LASS Trustees
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Barbara Butler
I am married with two grown-up sons who now live away from home but who regularly return to keep us up to date with their activities and also to enjoy a good feed! I am a retired teacher with several years experience of teaching English as a Second Language, although my initial qualification was in Food and Nutrition.
My many interests include art, travel and reading, when I have time to pursue them, after fulfilling my role as warden at the village church and as a trustee of LASS.
I completed the LASS volunteer training course four years ago and have since helped at Tuesday Drop-in and various fund and awareness raising events. I have been a Trustee for twelve months and hope to continue with the commitment I have shown towards the team of staff, volunteers and service users at LASS.
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Cathy Akabi-Davis; Vice-chair
Hi - My name is Cathy Davis and I’m a Leicester girl born and bred. I have worked for Northcliffe Media for the past 10 years as Administration Executive to the National Operations Director, the work is very hectic and I have to stand in for my Director on many occasions. I also work Saturdays with people who suffer from Dementia and Alzheimer’s which is not as bad as its sounds. To relax I power walk (at least 5 miles every other day) read, listen to Blues and Soul music and spend time with my family and friends.
I have been associated with LASS for the past 3 years I’m on the Fundraising and Events committee as well as being Vice-Chair for the Board of Trustees. For the past year I have been training with VOCALLS Leadership programme which I have found to be a great asset. We have covered everything from Strategic Planning to Governance to Fund Raising. Some of what I have learned I can put to good use in my every day life I like to think that I can ‘spread the word’ for LASS and make as many people understand what we are about and that one day we will be ‘up there’ with the big boys.
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Dr. Vincent Riley
Vincent came to Leicestershire with his family in 1982. He was pleased to be appointed to a Consultant post in Genitourinary Medicine at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. This followed two spells working abroad – in St. Lucia and the Seychelles - and a year in General Practice in Evesham. He has enjoyed every minute of his career which has spanned the history of HIV in Leicestershire, and having recently retired he wishes to continue to contribute to the community in a different way by supporting Team LASS as a Trustee. He says that he still has a lot to learn!
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Geoff Lilley
I am a recently retired divorced gay man with a life-partner. I am a father and grandfather. I have had careers which include 20 years in the commercial sector, 6 years as a Health Promotion Officer for a health authority and 17 years in the voluntary sector, mainly around social care and health. I was diagnosed HIV positive in May 1985. I have over 20 years experience of being a volunteer in a few voluntary organisations. The skills I bring to LASS include strategic fundraising, training, people management and commercial competence.
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Jean Seddon
Hi I’m Jean; I live in Leicester, and am now retired from many years working in the public sector. My 12 year old twin grandsons, watching tennis and ice skating and "socialising", are just some of the things that now take up my time!!!!
I am an Honorary Life Member of LASS being in the 1st intake of volunteers 20 years ago. I have been involved in most of LASS services, and have been on the Board of Trustees since 1991 with just a small break in the nineties.
My long experience of working and dealing with people from all walks of life, especially the homeless, assists me in my role as Trustee.
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Jeremy Edwards; Treasurer
Jeremy is an Independent Financial Adviser based in Leicestershire after a varied career in the public and private sector as auditor, accountant, financial controller, compliance officer, managing director of a telecoms company and computer techie. He brings a number of skills to the Trustees; accountancy, business practice, employment law and computing. Jeremy has been an active supporter and volunteer and Treasurer of LASS since 1989.
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Jo Chapman; Chair
Hello, my name is Jo Chapman and I come from Leicester. I have had a retail business in the city for the last 23 years. In conjunction with running the business I undertook a BA Honours degree in Health Studies at DeMontfort University graduating in 1997 having chosen HIV/AIDS as my specialised research subject.
I became a LASS volunteer in 1999 and since that time have been involved in the Fundraising and Events group. I became a member of the Management Committee in May 2002, serving as Vice Chair for a period of 2 years and became Chair in March 2006. Skills brought to the Board of Trustees: Business experience gained as an employer, Communication and ‘people’ skills, Knowledge of issues surrounding HIV/AIDS gained through my degree research.
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Lois (Lillian) Nevins
My name is Lois Nevins. I was born in Jamaica and moved to the UK many years ago.I was married with a family, but now divorced. I worked for the NHS for many years but I am now retired. I became a volunteer for LASS four years ago, my particular jobs are fund-raising and public awareness which I love and enjoy doing.
Skills I feel I bring to Trustee Board would be firstly, my own personal experience as a more matured person. Secondly, Communication, Listening, Counselling Skills, Empathy, Respect for others, understanding the needs, feelings of other culture, and cultural background. Being able to voice my opinion when necessary, or appropriate, always be aware of confidentiality, and always be willing to meet others half-way.
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Patrick Bowe
I was born and grew up in the Republic of Ireland. I am an Irish citizen. I am 45 years of age and have lived in the UK since 1983 and in Leicester since 1986.
I love living in Leicester and most of my friends and connections are in Leicester. For me Leicester is home.
I am an openly gay professional and I am a barrister practising out of chambers in Nottingham.
Before I became a barrister in 2000 I worked in catering and I trained as a hotel manager in Ireland before I left Ireland.
I have lost some very close and dear friends to AIDS related diseases and I am motivated to involve myself as fully as I can in the life of LASS.
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Saeed Ebrahim Seedat (MSc/Dip PSM, MA/Dip SW, BA (Hons)
I was born in Dewsbury Yorkshire however I would feel very disloyal to my parents who are very proud of their Indian roots and so I guess I must say I am from Gujarat India!
I trained and practiced as a Social Worker/Approved Social worker and have managed, for the last seven years, a Multi-disciplinary Community Learning Disabilities Team. I am currently a Planning and Service Development Officer for an Adult Social Care and Health Department. I am also a carer.
I have been involved with LASS since 1993 and my volunteer work has ranged from staffing the Drop-ins to befriending service users, their partners/carers to working for the Women’s Health in Prostitution Project. I am passionate about social justice and advocating for people in need. I take my role as a trustee of LASS very seriously. I bring to the Board a strong academic, social work, managerial and background in service planning and development and have a very relaxed, open, friendly manner and way of working. My strengths include to work with tact, sensitivity and diplomacy but never to shy away from having to make difficult decisions.