Meet the team

Afia

Lead Worker

I chose this job because growing up, I face lots of barriers so working with clients means I can help remove some of those barriers. I love my team!

Bhav

Senior Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) Officer

I have worked at BID Services for 20 years now and have always felt passionately about my job. As I have been in a number of different roles during this time, I have had the opportunity to develop new skills.

Noel

Ranvir

Intervention Worker

Mark

Business Development Executive

My proudest achievement was developing, setting up and sustaining our Employment Service for over 12 years.

Safina

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Officer

Fatemah

Lead Worker

Michael

Chesterberry Care Home Manager

Lisa

Marketing and Multimedia Specialist

I’ve been here for over 20 years without getting into too much trouble! When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, cooking and decorating the house. I have two dogs who enjoy taking me for walks!

Georgia

Marketing Officer

I’ve really enjoyed learning about different sensory impairments and learning BSL. I’m proud of the part I’ve played in revamping our social media presence and using these platforms to connect with, celebrate and inspire our communities.

Alex

Employment Coach

Ned

Full-time Working Boy

I’m a guide dog for Alex and I love coming into the office and getting lots of attention when I’m off-duty.

Amina

Independent Mental Health Advocate

Jock

Stakeholder Engagement Officer

Laura

Mental Health Advocacy

Karl

Training Officer

Mark

People and Culture Lead

Emma

Team Manager

My colleagues are my friends and we work together to support citizens to achieve their outcomes – no matter how big or small. I like to spend my spare time with my two children.

Denise

Employment Team Manager

I joined BID in 2019 and my proudest achievement is gaining qualifications in BSL. Working here gives me the opportunity to work in an innovative way.

Kayleigh

PA to CEO

I’ve had many different roles since joining BID in 2018! When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my children and family.

Richard

Youth and Transitional Worker

Andrew

BSL Employment Coach

I like working here and being part of a community. When I’m not here, I enjoy working on my project cards and being a dad to my three children!

Bailey

Communicator Guide

I joined the team in 2021. My proudest moment is achieving a level 3 apprenticeship in customer service. I really enjoy helping people and when I’m not at work, I like to visit my friends.

Lindsey

Hearing Aid Clinic Outreach Worker

I’ve been within the Sensory Services for 18 years and joined BID in 2017. I’m so proud of achieving my level 2 in BSL. I like working here because it gives me the chance to help break down the barriers that people with a sensory loss face on a daily basis in the community.

Karl

Development Manager

I began working at BID Services in 2017 and my proudest achievement is to see other people gaining confidence and agency after working with our services. I really enjoy working here because I get involved in so many different projects.

Georgina

Single Point of Access Worker

I originally joined BID in 2019 as Customer Service Co-ordinator however I left just after COVID. That didn’t last long though as, I loved working for BID that much, I returned in 2023. I have been lucky enough to be given so many opportunities to develop new skills and earn qualification that will benefit my future. I also love getting to know the people who use our service and speaking with some amazing characters daily. I know that no two days are the same and I can guarantee to be filled with laughter at some point every day.

Olivia

Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO)

I enjoy working for BID as I am able to support those living with sight loss. I enjoy the emotional support side of my role as I can relate to some of what my clients are going through due to having sight loss myself. In my spare time I enjoy singing, recording myself singing and putting it online. 

Dinos

Equipment Worker

I have worked in ICT for years but for the last 12 years I have worked exclusively with assistive tech, which I find extremely rewarding. I am pleased to join BID Leeds as it’s an amazing busy community hub with an entertaining team of colleagues, and most importantly, in the role I can have face to face interactions with my new service users. It’s a more a personal service.

Hannah

Employment Transitions Worker

I’m proud to have worked on some complex cases and managed to close them after being able to support them successfully. I enjoy working here because I love to support people with visual and hearing impairments. When not working, I like to spend time with my family and socialising with friends.

Milton

Equipment Officer

I started working for BID Services in 2013 and I’m proud to be empowering our service users in their daily lives. I like working here because I meet people from all walks of life. Outside of work, you’ll find me socialising with my friends and family.

Hannah

Employment Engagement Officer

My background has predominantly been within the Recruitment Sector, working with Employers on a national and local level to deliver the best opportunities to individuals to enhance their working careers and create opportunities for employment. I joined BID services because I wanted to make a difference. I strongly believe that people should be employed on their own individual ability and not their disability.

Chris

Sensory Service Manager

I joined in 2011 and I’m proud to have helped launch the Leeds service. I love the variety of my role, supporting teams and seeing the difference we make to people’s lives. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming! I live on a narrow boat so often spend time travelling along the water.

Wendy

Volunteer/Befriending Coordinator

My journey began back in 2019 as an Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Officer for visually impaired people but later moved over to this role. I really enjoy receiving lovely messages of appreciation from people that I’ve supported – I love to help people keep their independence.

