Meet The Team

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  • Lesley leads the team and oversees operations, ensuring that Upbeat runs smoothly and efficiently through strategy and development. Before Upbeat, Lesley was the CEO of Rebuild East Midlands, an organisation that supports those who have experienced Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. She is inspired by Upbeat’s community connection. Lesley loves to spend time with her family, read and walk their dog!

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  • Kirsten helps with the communication within Upbeat to their participants, supporters, and volunteers. She is inspired by Upbeat’s ability to make their participants feel worthy and empowered despite the hardships they are facing in their lives. Kirsten joined the Upbeat team after graduating from the University of Derby, where she studied journalism and performed a research project on the threat of misogynistic podcasting on violence towards women online. In her spare time, she loves to read (a lot!), play her guitar, and paint.

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  • Ali supports refugees during their resettlement process in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. Before joining the team, he worked at Refugee Action supporting Ukrainian families with their resettlement journey in Birmingham and Solihull. He loves Upbeat’s commitment to empowering refugees and supporting them to a fresh start in the UK. In his free time, Ali loves to hike in the Peak District and other picturesque places in the UK.

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  • Momo is our catering coordinator, overseeing the kitchen’s operations, ensuring we are meeting food safety standards, and cooking delicious lunches for our participants. Before working at Upbeat, Momo owned her own restaurant in Japan, serving South Indian food! She is inspired by Upbeat’s positive attitude and passion to help asylum seekers and refugees who have been through a difficult time. In her spare time, Momo likes to go for walks in the Peak District and spend time with her husband and grumpy cat!

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  • Lewis is a Refugee Integration Worker, helping new arrivals in and around Derbyshire. Before joining Upbeat, Lewis worked as a housing and support coordinator at Derby City Mission. He is inspired by the warm welcome that Upbeat gives, and our ability to bring smiles to people’s day by creating a caring community. In his free time, Lewis likes to write, play football and help to lead an amazing youth group.

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  • Louise believes that Upbeat Communities empowers refugees and enables the local community to learn about other cultures. Before Upbeat, she worked in retail and finance before studying International Relations, followed by a Masters in Nutrition and Global Health. She loves making clothes, baking and spending time with family.

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  • Michael leads Upbeat Clean, our social enterprise that combines excellent cleaning with life-changing employment for people from refugee backgrounds. Alongside this, he continues to manage Derby Language School. He enjoys working for an organisation that exists to empower and serve people who are in real need, and is passionate about growing Upbeat Clean so it can create more opportunities and impact. Outside of work, Michael loves growing vegetables in his allotment, going for runs, and spending time with his friends and family.

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  • Einir manages a number of our delivery areas along with our resettlement work in Derbyshire & Lincolnshire. She is continually amazed and inspired by the resilience of the participants she gets to meet, and thinks it is an honour to be a part of their lives. Prior to working with Upbeat, Einir worked as a primary school teacher at home and abroad, and more recently, with families at Reach Derby. Her hobbies include walking in the countryside, having coffee with friends, and laughing!

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  • Lauren takes care of all our volunteers, as well as helping local communities understand and engage with the work of Upbeat. Before she joined the team, Lauren did a degree in Theology and spent a few years working for local charities, coordinating volunteers and developing community projects. Lauren is inspired by Upbeat’s desire to see refugees and asylum seekers not only survive but thrive! She enjoys reading a good theological book, trying out new veggie recipes and playing board games.

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  • Steve is our hosting manager overseeing our hosting projects, enabling volunteers open their homes and empower refugees to move out of homelessness. Before Upbeat, Steve worked in IT as an infrastructure engineer. He is inspired by the hope that Upbeat brings – seeing amazing staff, volunteers and participants creating a truly uplifting community. In his spare time, Steve likes to spend time with his wife and three children, walking their dogs, playing the drums and participating in kickboxing!

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  • Grace supports refugee families and individuals to rebuild their lives, and coordinates our weekly Upbeat Women sessions. She thinks it is a privilege to be part of the way Upbeat welcomes, dignifies, and empowers people. She grew up in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where her parents run a non-profit for at-risk women and children, before moving to the US to study International Relations. In her spare time, she likes to hike, read, and experiment with new sourdough or veggie recipes.

