Next time you pass a Metrolink stop have a look out for one of these poems.
They have been written by Back on Track service users as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the homelessness problem in Manchester this winter. This one, Sleeping With My Boots On, is by Lawrence, who has been homeless himself.
The campaign is a partnership between Back on Track, Street Support and Transport for General Manchester.
Hollie McKeith
Trustee
Hollie is a senior finance leader with over 20 years’ experience, primarily in the NHS, specialising in financial recovery, transformation, strategic planning and investment. A qualified accountant trained at PricewaterhouseCoopers, she has extensive experience of working in complex organisations and bringing financial, commercial and governance expertise to help ensure a sustainable future for Back on Track. Born and brought up in Greater Manchester, Hollie is passionate about the city and its communities. She is committed to using her experience to support Back on Track and its work with people experiencing multiple disadvantages.
Rachel Dyson
Trustee
Rachel has more than 15 years experience working in local government across Greater Manchester. Tackling inequalities and supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage has been the central thread through roles in research, policy, public service reform and public health. In her current role she is a champion for the voluntary and community sector and is passionate about working to create more equitable partnerships across sectors. She is keen to bring this experience to support the work of Back on Track.
Lucy Hopwood
Trustee
Lucy is a solicitor at Capsticks, providing legal support to a large health and social care regulator. Having studied law with The Open University, she believes in the flexible, accessible education delivered at Back on Track as a powerful tool for personal development. Lucy has previous experience as a volunteer with Coffee4Craig and Business in the Community, and is passionate about access to education, social justice, and empowering people from all walks of life to achieve their goals.
Tess Murphy
Trustee
Tess has spent the past ten years working across homelessness and multiple disadvantage both as a support worker and more recently a researcher. She currently works in public service reform, supporting Greater Manchester Housing Providers to help their residents who are struggling financially. She has worked alongside Back on Track in the past and is dedicated to supporting staff and members get the most out of their incredible service.
Sarah is a freelance accountancy tutor working with students at BPP, from her home online and around the UK. Having been involved in education for over 20 years and through her volunteer work, Sarah is passionate about social justice and feels proud to be involved with Back on Track. Her work as a Trustee is about continuous learning and appreciation of the difficulties the members face and the incredible work the staff make to the members’ lives.
Amanda Paterson
Treasurer
As an experienced Business/Project director Amanda recently led a strategic transformation project for five years. Since leaving BAE Systems in 2021 she has been a volunteer vaccinator through St John’s ambulance and was recently appointed as a magistrate.
Sue Jenkins
Vice Chair
Sue is a Talent Partner at a major Manchester law firm. She is keenly interested in people development and has advised and trained clients widely on matters relating to equality, discrimination, diversity and inclusion.
Kevin Wong
Trustee
Kevin is Associate Director, Criminal Justice at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU). He leads the unit’s work on how the voluntary sector works with criminal and community justice services.
Julie Taylor
Trustee
Julie is Programme Director for Our Healthier Manchester – the Locality Plan that sets out an ambitious plan to improve the health and care outcomes for the people of Manchester. She has worked in the NHS for over 30 years.
Lyndsey Forrest
Trustee
Lyndsey is a Divisional Finance Director at LTE Group, the largest social enterprise in the country dedicated to learning, training & employment. She has worked in finance for over 20 years and wanted to use her experience to support Back on Track.
Judy Harrison
Trustee
Judy is an NHS consultant psychiatrist working with crisis services across Manchester. She is also very involved in education and training for medical students and junior doctors. She has seen how services at Back on Track can help to turn people’s lives around, and now supports our work in the mental health field.
Amina Bodhania
Trustee
Amina is the Head of Partnerships and Business Improvement at Novus. She has over 17 years’ experience in the Education sector, beginning her teaching career at Macclesfield College and then progressing to a career in prison education, holding a variety of operational and strategic positions. She is a strong advocate for the power of learning and sees this as a key contributor to social mobility.
Olusayo Phillips
Trustee
Olusayo is a Risk Management professional with over 25 years’ experience in financial services. She is passionate about seeing people thrive and achieving their potential. She strongly believes in the work Back on Track is doing, and is humbled to be a part of making such a positive impact in the community.
Gillian Drakeford MBE
Chair of Trustees
Gillian had an extensive career as a CEO leading international retail enterprises for IKEA Group. She led the establishment of IKEA in China and a business turnaround in UK & Ireland. Today Gillian works as a senior advisor, non-executive director and mentor focused on consumer businesses. She is an advisor to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Good Employment Charter.
With her desire for making a difference for people, Gillian has a real passion for building and shaping inclusive organisational cultures where individuals thrive and grow.
