ABBAS, data manager The numbers tell a really interesting story. The charity has grown steadily to meet a growing need, and we can show how our approach is working. Expand Abbas manages all income and expenditure along with the data in relation to guests, volunteers and donors. Recently described as the "beating heart of the charity", Abbas is the name you will hear in the office when someone is asking for help.
ALICIA, fundraising manager (trusts and foundations) I’ve been really fortunate to see the impact of Glass Door’s work from different angles – as a volunteer, an overnight worker and as a member of the office team. I’m delighted now to be helping raise the vital funds we need to support those most in need. Expand Since 2005, Alicia Feetham has volunteered regularly in the night shelters one night a week. In the winter of 2018, she joined the staff as a member of the overnight shelter team in Richmond. As well as over 12 years' experience in the fundraising sector, Alicia boasts extensive knowledge of children's literature, speaks fluent French and is well-versed in African textiles. Alicia now looks after our valuable relationships with trusts and foundations, helping to raise vital funds for Glass Door's front-line programs. As a part-time member of staff, Alicia is usually in the office Tuesdays to Fridays. email: [email protected]
ANDREW, caseworker Everyone at Glass Door is knowledgeable, respectful and dedicated. That’s what makes it a special place to work. Expand Andrew joined Glass Door as a caseworker in November 2020. Living in the US city of Seattle, Washington, Andrew recalls feeling it was mere luck that separated his situation from that of the local rough sleeping population. Andrew worked at a homeless shelter in Seattle before moving to the UK and continuing as a caseworker, most recently at Ace of Clubs. In his role at Glass Door, Andrew helps guests address challenges that are preventing them from meeting their potential and assists them into safe and secure housing. When he isn’t busy helping others, Andrew enjoys reading non-fiction books and watching documentary films. He also has a passion for dissonant music.
ANNA, migrant project manager Everyone has the right to live with dignity and respect, and access to secure and stable housing are important components. We can and must do better as a society, but until then, Glass Door catches people who have fallen through the safety net. Expand Anna Yassin leads on advice and advocacy for undocumented migrants and those with no recourse to public funds. She co-coordinates the Women’s Group, a weekly drop in for homeless and vulnerably housed self-identifying women. Anna has a Master of Law with distinction in Human Rights from Birkbeck, University of London and is fluent in both English and Polish.
BOGUSLAW, joint head of casework Glass Door services are open-access, meaning no one is excluded just because of where they are from or what their life may have been. Our guests are already on the margins, and if we don’t help them, no one will. Expand Boguslaw Szewczyk looks after guests in the Wandsworth circuit, using his language skills and experience to help individuals find a way back into housing. He came to the UK in the 90s for a master’s degree in Post-Colonial studies at Goldsmith’s College and went on to become a researcher at Choice International. While taking on a second job as an overnight project worker for Glass Door, he met his future fiancée Karina and found a passion for working with the homeless, which led to his appointment in 2012 as a caseworker. A qualified FA coach, Boguslaw has also led teams of staff, volunteers and guests in footballing training sessions.
CHANDNI, tenancy support caseworker Everyone has the right to better themselves and their situation. This charity gives everyone that opportunity and treats individuals fairly. Expand Chandni Patel joined the team in April 2019 as a tenancy support caseworker. Chandni's job involves keeping in touch with guests who have been housed to help make sure they stay in accommodation. Before joining Glass Door, she was as an outreach worker and helped link rough sleepers to resources in the boroughs of Brent and Harrow. In her spare time, Chandni enjoys watching Bollywood films and performs as a Bollywood dancer at events.
CHARLIE, communications officer Safe and stable housing is a human right and I'm proud to work with such warm and compassionate experts and advocates. Expand Charlie is the Communications Officer at Glass Door and has been working in the homelessness charity communications sector for over four years. She oversees our social media, website, content and graphic design. In her spare time she is a sculptor, film geek and a volunteer graphic designer. email [email protected]
CORIN, volunteering manager I am proud to work for an organisation that supports some of the most marginalised people, and where volunteers play a really valuable role in making that possible. Expand Corin joined Glass Door in July 2020 after working in volunteer engagement for Prostate Cancer UK and managing projects in Ghana for International Citizen Service. She ensures our volunteers’ experience with us is the best it can be by honing our training, supporting night shelter volunteers and finding new volunteer opportunities. Last year Corin trained as a mental health first aider and brings skills in empathy and sensitivity to the role. When she isn’t running the London marathon or catching the latest play at the West End, Corin enjoys swimming in Hampstead Heath’s ponds. She also has a pet tortoise called Tonks.
ELLIE, fundraising manager (events, community and corporate) I was drawn to Glass Door partly because of its open access policy. Everyone should have the chance to find a warm welcome and access support when they need it most. Expand Ellie organises Glass Door’s fundraising events, including the annual Sleep Out, and oversees community fundraising and corporate support. She is motivated by making a positive impact on the world, which is why she has worked in the charity sector her whole career. After the hectic build up to an event, Ellie finds it rewarding to sit back and take stock, knowing that her hard work will make a difference to someone else’s life. In her spare time, Ellie is a keen pub quizzer, enjoys cooking up a storm in the kitchen (with mixed results) and loves travelling.