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  • Danielle is one of our Refugee Integration Workers, focused on supporting refugee families and individuals to feel confident rebuilding their lives in the UK. Before joining the team at Upbeat, Danielle worked in Events Production freelancing alongside many artists and human rights organisations. Danielle is inspired by Upbeat’s positive attitude towards resettlement in the UK as integration is a huge inspiration to her. She spends her free time playing the drums, painting and surfing where she can!

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  • Maddie inspires and enables people to get involved in our work, through fundraising, events and digital communications. She thinks it is a privilege to work for an organisation that welcomes and values every individual. Before joining the team, she worked for UCCF: The Christian Unions. In her spare time, Maddie loves being creative, especially with watercolour paints.

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  • Sun is our Administration Lead, which means that she offers support to our delivery areas to enhance our ways of working. Before joining the Upbeat team, Sun worked at a financial services company to ensure things ran efficiently, whilst also studying to become a qualified counsellor. Sun is inspired by our sense of compassion and community. In her spare time, she loves to escape into a good film or a new book!

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  • Ben is our Single Point of Contact Pilot Project Lead to establish a simple referral system for all asylum seekers and refugees so they can access relevant organisations across the city that can support them dependent on their needs. Previously to Upbeat, Ben worked as teaching assistant supporting young people with additional needs. He is inspired by the resilience of our participants, coming through dangers and horrors to seek sanctuary in our city, as well as our commitment and support. In his spare time, Ben loves to read, walk and chat with friends over a good coffee.

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  • Milad manages our resettlement team as they support refugees being resettled across Lincolnshire & Derbyshire. He is inspired by the unconditional love, support and hope that Upbeat provides for refugees and asylum seekers, which he received himself when he came to Derby as an asylum seeker in 2016. Before coming to the UK, Milad used to help displaced people in his home country, Syria. He has a degree in Banking and Insurance, and enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and a good game of table tennis.

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  • Ross supports families and individuals - helping them to navigate the complexities of the British system, encouraging them to integrate into their communities, and empowering them to start rebuilding their lives. He’s inspired by the resilience, bravery and kindness of the people he gets to help and feels privileged to be part of their lives. Before joining Upbeat, Ross worked in publishing – editing newspapers and magazines in the motorcycle and adventure arenas. In his spare time, he’s slowly renovating an old house – and when he’s not knocking down walls or sanding floors, you’ll find him knocking up a vegetarian feast, trying to perfect his sourdough loaf, or ambling in the countryside.

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  • Emma provides the practical administrative support we need and working on ways to improve what we do. Before joining the team, she worked in university administration, organising training and events for PhD students. She loves Upbeat’s positive and welcoming environment. In her free time, she enjoys baking, walking her dog anywhere with nice views, and doing tap or ballroom dancing!

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  • Paul is the general manager for our social enterprises, Upbeat Clean and Derby Language School, ensuring the enterprises are both working smoothly and efficiently. Before joining Upbeat, Paul worked as Operations Director for 19 years. Paul is inspired by Upbeat’s positive impact on individuals and their families’ lives, empowering refugees and asylum seekers to thrive in our community. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and, as he says, “an armchair Arsenal fan”.

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  • Elliot manages our integration work, as well as teaching English for Upbeat and Derby Language School. He loves the way Upbeat empowers participants and treats them with dignity, challenging the negativity often associated with refugees in the media. Before joining the team, he spent many years teaching in the UK and abroad. He loves spending time with his family, and is a keen cyclist and ice-cream eater!

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  • Megan oversees our hosting projects that support volunteers to open up their homes, empowering refugees out of homelessness. Before Upbeat she worked with disadvantaged young people to widen participation in university and support career development. Upbeat inspires Megan through its humble approach to supporting the needs of others. In her free time, she enjoys socialising over coffee, playing netball and seeing family.

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  • Rama supports new arrivals, empowering them to integrate in UK communities. Before joining the team, Rama worked as a civil engineer in Syria, her home country. She also enjoyed supporting and volunteering for women's charities in Syria. In her spare time, she likes going to the gym - and was even a champion body builder in Syria in 2020! She loves to spend time with friends and family, and to experience new countries, cultures and foods.

