Eric arrived from his native France in 1996 and moved to Ipswich in 1999 after getting a degree in history of film and photography from the Manchester Metropolitan University. Eric is an avid collector of vinyls and attends too many gigs for his own good. His other passions include foreign language cinema, independent documentaries, photography, archery and growing his own vegetables. He is the proud owner of a large allotment which has provided bountiful of fresh produce for the last 15 years.
Eric has spent 25 years with manufacturing companies (packaging and mechanical engineering) in roles including production planning, procurement, supply chain and project management. He was given a fantastic opportunity to get involved with local charities and was keen to join the board of trustees of ICM to support in any way he could.
Eric Philbert
Doug is passionate about all things people related in an organisation and has 20+ years’ experience in HR across a variety of sectors and industries gained in a mix of both in house and consultancy roles.
He’s looking forward to using that experience to benefit ICM so they get the best out of all their people and create a great employee and volunteer experience.
Doug Betts
Meet Daniel, in his own words; "I come from a family with 10 children, I am a gypsy and I like to help people. Life sometimes is difficult so it may be hard to advance in professional or material plans, but if you believe in what you do you will succeed, it doesn’t mean how hard it is, it matters how much you believe in you. Learn to be brave, trust in you and do not forget to help others."
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” 1 Corinthians 16:13
Daniel works for the Charity Organization Roma Support Group, which has among other things helped people to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. He mainly works with homeless, Gypsies and Romani people, and since he started this job in 2019 he has supported more than 450 vulnerable people to register under EU Settlement Schemes. He says "doing this job I gained experience and confidentiality in working with vulnerable people". Daniel is also pursuing a course in “Health and Social Care” at the University of Bedfordshire,
Daniel Banceanu
Mayuri migrated to the UK in 1995 and is by profession an accountant, currently working in the NHS. You may also know Mayuri from the local corner shop she and her husband have been running in Ipswich for the past 30 years. As if two jobs weren't enough Mayuri is a passionate volunteer and holds roles in multiple local organisations and groups, including as Vice Chair of the Ipswich Hindu Samaj, Chair at Ipswich Gujurati School and a Trustee at Faith and Spirituality Network Suffolk and Ipswich Faith & Community Forum. Mayuri also sits on the national Hindu Forum Britain's steering committing for Environmental Management for Climate Change. She can also be found working with many other community groups including the Ipswich and East Alliance Multicultural - Inequalities Forum and the #WhatAreWeMissing? Group. Mayuri has a strong passion for working for, and with, her local community and voluntary sector groups. Mayuri's special interests include education and health among our local communities.
Mayuri Patel
Meg is a Sociology graduate, currently working as Admin and Referrals Coordinator for local charity Suffolk Rape Crisis. She has recently embarked on a Masters degree in 'Understanding Domestic violence and Sexual Abuse' and is a proud feminist. Meg is passionate about empowering young people and supporting the community of Ipswich in her role as Trustee.
Megan Sheppard
Having spent the greater part of her working life in the field of secretarial and admin posts within the Private Sector, Civil Service and Local Government, Ginny joined Suffolk Constabulary in a civilian role in 2004. From 2008 to 2018, she was a PCSO working within the Ipswich Central Team in and around Westgate ward. Ginny was initially match funded between Suffolk CC and Suffolk Constabulary to be the dedicated PCSO for the Norwich Road area of Westgate Ward, working towards building relationships with, and gaining the trust of, local traders and residents. Before recently retiring,
The final two and half years of her time with Suffolk Constabulary was spent in a non-uniform role as Diverse Communities Advisor. The role included providing additional support to all vulnerable victims of crime, continuing to build bridges and relationships with Police, and raising awareness of Hate Crime.
Ginny has been recognised for her community links over the years, including Police Person of the Year in 2017 at the Stars of Suffolk Awards, and a BEM for Services to Policing in the 2018 New Year Honours.
Ginny Shoesmith
Don spent a career in industry, starting with Unilever, a global consumer products company and then working in foods, electronics, entertainment and manufacturing companies in several countries. He was a Director of Redland plc from 1994 – 1998 and Thorn EMI from 1982 until 1990, and has been a director of German and Japanese companies.
Don was Chairman and co-founder of two successful consultancies: YSC Ltd., the leading business psychology consultancy and Value Partnership LLP, a successful organisation and strategy consultancy. He is currently chair of Ipswich Community Ventures CIC, which supports social enterprise in Suffolk, and through ICV works as coach and adviser to a wide range of community development projects. Don's interests are business research, social enterprise, writing, growing vegetables, sailing, flying, and a website, www.havingtheircake.com, dedicated to publicising better ways for enterprise to serve the public interest.
