Staff team

Lisa joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in July 2019 after 5 years working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Jewish Care. Prior to this, Lisa worked as a consultant for charities, housing associations, social enterprises and government bodies primarily focused on housing and social care.

Lisa said “I love the variety of the role; I can spend a morning in a finance and audit meeting, the afternoon in one of our developments talking to tenants and that same evening be attending a fundraising event to raise much needed funds for JBD. I love being busy and challenged and this role ensures I am.”

Time outside of work is spent on Lisa’s other jobs; taxi driver, chef and tutor to her children. She also loves to swim and spending time with family having fun days out and adventures.

E: lisa@jbd.org

After working at Women’s Pioneer Housing for just over 6 years, Aidan joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2021. Aidan brings with him a wealth of experience in the housing sector as well as specific experience in managing sheltered housing schemes.

Before Aidan started working in the housing sector, he was a professional actor and was in a run of different stage shows. “Being an actor was brilliant but I never quite got the stability that I needed. I reached a point when I was in my early 30’s where I thought I needed to so something else. Whatever I did, I wanted to make sure it was something that helps people. I found temp work with Barnet Homes and after being there a few weeks, I thought that the housing sector as a whole was the kind of area I could work in. This was now 11 years ago.”

Outside of work, Aidan has two children and enjoys films, music and a spot of DJ’ing.

E: aidan@jbd.org

Amanda joined JBD in 2018 having worked previously for many years in the travel industry as well as in retail for a high-end jeweller. Amanda is main contact for all the repairs and maintenance required around all JBD properties and communal areas. She co-ordinates with all outside contractors that carryout works within our buildings and she looks after the maintenance team, caretaker and minibus drivers.

She said the best thing about her role is being involved in the bigger projects that make huge improvements to our properties and the facilities that we offer. “I really like the feeling of ‘helping’ numerous people on a daily basis. I love the people I work with and I have never worked with colleagues that care so much about what they do.”

Outside of work, Amanda loves to shop and going to the theatre. She also loves spending time with friends and family and her dog.

E: amanda@jbd.org

Daniel joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2009 and brings a wealth of experience in the property industry having worked as a property dealer, developer and manager. He said: “my role allows me to oversee the entire process of property development from site acquisition, to design and construction through to housing new tenants and seeing new communities forming. Seeing our developments filled with tenants and enhancing the standards of our existing buildings is very satisfying.”

Daniel also oversees all maintenance and planned works to the Charity’s properties and is also the Charity’s Head of Health & Safety. Daniel is a keen guitarist and interested in photography when he isn’t focused on property development.

E: daniel@jbd.org

Hemant has previously worked for a range of not-for-profit organisations including charities for people with learning disabilities, a school and a non-departmental government body. He joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2016 and manages the finances of the organisation.

He said the best part of his role is “job satisfaction; knowing that we provide a unique service and what we do makes a real difference to the quality of life of our tenants. I like working with a caring, supportive and friendly staff team.”

Outside of work, Hemant can often be found cycling.

E: hemant@jbd.org

Miriam manages the Tenancy Support Advisors and the Community Engagement Team who work closely to support tenants. Miriam started at Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2009 as a Tenancy Support Administrator and quickly become a Tenancy Support Advisor before becoming Head of Tenancy Support.
When asked about the best part of her role, Miriam said: “seeing my team’s achievements is very rewarding as well as working with them to gain them. My role can be challenging but I feel appreciated and respected and I like problem solving.”

Outside of work, Miriam enjoys spending time with her granddaughters, going for long walks, reading and watching Netflix.

E: miriam@jbd.org

Rachel joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in May 2020. She brings 18 years of fundraising experience within the Jewish charity sector including working at Jami, UJS and the Movement for Reform Judaism.

Her role is to oversee the team and fundraise for future developments and projects within our current developments. When asked what the best part about her role is, Rachel said: “Raising lots of money is great, but also I like that no two days are the same and there is huge variety in my job.”

When Rachel isn’t focused on fundraising, she can often be found walking her dog, going to the gym or out with friends.

E: rachel@jbd.org

Yvonne is responsible for all human resources issues in the organisation as well as supporting the chief executive on various special projects.

Yvonne is a seasoned HR Professional, having worked in the NHS, private, public and the charity sectors for over 20 years.

E: yvonne@jbd.org

Natasha joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in May 2020. Her role is to manage JBD’s Marketing, Communications and PR. She brings with her a wealth of experience in marketing and communications for both other Jewish charities and a housing association.

Natasha said “I love the variety of the role, having the opportunity to meet tenants and hearing their stories and working to increase awareness of who we are and what we do.”

E: natasha@jbd.org

Talia joined Jewish Blind & Disabled with a wealth of fundraising experience from working for nearly 15 years in the charity sector.

Talia said: “Seeing how Jewish Blind & Disabled turns the lives around of people in the community with disabilities is inspiring, and it’s all thanks to the generosity of individuals, families and Trusts who believe in what we do and offer their support.”

Outside of work, Talia volunteers at her local Food Bank and mentor’s young adults with learning disabilities.