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  • Clayton is one of our Refugee Integration Workers, helping families to feel settled and welcomed. Before working with Upbeat, Clayton worked in primary education. He has been inspired by the sheer resilience of the families that Upbeat supports. In his spare time, Clayton enjoys running, walking his family dog and spending time with his family and friends.

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  • Harry is one of our Refugee Integration Workers helping families and individuals to integrate into their communities and rebuild their lives. Before joining the team, Harry worked as a researcher different NGO's, supporting survivors of Modern Slavery and communities requiring extensive urban development reform. He is inspired by the endurance and resilience of families that we work with. In his spare time, Harry loves to read, go to concerts and studies for his PhD!

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  • Onyinye keeps Upbeat Communities running smoothly by providing the practical administrative and data support we need. Before joining the team, she worked as a Business Analyst in Nigeria. She’s inspired by Upbeat’s commitment to foster a sense of belonging and hope for refugees and asylum seekers. Onyinye likes to read fiction, visit new places and watch movies.

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  • Tanya oversees and coordinates the day-to-day activities of the Enterprises, ensuring things are running efficiently. Before joining the team, she worked in Operations for an Australian recruitment agency. Tanya is inspired by Upbeat’s non-judgemental acceptance and compassion. She enjoys spending time with her partner and dog, and watching football!

Meet Our Trustees

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  • Dave is motivated by the opportunity to make a positive difference to the disadvantaged, especially where that person has been forced to leave the place they've called home. Dave used to work in local manufacturing companies before he and his wife started their own business to help young people further their education and improve their future. Outside of work, he enjoys going to the seaside, but is equally happy gardening and watching live sport.

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  • Helen is passionate about seeing people welcomed into community and supported as they rebuild their lives. She works as a mental health social worker based in a hospital, but before that, she spent many years living and working in Russia. Outside of work, Helen enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to church, and reading.

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  • Bijal helps organisations to achieve their goals by implementing transformational strategies. She is committed to supporting growth and business development. Inspired by her father’s experience as a refugee, Bijal wanted to support a charity aiding refugees in rebuilding their lives. In her free time, she enjoys running, cycling, HIIT, yoga, reading, and Sudoku.

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  • Marian has volunteered with Upbeat Communities for eight years and has been inspired by the difference Upbeat can make in helping refugees rebuild their lives and find community. She is a hospital doctor caring for people with autoimmune and musculoskeletal conditions. Marian is married to Philip and has two grown up sons. In her spare time, she enjoys meeting up with friends and family, Pilates, going to the theatre and travelling.

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  • Tim is driven by the inspirational stories of people who have had to give up everything. He is inspired by Upbeat’s part in rebuilding the lives of participants and giving them a positive future. Tim works for Nottinghamshire Police, is married to Becca, and together they have two grown-up sons. He loves any kind of competitive sport, and plays and coaches basketball during his spare time.

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  • Kasemuka is inspired by the way Upbeat continues to create a welcoming and loving environment for refugees and asylum seekers.She is an accountant at a law firm and responsible for the global financial performance of a key business area. She provides insight on potential risks and opportunities facing the business, given from a financial lens. In her spare time Kasemuka enjoys reading, pilates and hiking. A life goal of hers is to climb mount Kilimanjaro!

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  • Gill was motivated to join Upbeat Communities after experiencing the difference a warm welcome can make to people struggling with navigating a new life in a new country. Hearing about Upbeat and their range of services for refugees and asylum seekers inspired her to apply to become a trustee. Gill works in the local Derbyshire community health trust as a transformation manager and is married with two children. Gill enjoys being part of a church community in Duffield and holds various roles there.

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  • Bashir is committed to creating opportunities for migrants and refugees, having worked in government and across the public sector in policy development, international advocacy, and program management. He is inspired by Upbeat’s mission to foster inclusivity as we help individuals to navigate resettlement challenges. Outside of work, he dedicates time to community projects, guiding travel experiences, and advocating for justice and equality.