Meet the Team

Tafheen has been with HOST as a Trustee since 2015 and Vice Chair since 2017. She has been governing for over 15 years and has been trained as a National Leader in Governance (NLG) by the National College of Teaching and Leadership.

Tafheen is a Councillor for Mossley, and has served on Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council since 2016.

From 2011 to 2015, she was a member of Luton Borough Council, being lead cabinet member for Community Safety. She is also the former Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, leading on Community Engagement and Partnerships. She is dedicated to making a difference to communities and has founded a number of successful initiatives. In a relatively short period, she was recognised nationally and awarded “Young Councillor of The Year” by the Local Government Innovative Unit for showing energy, dynamism, and a fresh approach to making positive changes to communities.

In May 2023 she made history in becoming the first ethnic minority and Muslim to be appointed as Tameside’s Civic Mayor.

Tafheen has held a number of directorships and board level positions, including at a law centre, a housing association, and has also governed at a number of schools and colleges. She further serves as a Magistrate in Greater Manchester.  As well as her charitable and fundraising work Tafheen is a Patron for Willow Wood, a local hospice in Tameside.

I am a mother of two teenagers and know what an amazing job being a parent is but I also understand the challenges it brings and how important the right support networks are hence my interest in volunteering as a Trustee for Home-Start HOST. I have worked most of my life in the NHS first as a nurse and then moving into a career as a research manager. I am currently Head of Operations for an Applied Research Collaboration where I lead programme delivery, staff development, the budgets and our collaborations with the public and VCSFE sector.  I am pleased to be able to offer my skills and experience to the team.

Josie is an accredited member of the Chartered institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) and has an academic training in Psychology having studied to MSc level. Josie has several years’ experience working within the VCFSE sector for national and local charities, and is currently at Action Together CIO – the infrastructure organisation for Oldham, Tameside & Rochdale.

Josie is experienced in HR and volunteer management within the sector, and with a passion for learning and development is keen to use her skills and experience to support HOST in maintaining a committed and dedicated workforce that continues to provide excellent support to families with young children.  

Mary has been a Social Worker for nearly 50 years, mostly with children and families. She is a mother of 3 grown up children and has 4 grandchildren. She recently became a Mossley town councillor and a trustee of Emmaus Mossley, and is also involved with community gardening in Mossley. 

She is a keen knitter and is happy to have found a home for her baby blankets and hats for the families being supported by Home-Start HOST

Geoffrey is delighted to return to HOST after being a trustee from May 2015 to September 2021 including four years as Chair. He has many years experience of senior leadership and governance in schools and has been chair of two governing bodies. He has supported school improvement in assessment, health education and pupil wellbeing across the north of England and in the East Midlands.

He is currently a trustee and former chair of The Proud Trust, the UK’s foremost LGBTQ+ youth services charity. He is also a magistrate in Greater Manchester and a member of the Independent Monitoring Boards at two prisons. Since taking early retirement he can often be found travelling and has been known to join meetings from his hotel balcony.

Katrina brings over 12 years of experience in the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, where she has worked passionately to support families and empower communities. She began her career as a volunteer in a children’s theatre group, which ignited her passion for family support and community work. Katrina’s background includes roles as a CCE project director, university lecturer in project design, and volunteer coordinator.

Currently, Katrina is Programme Manager for Children and Families at Bolton Together, overseeing a range of early years and family support services. She is deeply committed to shared vision and collaborative decision-making, ensuring that services are designed with the community in mind.

As a trustee for Home-Start HOST, Katrina is proud to contribute to an organisation that aligns with her values of supporting families and creating life-changing volunteer opportunities.

Carolyn has supported HOST for many years, giving her time and expertise on our board.  She is now volunteering to help us raise our profiile and some much-needed funds.

Monica is volunteering her time and skills to help us raise our profile and generate fundraised income to support families.