Sue (Project Manager)
Hi I am the newby at Ben’s. I started on 4th July 2011 after Ben’s had been closed for a refurb. So it was a fresh Ben’s and a fresh me. I would like to thank Wendy (the previous manger) for all the work she so diligently did over the last 8 years – she will be missed by clients and staff – a big pair of shoes to fill but I will try. I come from a background of working & volunteering in the drug and alcohol field for well over a decade.
Kay Pitcher
Kay began with Ben’s 18 months ago as a volunteer, and twelve months later was recruited as a Project Worker. Kay is partly funded by health money and general donations. Her post is to promote health with our service users and she loves nothing more than to work with our clients and their well being, making beaded jewellery or outside with our garden. Kay is a real treasure, a rare jewel herself and has battled to overcome obstacles in her own life to develop a new career for herself in social care.
Mary
Our diligent book keeper who comes on average just one afternoon a week. Mary patiently perseveres with our old computer and the most cantankerous printer to keep our finances orderly. Our auditor always comments on our high standards of bookkeeping at the Centre.
Daryl B
Daryl has come to replace Sue as the new kid on the block, starting in February 2012 Daryl has spent the last 2 years working at The Greens. With a very varied work history and skill set he hopes to be starting some fresh, new, and creative projects at Ben’s. A musician, writer and avid beard grower Daryl will be available Mondays and Tuesdays.
Daryl C (Chef)
Ben’s centre’s new chef, another Daryl! Daz has been working as a chef for 9 years; his experiences include working inFranceandSpainwhere his passion for making food got a foreign and creative twist. He is equally passionate about teaching his art to others and hopes to be treating our taste buds as well as our minds!
Volunteers
We have a small team of faithful volunteers who give of their time so selflessly.
David R
I have been volunteering at Bens since September 2010. I started at Bens to gain experience working with people with Alcohol and substance misuse issues in preperation for the DAAT funded ambassador scheme. However after getting on the scheme I decided to stay on at Bens as I enjoyed it so much. I generaly spend my Thursdays here playing and quite often being beaten at Pool and discussing the latest Football news, but the best part of my day is the chats with clients about the issues affecting them on that given day and how they can get around them.
Janet
Janet squeezes us into her hectic schedule as a deaconess at the Victoria Methodist Hall and volunteers every Monday afternoon. An avid football fan, who shares her football wisdom with any client who will listen! (rescuing the rest of the staff who know nothing about football) She also loves snooker and each year we play the game ‘spot Janet at The Crucible’ on the TV. Her love of 60s music often causes her to get very carried away singing along to some CD and looks at us aghast that we aren’t joining in.
Janet is a great net worker. She chairs the Churches Homeless forum and volunteers with The Sunday Centre and Soup Wagon working with the homeless in Sheffield.
Nev
Hi, my name is Nev; I moved to Sheffield about three years ago and I have been volunteering in this field since then. Starting as an ambassador at Sheffield DAAT gave me the skills I needed to volunteer as a worker and move on to a years volunteering at Turning point. I now have a position both at Safar: The Greens and Ben’s Centre, a great place to work. All the staff and clients are really welcoming, like one big family!
David M
David came across from Tenerife to study in Sheffield some time ago and here he has remained. Fluent in several languages David brings colour and laughter to Ben’s and can be found keeping the place spotless every evening from around 3:30pm.
Di
Di, a unique and vibrant member of the volunteer team, has been at Ben’s centre since Summer 2011. She has worked for many years in the field of support including work with drugs, alcohol and the elderly. She likes to spend as much time as possible visiting foreign lands and topping up her legendary tan! Di usually works at Ben’s on a Thursday.
Lynn
Lynn has been gracing Ben’s centre with her presence since summer 2011, she has worked in support services for over twenty years. Her talents include dancing (mainly to Northern Soul) and rumour has it she is a most excellent cook! She enjoys a good hike and can be found on project every Friday.
