Debra Hastings-Henry, Chair – after a long and successful career as a marketing and business consultant and a tech-business owner, Debra now specialises in providing health and nutrition solutions for individuals and companies. She provides advice, guidance and one-to-one support to predominantly BAME communities teaching them to use food to recover naturally from diseases such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. She is a non-executive director of Skipz Productions CIC, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers creativity-based workshops for children in need from primary school years through to secondary education. Skipz also work with housing associations and CAMHS. Debra’s mother is a carer for her dad and has attended several RCSS events. She remains very impressed with the work of RCSS, their undeniable focus on the carers and their team spirit.
Bushra Tahir, Vice Chair - Bushra is a ‘multiple’ carer, caring for her sister and her husband. Bushra has been a member of RCSS for many years. Bushra is also very active in issues of health and social justice in Redbridge and is Chair of Awaaz (Voice of Women), which was created to provide quality services that empower and improve the health of women from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.
Tony Sobers, Trustee – Tony is Director of his own web design company. He had previously helped RCSS with website design. He also has knowledge and experience of IT and database design. As an employer, Tony has knowledge and experience of Human Resources. Tony is not a carer but is interested in carer issues from a health perspective, coming from a family background of nursing.
Barry Bates, Trustee - Barry has been a member of RCSS for some years. He cares for his wife, who has MS. Barry served on the Board of the Redbridge MS Society and is currently the Group Coordinator of this organisation. Barry is also a Trustee of One Place East and has sound management committee experience and skills. Barry is very active in the community, particularly around carers’ and disability rights.
Nicholas C. Hurst,Trustee & Treasurer - Nicholas is a former Redbridge Councillor and founder Trustee of the Kenneth More Theatre; Chairman of the Trustees Frenford Clubs and Patron Redbridge College. Nicholas is a former governor of the North East London (Hospitals) Foundation Trust and also Chairman of the Patient, Public Engagement Forum in Barking & Dagenham. Nicholas recently received the Lord Lieutenant of Essex Keystone Adult Volunteer Award, recognition of more than 60 years voluntary service to youth.
Harbans S. Chahal, Trustee - After his retirement from the University of East London as a Librarian, Harbans wanted to work for the community as he had some spare time and felt he could bring in new ideas. He gained experience working at Age Concern Redbridge (now Age UK Redbridge Barking & Havering) in 2001 in the insurance section where he volunteered for seven years. In 2002, Harbans began volunteering for Refugee and Migrant Forum of East London (RAMFEL), helping refugees. Since 2003, he has been working with Redbridge Equality & Community Council as a volunteer assisting the Harassment officer. Harbans is currently a member of the Redbridge Healthwatch Project Development subgroup. He is a member of the NHS Foundation Trust of East London and completed a 6-week course in Psychological Health in 2009.
Dr Sudarshan Kapur, Trustee – has been a carer for many years. She came to the UK in 1964 and worked in the NHS from then until she retired as a GP in 1998. Sudarshan has been raising funds for Charities in the UK and abroad since 1974. She has been a Yoga teacher for the past 12 years; is Chair of Women’s Interfaith Network, Gants Hill Group for the past 8 years and has been a member of the Older People’s Week Working Group for the past 3 years. In 2011, Sudarshan received an award from the University of East London and the London Borough of Redbridge as Redbridge Asian Women’s Achievement Award. In 2017 Sudarshan won a Certificate of Appreciation for her service and commitment to Yoga, ‘Outstanding Teacher in the Community’. Sudarshan said her interest in becoming a Trustee is because she is impressed by the way RCSS looks after carers and their families.” Sudarshan won a certificate for ‘The Caring of Others’ individual category awarded by the Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr. Linda Huggett. Dr Kapur is delighted and honoured to have been awarded an MBE in the 2020 New Year's Honours List for her work in the community, particularly her inter-faith work.
Madelaine Baker, Trustee – is a former carer and is now an active RCSS volunteer, helping out at events and regular support groups, such as the Older Carers Coffee Morning. Madelaine said she wanted to become a Trustee “to give something back to RCSS.” Madelaine is also a Trustee of the Asian Women’s organisation AWAAZ and a Jewish organisation called WIZO.