Meet The Team

Our team are committed to carers. Many members of our staff team and Board of Directors are current or former carers themselves, so we understand the reality of caring.

Our Staff

Anne Connolly

Operations Manager

Anne has overall responsibility for delivery and development of our services for carers, including managing our amazing team.

Much of Anne’s work is focussed on ensuring we can continue to offer the support carers tell us they need. This includes leading on evaluation, monitoring and income generation.

Daniel Cooke

Carer Support and Admin Coordinator

Daniel first became involved with MCF many years ago when he accessed our support as a young carer. This led to him volunteering with us, and later becoming a paid member of staff.

Ian Coxon

Management Information and Carer Support Service Coordinator

Ian leads on data management, but also works closely with carers as a member of the Carer Support Service team.  Ian is committed to ensuring that carers are offered opportunities to meet up with other carers to share experiences and knowledge, but never forgetting those carers who may be experiencing isolation and not always able to leave the person they care for.

Hannah Kennedy

Carer Support Service Coordinator

Hannah is passionate about supporting carers to improve their quality of life. A former health coach and crisis worker, she has extensive experience over several years providing support to people going through difficult situations.

Steve O’Connor

South Manchester Locality Coordinator

Steve became part of the Manchester Carers Forum team at the beginning of December 2020. Before joining the team, Steve had worked in adult social care for over 25 years as a social worker, developing policy, training staff, community work and inspecting care homes and home care.

Afara Welch

Finance Officer

Afara is an accounting professional with over ten years experience in the field. She brings this expertise to manage MCF’s accounts on a day-to-day basis and provides advice to our Board of Directors.

David Williams

Chief Officer

Dave has overall responsibility, together with the Board of Directors, for the management of MCF and the development of strategy. A carer himself, Dave provides strong and clear leadership.

Board of Directors

Steven Bonham – Grant

Steven is our newest Director and brings his expertise as a solicitor to the Board.

Denise Chow

Denise has been a Director for many years, and has brought her personal insight as a parent carer into her role.

Mike Lake

Mike has overall view of the Forum’s finances, both now and looking towards the future. Mike spent most of his earlier life in Essex until moving to Cheshire in his banking career.

David Laughlin

David has over 25 years of experience and has worked in the Lloyds and North American insurance risk markets.

Catherine Lowe

Catherine was a young carer for her late mum, and she has cared for another family member who has mental health problems and substance misuse for several years.

Gaynor Morgan

Gaynor is Chair of our Board. Having been a carer for nearly 40 years, caring for family members with mental health problems and substance misuse, she is well versed in the needs of carers.

Sara Radcliffe

Sara has held senior executive roles within the NHS including Accountable Officer and Director of Integrated Health and Care Strategy for over 30 years, most recently in Greater Manchester.

David Tindall

Since he left university in 2010, David has worked in the property sector, and run a number of businesses.