Our Board of Trustees is made up of a strong female leadership team who have a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the voluntary/Charity sector. With expertise in health, social housing, community development and positive activism, they manage the activities of the food bank and make important decisions about how the food bank is run.
Chair of Trustees: Evelyn Asante-Mensah (OBE)
Evelyn is Chair of the Board and a Founding Trustee who has almost 30 years experience of working in
the Public, Voluntary and Community Sectors in Health and Social Care. She is currently Chair
of Pennine care NHS Foundation Trust and Arawak Walton Housing Association.
Vice Chair: Marie Hawkins
Marie has an extensive background and expertise in finance and Social Housing. Marie has been a Board
member since 2016 and supports operational delivery working alongside volunteers and team leading Foodbank sessions.
Treasurer: Gill Darling
Gill is a chartered accountant with over thirty years’ experience of working in the not-for-profit sector.
She’s been treasurer of Bridging the Gap (Manchester) since 2016 and also works as the finance manager
for a benevolent charity.
Secretary: Michelle McHale
Michelle is a community development, worker and activist with over 20 years’ experience of working in the not-forprofit sector. She’s has been secretary of Bridging the Gap (Manchester) since
2015. She supports both strategic and operational delivery of services. In
2018 she received a Social Responsibility Award from Manchester University for her services in
addressing and raising awareness of Youth violence. In 2020 she was recognised by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester for her services to the community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Board Member: Katy Bourne
Katy, whose expertise is in mental health, provides psychological assessment and care within the
community. Katy supports our operational delivery and works alongside our volunteers when team
leading Foodbank sessions. Katy has been a Board member since 2018.
Board Member: Sade Philips
Sade currently work as a project manager in Population health looking at tackling inequalities for
groups who have been disproportionately impacted my the Covid-19 pandemic.
Board Member: Rev Caroline Wickens
Caroline has been a Methodist minister since 1992 and currently leads the Manchester group of Methodist churches. She chairs the management committee of the Wesley Centre, where Bridging the
Gap is based, and has extensive experience of working across cultures in the UK and elsewhere. Caroline has been a Board member
since 2018.
