Michael Stuart
Michael works for a leading broadcaster, within the technology division, supporting content productions with continuous improvement and change through software implementation and new ways of working. Michael has consulted on key business changes to enhance production practices and better serve audiences.
Previously, Michael worked within HR for a major retailer, delivering HR Policy and Procedures, coaching staff, and recruitment of new talent, whilst advocating HR change. Michael also held the role of Charity lead with experience of corporate fundraising, supporting several charity partners across Manchester.
With a wealth of business change and a strong knowledge of HR Policy and Procedures, Michael is eager to support Our Room. Michael is committed to making a positive difference in the community, working as part of a team to deliver the mission and vision of Our Room.
Hayley Speed
Hayley is the Director of Services at akt, the national LGBTQ+ homelessness charity where she manages the regional and digital services delivery teams as well as being the Safeguarding Lead. Hayley has worked in the VCSE sector for over 20 years primarily working in Greater Manchester with rough sleepers and sex work communities.
Previously Hayley has been a Trustee of National Ugly Mugs, and managed and delivered services including outreach, needle exchange, sexual health, advocacy and case work. She is also a Clore Social Fellow in Homelessness funded by the Oak Foundation.
Imogen Blood
Imogen is a social worker turned researcher. She started out working in hostels and then as a drug worker in men’s prisons, where she first experienced creative approaches working alongside TIPP.
She went on to work as a researcher at NACRO and the University of Salford, then as an Equality & Diversity consultant at EW Group. In 2009, she set up her own social research consultancy, Imogen Blood & Associates which carries out research and evaluation projects on housing, homelessness, social care and arts-based approaches for central and local government, housing associations and charities.
Most of these projects involve listening to groups people who do not always get heard, and working to change policies and services in response to these.
Paul Pandolfo
Paul Pandolfo is a Director of Operations at Crisis the national homelessness charity. Prior to that he was at Shelter in senior leadership roles for just over 10 years. Earlier in his career he worked in the statutory sector, with both central and local government. He held jobs related to health education, substance misuse commissioning, services for young adults and housing and homelessness. Some of the themes of work, research and campaigning he has been involved with:
Systems change in relation to homelessness, including tracking and measuring impact; Linking frontline practice and local insights to policy and campaigns; Multiple disadvantage and equitable access to public services; Co-production, community-led research, particularly in relation to challenging discrimination and unfairness; The link between mental ill-health and homelessness; Creative engagement, Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE), art-therapy; Ending inequalities encountered by care experienced people; Education, training, and employment; tackling poverty and barriers to employment.
Paul is a qualified as a social worker and for a time worked for the probation service in London and Manchester, and it’s when he was there, he first started supporting the work of Our Room.
Luke Byrne
Luke is a registered nurse with over 16 years of healthcare experience, specialising in workforce strategy and operational management. As a board member of Our Room, Luke leverages his extensive NHS background, focusing on advocating for LGBTQ+ care and advancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion within healthcare settings. His experience spans various NHS roles, particularly in community health services and public health initiatives.
For the past nine years, Luke has overseen healthcare services across large regions, leading transformations in service delivery, optimising clinical governance, and driving innovative approaches to ensure equitable, high-quality care that addresses the needs of diverse communities. Currently Luke is the Assistant Divisional Director for Nursing, covering Sexual Health and HIV services across Cheshire and Merseyside, as part of a large NHS Trust.
Tom Hillsdon
Tom is a Project Manager at Good Things Foundation, the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity. He has experience in managing funded programmes delivering digital inclusion support in communities and internal change projects focused on improving the internal systems and processes. He is also a Staff-Elected Trustee at Good Things, working alongside the wider Board of Trustees to oversee strategy, governance and risk management for the charity. Outside of work, Tom volunteers for local charities in Manchester supporting people living with HIV and people from the LGBTQ community, and for arts festivals in the city.
