Learn more about each member of the team
Johanna - Interim Branch Coordinator
Johanna is our Interim Branch Coordinator, Johanna took on the role to save the branch from closure after leading the Nearly New Sale team alongside Jen for 4 years.
Johanna is also a Project Manager with over 8yrs experience in Project Management across Engineering, Energy and Nuclear, Heritage, Charity and Higher Education sectors. Specialising in non-profit and community projects, Johanna is currently working on a project to train women from minority groups in tech roles.
At home Johanna loves crafts and sci-fi and spending time with her husband and two children, Johanna also has a keen interest in reducing waste and protecting the environment which is what initially drew her to the NCT Nearly New Sales.
Shakirah - Branch Web Coordinator
Shakirah is our Branch Web Coordinator. An administrator, content writer and Mum of two adorable girls. She is passionate about giving back to the community which helped her during her child’s initial development.
From advocating actively for women in STEM roles (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Shakirah has a keen interest in teaching and enjoys tutoring in her spare time.
Nearly New Sale Team
Jen - Nearly New Sale Co-Coordinator
Jen has been on the Nearly New Sale team now for 4 years as one of the Nearly New Sale Coordinators. When not organising (& shopping at) the sales, Jen works at Durham University managing a postgraduate research partnership. She is also kept busy by her two young boys and baby girl, born at the end of 2020.
Nicola - Nearly New Sale Treasurer
Nicola is our Deputy Treasurer for the Nearly New Sales; a role she has been in for nearly 4 years now. She came from a background in finance after working in Local Government for 10years and is currently employed in an Admin role at Sunderland University. If she’s not working she’s spending time with her husband, 3 children and cockapoo. Her youngest daughter particularly enjoys bargain hunting with her at the Nearly New Sales
Claire - Nearly New Sale Social Media Coordinator
Claire has been working with the NCT Durham branch for about 2 years, helping to manage the social media promotion of the various branch Nearly New and Toy Sales throughout the year.
Claire is a Chartered Marketer and CIM qualified with over 18 years’ experience in marketing communications. She is a freelance Social Media Manager and runs her own company, Knight & Day Social Media Management, to help unlock the power and potential of social media for individuals and businesses of all sizes and budgets. She is based in Gloucestershire, is a mum of 2 and is passionate about helping and supporting parents of young children.
Julia - Nearly New Sale Business Volunteer
Julia is our Nearly New Sale Business Volunteer. She has worked within further education for 14 years mainly specialising in Apprenticeships. She has worked with a variety of businesses during this time providing advice, guidance and recruitment alongside supporting young people into employment. When not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls aged 4 and 1. She also loves crafting when she has the time!
Susie – Bumps and Babies Group Leader
After completing a textile degree in Aberdeen, I moved to Durham for my partner's work. Became a pharmacy technician and then a high school lab technician. Put that on hold to become a full time mum to two bonkers children.
Attended bumps and babies with both babies where I made all my mum friends and found so much support. When not tearing around after the kids I love crochet, mountains, good meals and spas.
Bryony – Branch Volunteer
Parenting groups were an essential feature when I became a new mum in helping me navigate parenthood, babies, breastfeeding and lack of sleep, and I really felt they supported my mental health and wellbeing! It was an NCT bumps and Babies group at which I met a group of parents and babies that I’m still friends with nearly 10 years later! Since then, I have always wanted to help support parents during these early days.
I have been an infant and nursery teacher for around 8 years and love working with children. At home I’m kept busy by my own brood of two boys and my new baby girl. My latest addition is introducing me to the hectic, but amazing job of Special Needs Mum, and keeping me super busy learning lots of new skills and meeting lots of new people. Whenever we can, our family loves to get out into nature to explore. I also love to dance, which is how I met my partner!
Bethany May - Walk and Talk Leader
Bethany May is passionate about NCT’s mission of supporting new and expectant parents. As a qualified Norland nanny and maternity nurse, she brings unique insight and experience to our volunteer team. Bethany is passionate about early years research and also provides respite foster care for children and teenagers locally. In her free time, Bethany enjoys cooking, reading, crafting and going to the beach with her husband and two black labradors; Diesel & Dottie.
Emma - Nearly New Sale Volunteer
Tonbridge, 2018 I attended an NTC antenatal course and made 7 great friends, 5 years later we still speak on a regular basis despite me moving 300 miles north to Durham. These ladies were my lifeline in the early days as well as during the pandemic and now I want to give NCT some of my time as a thank you
Prior to starting my family I spent many years working overseas for a British tour operator and progressed to become an In-house Recruitment Manager for an airline. It’s safe to say I have a passion for travel and discovering new places. I’m currently a stay at home mum to two very energetic boys and as a family we spend a lot of time outside exploring parks, beaches, woods, generally getting dirty and burning energy!
Annabelle and George – Builder Tots Group Leaders
Annabelle and George are the coordinators of our new Lego Duplo meet and make sessions. Annabelle is from Singapore and George is from London and are a husband and wife duo. They met during their studies at Durham University where Annabelle studied Geography and George studied Archaeology. Annabelle and George are both fans of Lego and are keen to get parents and babies involved in this fun and educational toy. They have a 2 gorgeous boys and live in Spennymoor.
Kirsty – PSA Link
After working for my family’s business for 7 years I’ve recently started my access course and hope to progress onto a midwifery degree. When I had my first child I really relied on baby and parent support groups as I didn’t have a lot of friends who had children and really wanted to meet other mums. Hearing about everyone’s different experiences and difficulties made me realise just how important support networks are and how much I’d love to be able to support new parents in their journey. In my spare time I love any outdoor adventures and spending time with my fiancé and two children at our families lodge in Bamburgh.
Claire – Tots Toddle Group Leader
Originally from County Durham, Claire moved away to Manchester to study as a Pharmacist, before moving to Leeds for the first few years of her career. Eventually settling back in Durham, Claire is now Mam to two young children. Claire felt very fortunate to meet a great group of parents through both the NCT classes when pregnant, as well as the groups such as Bumps & Babies in the months and years after. Aware of the fantastic support these groups can provide, Claire was keen to become a NCT volunteer.
Toni – Tots Toddle Group Leader
Toni is a mum of two and an ex-teacher with a love of science. She spends most her days exploring outdoors with her toddler in between school runs and loves anywhere with good coffee and cake! She knows how lonely parenting can be and is looking forward to helping support other parents through her volunteering. When she gets a moment of free time, she loves baking and collecting sea glass to turn into jewellery.’
I’ll start on the training too and hopefully have all that finished soon. I look forward to hearing more about the Tots Toddle, I think it sounds amazing! If there is anywhere else I can help out as well, please just let me know.
Sarah – Groups Team Leader
Sarah is an environmental scientist and lives in Durham City. Her NCT antenatal group and the Bump and Babies group were huge sources of support when her first baby was born in 2018, and during her second maternity leave she became a Walk and Talk Leader in order to help support other new parents.
Now that she is back at work, she oversees the wonderful volunteers who run the branch parent support groups. She loves being outdoors and cycling when she can.