GEMMA, senior caseworker I am inspired by the creativity in the world and how even in a time of climate change, political unrest and utter turmoil there is always hope. There are solutions to be found when we work together. Expand Gemma joined Glass Door in September 2019 as a caseworker in Richmond. She received a BA in History from the University of York and then a Graduate Diploma in Law from City, University of London. After years of experience at a Legal Aid Firm and charities including Hopscotch Asian Women's Centre, Haringey Migrant Centre and the Upper Room, Gemma noticed people falling through the cracks of the system. She became inspired to make a difference long term and change the system which allows for entrenched homelessness. In her spare time, Gemma enjoys international cuisine, classic films and playing the piano.
GEOFF, operations manager What appeals to me most about Glass Door is that it is open to everyone. That allows us to support individuals who can't find help anywhere else. Expand Geoff Ball is responsible for the day by day running of the night shelters and is the first point of contact for all issues related to shelter logistics and operations. Before starting with Glass Door in 2011, Geoff had volunteered for many years with homeless charities alongside a day job in publishing. Geoff says he now relishes being able to put his operational skills to work helping others find solutions to end their homelessness. Behind a calm demeanour lies a secret adrenaline junkie: Geoff has logged multiple hours jumping out of planes.
JOE, caseworker The one thing I would like to change is the notion of ‘us’ vs ‘them’. I believe diversity adds spice to humanity and should be celebrated! Expand Before joining Glass Door in October 2018, Joe Tucker worked in a variety of roles supporting vulnerable individuals. He has a degree in Social Anthropology and Criminology and is currently completing a Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Joe says his own life experiences--which include being internally displaced by war and later a refugee in different foreign countries and homeless himself for a period of time--helped solidify his resolve to advocate for homeless and vulnerable people.
JONATHAN, Head of Finance & Resources Glass Door's emphasis on compassion, open access and demonstrable success really inspire me. Expand Jonathan Low joined Glass Door in autumn 2020 after more than 20 years in audit and finance with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Petrofac, a service provider to the energy industry. Prior to this, he graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a 1st class degree in accountancy and economics and qualified as a chartered accountant. When he isn’t juggling finance, human resources, data management and office management for Glass Door, Jonathan is out on the field for Leftfooters, an LGBT football club based in Camden. He also enjoys travel and playing the keyboard.
KIRSTY, fundraising officer I feel incredibly inspired by working for a homeless charity with an open door policy. The funds our supporters raise help people with nowhere else to turn. Expand As the fundraising officer, Kirsty looks after all our wonderful events participants, including marathon runners and triathletes, as well as our fantastic community fundraisers. Kirsty knew from early on that she wanted to work in the charity sector and volunteered for various charities during her time at university. She is motivated by positive social change and the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to live. Outside of work, you’ll either find her watching a show in the West End, at a concert, or reading a good book. If you have an idea for a fundraising event or community project, please contact Kirsty. [email protected]
MATT, head of operations When I joined the team, I was immediately impressed by how committed everyone was to providing the very best service to shelter guests. Expand Two weeks after completing an international mission in Syria in 2017, Matt joined Glass Door as an overnight shelter worker. Then he went on to become a shelter manager and act as the first point of call for the 35 guests staying in Wandsworth. Now Matt brings his expertise in logistics to the role of operations manager, having spent nine months coordinating humanitarian operations in Iraq and six months organising a network of ambulances and a hospital for in Northern Syria. When he isn’t helping plan our shelters, Matt can be found in Brazilian jiu-jitsu training or watching ice hockey.
NEIL, joint head of casework The people we support and their situations are so varied, interesting and stimulating that you cannot get bored. That probably explains why I’ve been at Glass Door for over twelve years. Expand After graduating in 2000 with a degree in classics from Oxford, Neil Parkinson began volunteering at a homeless day centre while studying towards a master’s degree in social work. Jobs at The Connection at St Martin’s and St Mungo’s followed before Neil headed to Australia, where he conducted homeless outreach on the streets of Sydney. Neil returned to the UK in 2007 just as the charity was expanding their services beyond emergency shelter, when he joined to become our first full-time caseworker. Read his profile.
PATRICIA, senior caseworker All my life I have been touched by other people's hard realities. No matter which country I was living in, there were always too many people not getting their share. Expand Patricia Cazenave joined Glass Door in October 2018 as a caseworker based in Wandsworth. After obtaining her undergraduate law degree in Argentina, Patricia went on to gain a Phd in Environmental Law in Spain and a Master’s degree in State Law. Patricia has lived in six different countries and has volunteered in environmental and animal charities including Greenpeace and Healthy Planet. In her free time she likes to dance samba and plays timbao in a Brazilian drumming band.
