true passion of working with one of the most vulnerable groups of people in society - refugees. I work full time on the 28-day transition project, which can be quite intense at times, but is always extremely rewarding. |
Trustees
RETAS is overseen by a board of 8 trustees who actively seek to maintain transparent and high standards of governance set out by our Matrix award.
Robert Gosling
Hi, my name is Robert, and I have the honour of being the Chair of Trustees. I am very proud of the great work that we do to make all refugees and asylum seekers feel welcome, and the support we give to help them successfully integrate into society. In my spare time I am active in local politics, and an avid fan of Halifax RLFC, and Yorkshire County Cricket Club. |
Liz Campell
My name is Liz and I have worked in schools on educational projects and partnerships promoting inclusive practise. I believe that diversity and inclusion can be the starting point for our ‘work’, and our friendships. When I retired, I started volunteering at RETAS in the drop-in advice sessions. I very soon understood a phrase I heard on a weekly basis ‘There’s nowhere quite like RETAS’! I loved the problem-solving approach advisers brought to complex migration issues, and the hope they gave to refugees and asylum seekers. As a trustee I now enjoy the opportunity to be involved in the development of RETAS. It is an organisation always striving to understand how best to structure support and services offered to refugees and asylum seekers. I’m particularly keen to increase our visibility as a service through our website and social media. When possible I spend time campervanning in Europe, and listening to world music especially the wonderful sounds of Aziza Brahim a refugee from Algeria. |
Pippa Brook
I’m Pippa and my role on the Board is Secretary which means I get to do exciting things like taking minutes and preparing the agenda for meetings! I was a Learning Disabilities nurse working in the NHS and later in the voluntary sector. After I retired I started doing voluntary work which, in recent years has been with the Refugee Sector in Leeds. My passion for moving society towards being more welcoming to anyone who is at risk of exclusion, led me to RETAS. My other passions are craft work - beading, crochet and knitting; walking with my dog; and cooking and eating vegan food |
Matt Thornfield
My name is Matt and I’m the treasurer of Retas. After working for 20 years in IT and then risk management in banking, I now run my own company teaching computer programming. I first became involved as a volunteer supporting asylum seekers around 3 years ago, mainly through friends who were already volunteering in various ways. Over this time I have learned a lot about the asylum process and the need for support for both refugees and asylum seekers. Having previously been a treasurer of another charity, when I heard that Retas was looking for a new treasurer I jumped at the chance to be involved. I find the work that Retas does, and the dedication and ethos of all the staff, volunteers and trustees, a really uplifting environment and a pleasure to be a part of.
Rawand Ahmed
I joined RETAS in January 2021 because I believe in RETAS's values. I am a passionate individual, a striving Refugee living in the UK. I enjoy working with communities and my vision is to improve Migrants, Refugee, and Asylum Seeker's lives. I am passionate about mental health issues. I have a passion for social justice and I am experienced in supporting people in the integration/inclusion process to help communities live in peace and resilience. I hope to enhance my knowledge in the Migrant sector.
Mike Baynham
My name is Matt and I’m the treasurer of Retas. After working for 20 years in IT and then risk management in banking, I now run my own company teaching computer programming. I first became involved as a volunteer supporting asylum seekers around 3 years ago, mainly through friends who were already volunteering in various ways. Over this time I have learned a lot about the asylum process and the need for support for both refugees and asylum seekers. Having previously been a treasurer of another charity, when I heard that Retas was looking for a new treasurer I jumped at the chance to be involved. I find the work that Retas does, and the dedication and ethos of all the staff, volunteers and trustees, a really uplifting environment and a pleasure to be a part of.
Rawand Ahmed
I joined RETAS in January 2021 because I believe in RETAS's values. I am a passionate individual, a striving Refugee living in the UK. I enjoy working with communities and my vision is to improve Migrants, Refugee, and Asylum Seeker's lives. I am passionate about mental health issues. I have a passion for social justice and I am experienced in supporting people in the integration/inclusion process to help communities live in peace and resilience. I hope to enhance my knowledge in the Migrant sector.
Mike Baynham