E: talia@jbd.org

Tami joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2010 after working for several other charities in fundraising and administration. She is in charge of processing donations and ensuring the fundraising database is kept up to date.

Tami enjoys the fast pace and variety in the work and she said: “I like the family feel amongst colleagues and the satisfaction in knowing you are helping others who need it.”

Outside of work, Tami is very into fitness and loves doing anything creative.

E: tami@jbd.org

Yael joined JBD in 2016 having previously worked in Property Management and Nursing and Care Homes. She oversees all payments and assists where needed in the Finance department.

Yael said: “I like using my accounting and bookkeeping experience for a greater good. Being able to do this work for a charity gives me a lot of joy and I’m passionate about local Jewish Charities and volunteering.”

When she isn’t working, she loves to travel and enjoys walking in the sun.

E: yael@jbd.org

Having worked in many administrator roles previously, Laurie joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2011. She started as a Tenancy Support Administrator and is now in our Human Resources team.

Laurie said “the best thing about my role is the rapport/ contact with people. I like the people I work with and I feel really good about what the charity does – the help we provide for people that need us.”

Outside of work, Laurie enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, baking, reading and visiting friends and family. Laurie is American but has been living in England for longer than she lived in America.

E: laurie@jbd.org

Linda joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2022 after working at Jewish Care as a Community Support Worker for 22 years.

Linda said: “I am enjoying my new role and the challenges that it brings.  In particular, I am excited to watch the progress of the new development – Ephraim Court – due for completion in 2024.”

Linda’s role is to support tenants across all developments. This includes supporting tenants when they move in and applying for Welfare Benefits that they maybe eligible for.

Outside of work, Linda enjoys going to the Theatre and spending time with her family and friends.

E: linda@jbd.org

Keren joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2009 having previously worked as a social worker for Jewish Care.  Keren brought her experience and skills to the role of Tenancy Support Advisor where she advised and supported tenants on a range of matters. She also managed our Independent living Advisory Service, which support members of the community with aids and adaptations.

In September 2022, she moved on to her new role as Lettings Coordinator.  Drawing on her wealth of experience, Keren oversees all applications, conducts home visits to assess suitability and manages our voids flats. She guides applicants through our application process, supporting and enabling them to achieve their goal of living independently in a JBD mobility apartment.

Outside of work, Keren loves walking and making the most of the sun.

E: keren@jbd.org

Toni has spent more than 10 years working in the charity sector. Prior to joining JBD in 2023, she previously worked at a children’s bereavement charity and as a mental health practitioner for a mental health charity. Toni is passionate about empowering individuals living with disabilities or sight loss to maintain independence in their own homes.

Outside of work Toni enjoys staying active through exercise, reading, attending music festivals, and going to the theatre.

Simone joined JBD in 2015 as a Community Engagement Manager and she works closely with the 3 developments in North East London. She previously worked in a range of roles from selling theatre and concert tickets to working in the marketing department of The Daily Telegraph.

Simone said: “the best thing about my role is engaging with tenants on a daily basis. I feel lucky I’ve been able to get to know so many tenants over the years who express their views honestly, are extremely funny and always show a genuine interest in me and my life. You get to know tenants on a personal level which makes it feel more than just a job.”

Outside of work, Simone is a self-confessed shopaholic and can often be found trawling through Amazon for the latest buys.

E: simone@jbd.org

Louise joined JBD in 2019 as the Community Engagement Assistant having previously worked in Human Resources for a multinational company and in other HR roles previously.

Louise now loves working for a Jewish charity and her role is to provide support the Community Engagement Managers as well as liaising with volunteers.

She said the best part about her role is “working with the team, tenants and our volunteers on a daily basis.”

E: louise@jbd.org

Karen recently joined JBD in January 2022 after 10 years running a busy property inventory company. She said: “I am working in the property maintenance team and I am looking forward to working with the rest of the team with all they do to help tenants.

Outside of work I love going out to restaurants and theatre with family and friends and trying new recipes when I have some time!”

E: kclements@jbd.org

Charles joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in November 2020 as a Minibus Driver and as part of the Maintenance Team.
Charles said: “the best thing about my role is the variety of work. I enjoy interacting with the tenants when taking them on shopping trips and supporting the building maintenance. Working for JBD, there is a strong community feel and all the staff are a pleasure to work with.”

Outside of work Charles enjoys spending time with family, travelling and cooking.

John joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2019 working as part of our maintenance team. When asked what the best thing about his role is, he said he likes working with the rest of the maintenance team.

“My previous jobs started as a coal miner in 1980 to 1990 (apart from a year off for ” The Strike”), since then I have been mainly in housing maintenance also worked as a handyman and occasional carer in a care home and as a Facility Assistant in a Santander Head Office.”

Michael joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in September 2023.

Robert joined Jewish Blind & Disabled in 2013 as the minibus driver for the 3 buildings in North East London. He takes tenants on weekly shopping trips in our accessible minibus.

He said: “my job is incredibly rewarding and satisfying. I feel I am part of a team that is very supportive and is always there for me. The tenants make every day so interesting and enjoyable.”

Robert enjoys playing tennis at his local club, going to concerts, playing guitar and walking his sheepdog.