Governance and the staff team

Jane Booty

Deepika Bagga

I believe FAN is really making a difference in community through bringing people of all beliefs, races and cultures in FAN groups and strengthening good relationship between individuals.

Donald Sargeant

My name is Donald Sargeant. I was born in Dublin, so I am Irish, but I came to live in the UK when I was 14.  When I was 22, I went on Voluntary Service for 2 years as a teacher to Kenya. This was the start of a series of jobs teaching English as a second or foreign language in Africa, Asia, and Europe. I eventually became a teacher trainer to teachers of English as a foreign Language in China, Poland, Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. In my last job I returned to volunteering in Cambodia and was there when COVID forced me to return to the UK, so I settled in Wales because my sister, my nearest relative is based here. I then joined OASIS and do voluntary English teaching to refugees.  It was at OASIS that I heard about FAN and through it I have made many friends of different ages, backgrounds, and countries.

Ian Thomson

I am a retired information specialist who worked for Cardiff University and an international commercial publisher for most of my working life. I was also successively the Secretary, Chairman and Honorary President of the main professional association for European information professionals in the world. I also had periods as a Member of the Welsh Consumer Council and Transport Consultative Council for Wales.

Before and since retirement I have become involved with FAN as a participant and Facilitator, and more recently as a Trustee. I think FAN can really make a difference to people in building up a sense of belonging, help with loneliness and practice with English and Welsh language learning, as well as provide a fantastic way of meeting interesting and lovely people from across the world.

Peter Akers

I am retired and live with my wife in Penarth. I have two children who live in New York and Uganda. My degree is in chemical engineering but I also have international experience in business, financial management and business change management. I have been a Trustee for several years and perform the role of Treasurer for FAN.

Jane Tooby

I have had a number of roles in both education and health promotion. I have been involved in initiatives with people seeking asylum and refugees for nearly two decades.

Huda Khirelsied

My name is Huda and I was born in a small town called Omduram, Sudan. I moved to Cardiff in 2014. I did not know anyone here except my sons and my husband. I started going to ESOL classes at Oasis Cardiff to improve my English where I heard about FAN. My teacher told me about the FAN Group. I became a FAN Facilitator in October 2015. I was supported by two of my best friends, my neighbour Steve and a lady from Russia.

Now I am working at Oasis Cardiff as a Finance Assistant and Administrator and I became a FAN Trustee in 2019. FAN Groups gave me the opportunity to practise the English language, meet friends from all over the world, sharing experiences and laughing together in a friendly atmosphere. Now FAN has Virtual meeting groups as well.

Sara Jones

Sara Jones Originally from Anglesey, Sara started her working life at ITV Wales (then known as HTV Wales) where she worked as a Researcher, Assistant Producer and Producer. After a decade in the television industry Sara moved to BBC Wales as part of the Marketing, Events and Communications team.

Sara now works at Amgueddfa Cymru as a Membership Marketing Officer as part of the Development team

Katherine Kanyeihamba

Sarah Duncan-Jones

I'm Sarah Duncan-Jones and I am the Manager of the FAN Charity. I am based in Cardiff but currently work extensively on Zoom and look for opportunities to link with other organisations and individuals to develop the work of FAN. I have been involved in FAN for 16 years as a participant, facilitator, then member of staff and I know what a difference being involved in FAN has made to me. 

Sally Smith

I am Sally and I am the Administrative Support worker for FAN.  I first got to know about FAN when I attended a group for parents organised by my children's primary school. I then attended other groups in Cardiff and particularly those in my local area as I enjoy meeting people in my local community.  I have worked for FAN for five years and I continue to attend meetings as a FAN friend.

Janina Kuczys

I'm Janina and I've been Support and Development Officer for FAN in Cardiff since 2016. I've volunteered and worked with lots of different charities for more than 40 years.I love how welcoming FAN meetings are to people of all kinds and it's wonderful to see how valuable FAN is to so many people, particularly in the current circumstances. My role with FAN is to support the FAN groups based in Cardiff which of course most recently has included helping them to re-group as virtual groups via Zoom, a big learning curve for lots of us!

Philippa Wisdom

Hello my name is Philippa Wisdom and I'm the Development and Support Officer for Swansea and Llanelli. I've had more than 30 years experience of working with charities in the UK and abroad - this may make me sound ancient but I'm not really!

I'm excited by the way our FAN groups draw people together who may not meet each other in the normal run of life, it's interesting and enhances our understanding of each other, even over Zoom, which is one of the many reasons I love doing my job!

In my spare time I'm an avid, albeit rather amatuer, veggie grower and wage war with the slugs in my back garden with a passion! I look forward to meeting you at a FAN group one day!