Don Young
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Gulshan works as a successful school improvement partner and education consultant, having been a teacher, a senior school leader, a senior Local Education Authority Officer and an Ofsted inspector. Gulshan is passionate about developing the aspirations and talents of our young people and her work in education is aimed at making sure that all leave school with worthwhile experiences and qualifications. Her interest in ICM stems from her passion to promote the integration of diverse communities and to unlock our young people’s creativity enabling them to thrive personally and professionally. Gulshan has had significant involvement in local communities across Suffolk having chaired Suffolk Police Authority, worked with health and been a trustee at Suffolk Community Foundation. She is keen to support and promote the work our communities and volunteers undertake to improve the lives and opportunities for local people, especially young people.
Gulshan Kayembe
ICM Charity Trustees
Operations Director
Most of Nikki’s work occurs behind the scenes at ICM, looking after the Operations and Marketing.
When she’s not at ICM, Nikki can be found larking about with her giant labradoodle Charlie or busy with a spot of feminist campaigning.
Nikki Packham
Integration Team Director / Co-Founder
Prachi leads the Integration Team, the ESOL (English teaching for speakers of other languages) branch of ICM. Alongside the brilliant team of admin staff, committed tutors and amazing volunteers, Prachi manages and coordinates the delivery of ESOL classes for the diverse migrant communities of Ipswich.
Prachi Katdare
Director / Co-Founder
Bruce is, as he calls it, ‘the very lucky’ director of ICM and feels very privileged to work with such an amazing group of people.
Bruce has many (many) years toiling away in the 3rd sector but has never been happier or more proud to work with such a dedicated, committed and lovable group of staff and volunteers. It continues to be an amazing experience.
Bruce MacGregor
Directors
Administrator
Jenoba is originally from Tamil Nadu in India, having moved to the UK in 2017 with her husband and two daughters. Jenoba has a Masters degree in Biotechnology, but after moving to the UK and looking to pursue further career opportunities began volunteering journey with ICM in 2022. Of her time volunteering Jenoba says "The volunteering opportunity with ICM significantly helped me to open up, communicate well with others and grow in confidence. I drew immense happiness when helping people in need and being able to teach those values about caring for others to my children." Passionate about learning, Jenoba has completed CACHE Level 2 course on Support Worker in Schools and Colleges at Suffolk New College, Ipswich.
Jenoba Babal
Administrator
Banhi is a science graduate from India. She arrived in Ipswich with her husband and daughter way back in 2016 and has been volunteering for ICM for the last couple of years. Banhi is one of our Community Champions and was awarded Runner Up for Volunteer of The Year award in 2021. Of her time at ICM Banhi says "It has been a wonderful experience so far working as a volunteer and now I am very excited to join in as a member of staff of the Integration team at ICM."
Banhimitra Ghosh
Administrator for Learners
Elizangela, or Li, is from Portugal and joined ICM as a student, learning English with our Integration Team. Li also volunteers as a Community Champion supporting friends and neighbours with everyday tasks like translation. Li is very smiley and loves meeting new people, making friends and spending time by the sea.
Elizangela Freitas
Administrator for Learners and Volunteers
After moving to the UK from Algeria in 2017 Selma started her journey with ICM as a student, learning English with our Integration Team. As her confidence grew she went on to volunteer in the classroom to help other learners and became one of ICM’s Community Champions. Selma won ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award in 2021 in recognition of her work with ICM.
Selma Guelil
Maternity Project Co-ordinator
Monika's journey with ICM started when she attended English classes with us. Monika then went on to become a Volunteer and Community Champion and has now joined the staff team as our Maternity Project Coordinator. Monika feels strongly that people are her greatest passion. Being with them, spending time with them, helping them and celebrating life with them all make Monika happy.
Outside of work Monika is a happy wife and proud mum of a brilliant daughter and an amazing son. When she gets time for a break, which doesn't happen too often, Monika loves to spend time with a good crime book or indulging in a new embroidery project.
Monika Puchala
Esol Tutor
Naz started her journey with ICM last year by volunteering with our South Street Kids project. This year she began to support adult learners with English classes too, and over the summer she qualified as a 'Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages'. Naz says she is "excited to be putting this to good use with some online tutoring this term."
Outside of ICM Naz provides English Literature lessons to primary and secondary school pupils, and her favourite pastimes include writing poetry, creating artwork and taking photos!
Naz Abulkhairi
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ESOL Tutor
Jo has been teaching ESOL at ICM since 2019. Jo trained at Colchester Institute and has a diverse professional background, but she's most fulfilled when working with creative and supportive people. She says "Happily, the ICM family is full of them."
In her freetime Jo enjoys camping, walking with her dog and exploring the Essex coastline.