Joanne

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Worker

Jo

Single Point of Access Coordinator

Amanda

Senior Community Development Officer

Paul

Information, Advice and Guidance Worker

Jess

Sensory Service Manager

Amanda

Senior Sensory Deafblind and Children’s Assessor

Dona

Office Admin

I joined in 2022 and I really like being able to advise and help people whenever and wherever I can, it’s very rewarding to offer assistance to those who are unsure. When I’m not working, I’m usually organising events for my son and his friends or enjoying dinner and a show!

Elaine

Sensory Service Officer

Pauline

Team Manager

I started in 2013 and my proudest achievement is achieving a level 5 award in management and leadership and passing level 2 BSL. As a deaf person, I find it empowering working for a sensory impairment charity. In my spare time, I crochet, do gardening and travel.

Paul

Specialist Community Sensory Officer

I started at BID as a volunteer in 2010 and I’m proud to have been offered a permanent role and achieving my level 6 BSL qualification. I like the variety that my job role offers, no two days are the same! I also enjoy meeting people from all background and I really enjoy being able to communicate in BSL, deafblind tactile and deafblind manual sign language.

Leigh

Solihull and Coventry Sensory Service Team Manager/ROVI

I joined the team in April 2019 and after 22 years as a ROVI, I was asked to step up to my current position. Working here is like working with family, everyone who works for BID is passionate about the people they work with and support.

Atlas

Full-time Happy Boy

I’m a hearing dog for my mum, Leigh!

Sarah

Senior BSL Interpreter and Lipspeaker

I joined in 2008, my proudest achievement is becoming a qualified Lipspeaker. I like working here because of the friendly and supportive atmosphere. In my spare time, I’m a crochet pattern designer and tester.

Beth

BSL/English Interpreter

I joined the team in 2019 and I enjoy working at BID Services because of the passion and support of my team. In my spare time, I enjoy playing sport and spending time with family and friends.

Frankie

BSL/English Interpreter

I joined the team in 2011, left between 2016-2019 and returned in 2019! When not working here, I enjoy watching and playing sport and walking in my local park by the river.

Jo

BSL/English Interpreter

I started working for BID Services in 2011 as Projects Officer. After years working on various projects I made the jump across to Interpreting in 2023. I am currently an in-house Sign Language Interpreter. Most of my favourite moments from working at BID involve our youth service and the amazing young people who’ve accessed our services.

Sophie

Trainee BSL/English Interpreter

Harsimran

Trainee BSL/English Interpreter

Gail

CEO

I started working here in 1999 and I’m proud to have worked to develop BID from a small locally based charity to a regional charity that operates across a national footprint with a diverse range of services and projects. I enjoy working with talented, caring and extremely dedicated people.

Tony

Head of Finance and I.T.

I started in 2015 and I’m particularly proud of the role in enabling the organisation to work throughout the COVID-pandemic. I love seeing how the work we do has an positive effect on people’s lives. Outside of work, I enjoy down-time with my family and friends.

Ian

Head of Operations

I joined in January 2021 and my role is to look after all of our services across England that provide direct support to our service users. I’m responsible for keeping our services safe, of a high standard and to deliver what our service users and commissioners want.

Sunita

Head of Business Development/Marketing

I started in 2018 to help bring in fundraising which enabled us to launch new services, in particular those needed during the pandemic. I love to get out and about in nature, going for walks and climbing as much as I can!

Michael

Chair

Joined the Board in September 2015, taking on the role of treasurer. Michael was previously Director of Resources at BID and has an in-depth knowledge of the organisation. He holds an MSc in public service management, is highly skilled in IT, accountancy, human resource management and has supported the governance of the organisation.

Sandeep

Trustee

Sandeep has been a member of the board since September 2012. Being profoundly deaf herself, she brings comprehensive knowledge and experience of the juxtaposition of Asian British culture and of hearing/deaf culture. Her understanding within the deaf community of belief and ethical matters makes a valuable contribution to the balance of the board.

Matt

Trustee

Matt has a wealth of experience in supporting organisations to achieve their potential, in addition to helping individual into work using Diversity & Inclusion strategies. Having been born with unilateral hearing loss, Matt is passionate about creating awareness and supporting others with hearing loss. He’s been a proud member of our Board since November 2021.

Sasha

Trustee

Alongside being a trustee, Sasha is currently training to become a solicitor at a notable firm within the Black Country and is due to qualify in September 2024. In her spare time, Sasha enjoys adventuring the outdoors with her Springer Spaniel, Barney. Sasha took on this position due to her passion for people and to ensure that inclusion and confidence is continued to be forged for those living with visual and hearing impairments.

Andrew

Treasurer

Andrew brings a diverse range of experience gained from senior positions in both the public and private sector. As a Chartered Management Accountant and also a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers, Andrew brings valuable finance and commercial experience to the Board.