Gary Bowman, Manager

Gary Bowman

Manager

Gary Bowman is our manager. He has returned to the voluntary sector, his natural home, after 25 years experience of serving communities through leading on community development, community safety and neighbourhood regeneration and renewal for public sector led organisations in Sandwell, Birmingham and Burton.

Gary has a strong commitment to ensuring the voice of local people is heard and to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. He appreciates the vital role that schools play in local community life and sees Handsworth Association of Schools' huge potential to be a leading agency in schools' improvement, developing future citizens and tackling poverty and poor health.

Debz Bonnique, Project Engagement Manager

Debz Bonnique

Project Engagement Manager

Debz Bonnique is our Project & Engagement Manager. She is an experienced Education practitioner and Community Development Manager with over 30 years of experience within the Education and voluntary sector, predominantly with children and families across Birmingham.

Debz has also run her own business, providing a range of family learning and youth programmes for children, families and young people.

As an adult/college tutor it has always been very important for her to build positive links between home and school and the community, by creating opportunities for families and schools to work together. She was responsible for the co-ordination and development of a large outreach parent partnership team, which involved supporting and developing parents as co-educators. Her role as chair of Governors for two local schools, has given her an insight into the strategic and operational management of schools, which is very useful in her role at HAOS.

Debz is a positive person who believes anything is possible and always encourage and motivate others to believe the same.

Debbie Thomas, Administrator

Debbie Thomas

Administrator

Debbie Thomas is our Office Administrator. She has many years of experience working for the NHS in hospitals and for the Clinical Commissioning Group in varied roles as Executive Assistant, HR Adviser, Project Officer & Healthcare Assistant.

Debbie was a School Governor for over 12 years with a committed role as Chair of the staffing committee. She began working with HAOS as volunteer providing administration and project support.

Debbie has been a volunteer member of her local community group for residents in collaboration with the local Police, Councillors and MP in highlighting and responding to crime prevention and supporting safety procedures.

Debbie is passionate in supporting projects where the heart of the matter is for children, families and citizens.

Jennifer Clark, Food Hub Coordinator, Family support worker and Community Connector

Jennifer Clark

Food Hub Coordinator, Family support worker and Community Connector

Having worked in the local area for many years Jennifer has a positive relationship working in local schools. She has experience of managing afterschool school provisions for local children and Jennifer is committed to supporting family life and helping to support parents. Jennifer is responsible for managing and organising our food bank activity and promoting and developing the service through schools and community partners. As a Community Connector, Jennifer also has an outreach element to her work which means she can get to know our community better for the benefit of families.

Stephen Whitehead, Green Mentor

Stephen Whitehead

Green Mentor

Stephen Whitehead is a socially engaged/relational artist. His practise grows empathy with nature; developing environmental literacy and agency with concrete actions and a sense of community in that action. Collaborations have included scientific research, support of environmental N.G.O.s, biodiversity development, carbon reduction in institutions and art interventions in galleries, heritage sites and at major public events. In his role as Green Mentor at HAoS, Stephen supports Green Influencer groups in schools to develop Youth Social Action, through campaigns and practical action. In developing and running workshops and lessons in school to support these actions, Stephen encourages carbon literacy and critical thinking in the young people we support. Stephen’s knowledge, experience, expertise and enthusiasm provides a platform for our schools in teaching and learning, and personalised support… from building outdoor resources to whole school environmental auditing.