Jo Elphick
ESOL Tutor
Jo has worked for ICM since September 2018. Prior to this she worked at Colchester Institute for 19 years as an ESOL and EFL tutor and Teacher Trainer. She is a mother to three daughters and a proud nanny to two grandsons. In her spare time she loves to garden and walk in the local countryside.
Jo Richardson
Lead ESOL Tutor / Co-Founder
Linda has been an ESOL tutor for approximately 25 years and has worked at ICM since it launched in 2015.
Linda loves working here and feels extremely privileged to work in the company of so many dedicated and truly amazing people! In her spare time, she loves going for long walks and listening to music- although her real passion is for reading, Linda reckons she owns so many books she could start a bookshop!
Linda Vines
Integration Team Coordinator / Co-Founder
Anjali has been with ICM since its inception and is now working as the Integration team Coordinator and DBS officer.
She says about the role; “I greatly enjoy working with the fabulous team of admins, tutors and wonderful team of volunteers and community champions, ensuring smooth running of all our projects.”
Anjali also deputises the Integration team director in Prachi's absence.
Anjali Sule
Integration Team
Administrator
Snehal is from Pune, India, but more recently moved from Belgium to Ipswich in 2022 with her husband and two children.
Snehal has a Masters in Computer Science and speaks French, as well as English and has always enjoyed being sociable and making friends from diverse communities.
Snehal joins the Integration team as an Administrator after having been a volunteer in our ESOL classes for a year. Of her time at ICM Snehal says "I’m very delighted and finding myself contributing to the society and it gives me huge satisfaction. The volunteering at ICM helped me to find new opportunities and gave exposure in different areas”.
As if all this wasn't enough Snehal also teaches in the Kumon classes on the weekends and is a committee member of ‘Ipswich Marathi Mandal’, actively participating in local and charitable community events.
Snehal More
Service Development
In his Service Development role, Ben works to develop existing projects and cultivate new opportunities for ICM.
Ben has worked in media, advertising, tech and education. He currently wears a few hats, including being a course tutor, social designer, sweetspot hunter and director at HealthWatch Suffolk.
Ben lives with ADHD which ignited his interest in cognitive and cultural diversity. His work explores the hidden traits, values and viewpoints that influence who we are, how we think and why we act.
Ben hopes for a future where everyone has opportunities to thrive and believes community, creativity and education can take us there.
Beyond work he can be found feeding ducks, growing food, playing racketball with pensioners and listening to music from the Detroit & Berlin techno scene.
Ben Miller
Social Media and Web Officer
Jack (he/they) started his journey with ICM as a volunteer, using his art & design skills and helping out at events. He now runs the ICM website and social media accounts, as well as doing other marketing related activities such as designing posters and graphics.
Outside of work he enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his pets.
Jack Bennett
Finance Assistant
Liudmyla’s journey with ICM started at CSV in 2013. She came to Ipswich from Ukraine to be with her husband who was working in the UK. It gave Liudmyla the chance to learn a new language, experience a new culture, and make new friends.
Outside of work Liudmyla loves gardening and has her own allotment.
Liudmyla says “I am honoured to be part of the team now and I am very thankful to Ritu for the opportunity she has given me. I am still learning from Ritu and I am very glad that I can help with the financial work as I learn.
Liudmyla
Administrator / Research
Peter is adept at finding simple solutions that really work (since about 1965) and brings with him 16 years of experience in the tax office.
He is often called upon to make sense of apparently random number sequences or to proofread the stream-of-consciousness prose style of Bruce whilst researching and evaluating material for future bids.
Peter Tetley
Finance Manager / Co-Founder
As well as being ICM’s Finance Officer, Ritu is also pursuing her CIMA qualification (The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) and is a qualified Management accountant with vast experience of the financial domain.
Ritu is accountable for the day to day Finance Management activities carried out in the organisation, helping to manage the accounts and budgets of the various projects running throughout the organisation.
Ritu Srivastava
Operations
Youth Consultant
Mark has over 25 years’ experience in Youth and Community work, as an expert in Informal Learning and Critical Theory. He works locally, regionally, nationally and internationally where he helps curate innovative cultures of practise.
Mark maintains his commitment to working as a grassroots activist, stimulating change and transformation in young people and wider communities. Mark is a Director of his own company, Community PRAXIS set up in 2016 whose mission is to support Third Sector Organisations and Communities to develop a critical lens in advancing participatory approaches in fostering cohesive and connected communities.
Mark Straw
Associate Artist
Laura is a Director and Filmmaker and is proud to be Associate Artist at ICM working with the South Street Kids – celebrating identity and exploring the world through creativity and play. Laura also supports the marketing team in telling the story of the great work that ICM do.
Being a true Suffolk girl, she started off as a youth worker, naturally moving to creative practitioner for the New Wolsey Theatre, Cambridge Junction and Roundhouse, Camden making Theatre, Film & Music in schools & special education provisions across London and the East.
Laura Norman
Pass It On Collective Volunteer Coordinator
Michelle has joined the team at ICM to help build creative and media skills and create opportunities for Phoenix Project community members as part of the Equity in Mind funded 'Pass It On Collective' partnership.
With community arts and media roots in Ipswich stemming from the Venue for Ipswich Campaign, the very first iteration of Ipswich Community Radio and the Word magazine, Michelle has worked on development and production of creative and media projects, workshops and events for ehem 'quite a few years now'. She also works as artist facilitator for the Phoenix Project's True Thoughts group and is growing an arts practice that's focussed on supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Michelle Brace
Music Tutor
Georgie is a local singer/songwriter, who has been songwriting and performing for over 5 years. She is passionate about music, especially within her community, helping to support and build up other artists and musicians along the way! She is a seasoned performer who has performed at a wide range of venues, most notably a sold out Printworks London show and supporting Children of Zeus at the Baths. Georgie loves collaborating and sharing her passion for music with others, and has always enjoyed working with young people as shown through her work over the past couple of years as a nursery nurse
As a new addition to ICM, Georgie is hoping to encourage and enable young musicians to learn new skills and feel confident in whichever area of music they wish to pursue.
Georgie Allen
Music Tutor
Joni (she/her) is a queer, trans electronica producer, DJ and musician. She also plays guitar, bass and violin. She says “music has always been a big part of my life” from playing in swing, jazz and punk bands to now DJing for the queer community in Ipswich.
Joni Bendall
Music tutor
Gil is a musician/ tutor at ICM, with his main expertise in music performance & music production.
"It is a pleasure to be a part of ICM, as it gives me a platform to teach and assist talented young musicians!"
Gil Walters
Music tutor
As a music tutor Emile's main experience is in Music production, beat making and composition.
"I've pretty much been involved with music since a young child. Most of my time is spent on learning new skills to help further provide for the young people I work with."
Emile Augustus Brooks
Music Tutor
Carnell has always been passionate about music, but only started to consider a career in it when he went to study music at Ipswich Institute 15 years ago. During his studies, he formed an alternative rock band as well as creating a seven piece hip hop collective.
With over 15 years’ experience, and having dipped his toes in various musical fields, Carnell hopes to bring his passion and vast knowledge of music to the New Gen team and help the next generation of musicians flourish and grow.
Carnell Cook
Music Tutor
Ben is a social musician and composer based in Manningtree. He is passionate about music making in all settings and with all groups of people. He believes everybody is musical and that anyone can make music with anyone else, and is privileged to be able to facilitate this process; it is a source of unending inspiration and enjoyment.
Ben Brown
Youth Support Worker
Alongside his role with South Street Kids Ramon loves playing guitar and volunteering at South Street, whether it's at gigs, on the bar or stage management for bands.
On top of this Ramon is an active member of our New Gen group! In his spare time Ramon makes music and hopes one day to make it as a producer.
Ramon Bradshaw Logan
South Street Kids Support Worker
Sophie is a New Gen alumni and now volunteers with both South Street Kids and New Gen. She also delivers on ICM and Handford Hall’s ‘Creative Club as well as volunteering with Out Loud Music’s iRock on Saturdays too. Sophie brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to everything she does. Sophie also goes by ‘Sophie The Great’ (you may have seen her gracing a stage or two in and around the Ipswich music scene) and is an incredible singer-songwriter.
Sophie Tomlin
South Street Kids Session Leader
Tulani is passionate about helping others reach their full potential and if it involves being creative too then she says she will most definitely be there. Tulani believes that sharing our own experiences and listening and communicating with one another is what our community needs. She says "Positivity and creativity all the way!!"
Tulani Cook
Project Co-ordinator / Music Tutor
Kristin is trained as a community music leader and helps run singing workshops in Ipswich and Lowestoft. Alongside this, Kristin also works with South Street Kids, New Gen and Making Waves projects on a weekly basis, helping young people in the local area gain skills and confidence within music and media. She’s also a successful singer/songwriter, having notably performed on the final night of Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour.
Kristin Caswell-Robinson
Project Manager
Helen has a variety of experience from working across the private, public and third sectors in project, programme and finance management.
Outside of work Helen would love to have the super power of being fluent in all languages including non-spoken ones, so that she could communicate with anyone in the world! Some things she enjoys when she’s not working are free dancing and being outside in nature, or free dancing outside in nature. Some of Helen’s favourite special interests are psychology, child development and trauma recovery.
Helen Aldcroft
